Rash remedies anyone?

[nerja2007]

13th week on tx - a horrible rash on my stomack, back and chest, even neck. Any advice how to deal? I work in a restaurant, didn't tell anyone about my tx, but the rash has to be addressed or I lose my job :-((((( Help

[fingerusarthriticus]

thanks! Don't care if you work for Gold Bond. Stuff worked!

[nerja2007]

god, that didn't help much :-)))))))

[ladybug52]

I started getting hives and rashes before I quit tx, and mine continued after I quit the meds. I finally had to go to my PCP and get a shot of steroids to stop the itching.
The itching was really driving me crazy, I used aveeno oatmeal in the bath. On my skin I tried gold bond and gold bond with shea butter was my favorite.
My itching turned into the histine reaction from hell! My dr tried all kinds of meds, atarax, benadryl, and some others, I can't think of the names. I just remember the misery. It was like my body went haywire towards the end.
I"m really comforting right? I'm prone to allergic reactions, hives, and excema on my elbows. Stress makes the hives and excema worse.
Regarding the hydrocortisone, my dr said it was ok in the over the counter strength.
Good luck!
Bug

[nerja2007]

does the rash go immediately after tx is finished?

[pigeonca]

I found that undies without raw elastic edges really helped.  There's a company on the Internet that makes a brand called "clean undies."  They helped a lot.  Also I put the underwire bras in the closet and replaced then with sports bras that had no raw elastic edges, and this helped as well.  My figure looked a bit less perky, but it was well worth it.

And then, as others have noted, you may need to play around with creams, ointments and antihistamines - start with over the counter.  It that doesn't work, a dermatologist can provide you with more potent remedies.  Good luck and feel better.  The spots will fade when you finish treatment, if not before.

[nerja2007]