What causes the rash ?

[jjhvc]

The doc said it was the Interferon. I've heard it is the Rib.
Anyone know HOW the TX is causing the rash???? It might be helpful knowing how to treat this side effect.
Scraching like my dog this summer.

[sanpena710]

I was on treatment for 6 months and had to quit because of the rash. I tried EVERYTHING.. and like everyone said.. the sweating makes it worse and at night was bad too. I had a rash covering my entire body, even my scalp. I am really sensitive to even mosquito bites so that's probably why it was intolerable for me. After 6 months of treatment I quit and my virus at that point was undetectable but after a month my doc wanted me to return to check my levels and it was back to where I started orginally. My treatment didnt' work. I've been with this disease probably 20+ years and my level of the virus was pretty low. My liver was at stage 1 with no fibrosis ...and I was a  drinker .. I did my partying in my days. I did the treatment back in 2003. Slowed down on my drinking a lot and now I am waiting for something new to come on the market. I feel fine, thank God. I wish you the best. I've heard lots of sucess stories and they give me hope that one day I'll be cured too. Best wishes and stay strong.. you might be one of the lucky ones!!!

[Isobella]

Oh, yes...the heat is definately the enemy now. I don't know which drug causes it-but I can tell that sweating makes me start itching.

August in Florida-let's just say that I don't go out much during the day.  And I am only in week 2 of tx. Thankfully September is right around the corner.

Triamcinlone works wonders and using an organic moisturising (sp) lotion through out the day helps alot.

Try to stay cool and keep us posted.

Isobella

[DennisTM]

When I had it and finally did go see a dermatologist, he said it was mostly dry skin, he prescribed me a compound of Triamcinlolne cream and Auqaphilic, then Clobetasol for the really bad spots. The Auqauphilic cream really helped keep my skin moist and the rash cleared up in a week, the itching was terrible. My GI Dr. let it go for too long and then when it looked like I was scarring she said I should see a Dermatologist. I don't know what causes it but the heat really beat me up in the last weeks of treatment. I am now on my second week without and feeling alot better. I see the Dr. today.

[Andiamo1]

It depends on what type of rash you have.  The most common is dry skin caused by both Ribaviron and Interferon.  Interferon can trigger autoimmune problems if you have latent autoimmune problems.  This can result in Psoriasis or other rashes like dermatitis.

Telaprevir can cause a much more serious rash, but it is rare.

[CMcH]

I have been told it is a Riba rash but who knows and does it really matter. The rash ***** though! Mine seems to be aggravated by the sun even through the windshield of a car. My doc gave me a script for Triamcinlolne cream and it seems to help. It will come back in a flash if you don't stay on top of it though. When I read up on Chemo it said that it attacks rapidly reproducing cells. Like Cancer, skin, hair, mouth, intestine, WBC and RBC. It kills it all! So that made more sense to me why the rash and mouth sores. I am only 12 weeks in so there are many who know much more than I. Hang in there sometimes it gets better.

[toughluck]

Are you in a Vertex trial if so could be the trial drug, if not I think it is a combo of the Riba and Interferon. Try Aveno oatmeal bath, Gold Bond and Cortisone 1% on the bad spots good luck.