Aa
shin rash
can anyone give me some ideas on how to make my skin stop itching? i have a rash on my chest and back.its driving me crazy. my daughter put some lotion on it & that helped a little. this is keeping me up. i cant sleep cuz it hurts.thank you ahead of time for any advice.
thank u everyone for the ideas and advice. it was only on my back & chest but now its also all over my neck and face. it red & splachie. it looks bad. im not leaving my house till im done now...LOL LOL LOL. no i wont do that but i have to joke about this or it will depress me . love to all
irish
irish
Well, that's a turn up for the books! Here in NZ we usually have much more stringent rules on what you can and can't buy over the counter.
I agree! I have noticed the chlorine smell and at times it is much stronger than others. It makes sense to me that it would irritate my skin. I'm going to look for a filter. Anything chemically really irritates me these days.
I hope you don't have shares in the filter company, Rock? (just joking!)
I hope you don't have shares in the filter company, Rock? (just joking!)
I believe that Rocker has a very good argument there. I have noticed a difference since I started using a shower filter in April. And no more chlorine smell in the shower.
Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan are all brand names for the active ingredient of promethazine hydrochloride. Here in NZ it is sold over the counter but I don't know about the States.
You'll have to google the active compound (promethazine hydrochloride) to find the brand names in the States.
You'll have to google the active compound (promethazine hydrochloride) to find the brand names in the States.
I would like to add that I also bought clothes detergent that is FREE of everything (dyes, scents, etc) and I just started using that. It's more expensive but I figure I want to get this itch under control any way I can.
After reading Marcia's posts, I also made up my own concoction for skin care: coconut oil, shea butter, castor oil, and some essential oil (lavender and some others in very small amts). I've never had dry skin, and my skin had become like parchment, esp on trunk, arms, and thighs, and I had red patches with itching and burning. My skin care cream helped at first, but it did not seem to really absorb well. An hour after applying it I needed to apply it again!
My PA recommended a cream called CeraVe. It has a barrier effect, actually coats the skin and has worked wonders for me. It's very mild and unscented (it had been suggested to her for her baby with eczema). I still like my own blend and use it too but the CeraVe prevents my skin from getting quite so bad. I found it at the hospital pharmacy, and others have purchased it online. Didn't find it in local drug store.
I remember someone here saying that Atarax was good for the itching. It is a prescription drug and I have not tried it.
Best of luck to you.
My PA recommended a cream called CeraVe. It has a barrier effect, actually coats the skin and has worked wonders for me. It's very mild and unscented (it had been suggested to her for her baby with eczema). I still like my own blend and use it too but the CeraVe prevents my skin from getting quite so bad. I found it at the hospital pharmacy, and others have purchased it online. Didn't find it in local drug store.
I remember someone here saying that Atarax was good for the itching. It is a prescription drug and I have not tried it.
Best of luck to you.
That sounds about like my first rash started out, too. I immediately stopped using soaps. I mostely take baths, so I added Aveeno. I used a prescriptions hydrocortosone cream for about 2 days to get it under control....then any lotions with no added ingredients like scents or anything.
I was using benedryl at night because of course that is when the itching is worse, but you do have to be careful because it can cause you to dry out even more. The spray works good, too, I have found that atarax helps me best. My only itchie spot now is my scalp and neck...and the atarax knocks that right out-added bonus is it helps me sleep better too.
Hope you get some relief =)
Isobella
I was using benedryl at night because of course that is when the itching is worse, but you do have to be careful because it can cause you to dry out even more. The spray works good, too, I have found that atarax helps me best. My only itchie spot now is my scalp and neck...and the atarax knocks that right out-added bonus is it helps me sleep better too.
Hope you get some relief =)
Isobella
I'm in the same stage of the rash as you are...it's crazy!!! I started with the itches at about week 3-4 but I never had the visible rash until about a week ago and then it appeared out of nowhere and it's ugly. My entire abdomen and back are covered in a red blotchy rash...not the pimply bumpy stuff but just a red blotchy rash that itches like crazy.
I had been using Aveeno lotions but I gave up on those and now I'm using Triple Gold Bond lotion (green bottle with red cap) and it helps and I also bought Eucerin cream that I'm using in the non itchy areas to try to prevent more itching. I also bought Aquaphilic which is a very good cream for dry skin (though my skin isn't really dry yet). You might have to ask the pharmacy counter for the Aquaphilic because they sometimes keep it back behind the counter because it's what the phamacists use as a base cream when they mix prescription creams. This is NOT a prescription.
I am also going to go out today to buy some Benedryl spray b/c it's listed on the instructions sheets that I originally got from my doc for side effect relief.
Good luck to you...I know what you're going through.
I had been using Aveeno lotions but I gave up on those and now I'm using Triple Gold Bond lotion (green bottle with red cap) and it helps and I also bought Eucerin cream that I'm using in the non itchy areas to try to prevent more itching. I also bought Aquaphilic which is a very good cream for dry skin (though my skin isn't really dry yet). You might have to ask the pharmacy counter for the Aquaphilic because they sometimes keep it back behind the counter because it's what the phamacists use as a base cream when they mix prescription creams. This is NOT a prescription.
I am also going to go out today to buy some Benedryl spray b/c it's listed on the instructions sheets that I originally got from my doc for side effect relief.
Good luck to you...I know what you're going through.
Since during a 10 minutes shower your skin can absorb the same amount of chlorine that you would absorb by drinking tap water for a whole day long, we believe that is imperative for every citizen to own a wellness shower filter. Simply because this the best when it comes to chlorine removing shower filters.
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/can-a-chlorine-removing-shower-filter-really-be-a-wellness-shower-filter-476577.html
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/can-a-chlorine-removing-shower-filter-really-be-a-wellness-shower-filter-476577.html
DO-NOT use commericail soaps...they will rot your skin...and the artificial scents are cancer causing.....FACT
The first time you use the shower filter you will notice your tub wont have any scum bulid up either....it removes the pond scum....LOL,,,inside joke
BTW....you breath in more chlorine in one shower tru the lungs than drinking 8 ounces of water.....FACT
Ya might wanna install a filter to your shower nozzle ...the chemicials in the water ,especially the chlorine will cause britlle hair and dry skin...ive been using one for 5 years now....you will see a BIG difference if you do this...they cost 50 bucks and last 2 years taking 2 shower a day...i take 1 shower a day...for me 4-5 yers mine last.....a good deal if ya ask me....go out and get one...you are worth the one dollar a month....by my calculations at 50 bucks over 4 years
I didn't get the "rash" but I did itch a bit and found relief in a thick shea butter/cocoa butter cream (over the counter at Walmart of all places)...Marcias concotion sounds like a winner...add some evening primrose oil as it is also very good for mature skin and healing.
As well as making sure you are moisturizing your skin externally, also remember to drink enough water, and try taking some Coconut Oil internally as well, helps to keep hair and skin supple.
If you are really struggling you could also try using an antihistamine at night to help the itch and help you sleep.
I found promethazine (Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan) to be most effective for my itchy skin. Be careful with using them too much because they can dehydrate you even further, and I found myself becoming a bit grumpy and groggy the next day. But it was a welcome relief from the scratching at the time. I'm not using them at the moment but I keep them by my bed just in case.
You could also try using a 10% urea cream twice a day, all over.
And for those nasty burning, stinging ones that feel like bee stings I have found a small amount of hydrocortisone cream very soothing. Once again, don't use it too often as it thins the skin.
And finally, sometimes I use a chilled flannel or ice pack on the itchy area (esp if it's my face) and that helps to calm it down quite quickly. And having a refreshing cool shower...
Good Luck!
If you are really struggling you could also try using an antihistamine at night to help the itch and help you sleep.
I found promethazine (Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan) to be most effective for my itchy skin. Be careful with using them too much because they can dehydrate you even further, and I found myself becoming a bit grumpy and groggy the next day. But it was a welcome relief from the scratching at the time. I'm not using them at the moment but I keep them by my bed just in case.
You could also try using a 10% urea cream twice a day, all over.
And for those nasty burning, stinging ones that feel like bee stings I have found a small amount of hydrocortisone cream very soothing. Once again, don't use it too often as it thins the skin.
And finally, sometimes I use a chilled flannel or ice pack on the itchy area (esp if it's my face) and that helps to calm it down quite quickly. And having a refreshing cool shower...
Good Luck!
I use VCO (virgin coconut oil) and thick body butter. I have found that my own mixture I make is the best for me. Shea butter, coconut butter a few drops of lavender, patchouli and rose essential oils. Patchouli and rose are good for mature skin and the lavender calms irritated skin, so it's actually the lavender which is more needed in the mix. I have also experienced that exfoliating regularly helps. I put on my body butter when my skin is still moist, as it helps lock in moisture. I still itch, but it comes in bouts and is not driving me crazy as when I am not using this. And it takes care of the stinging/burning for me too. And when it starts I put on some more.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
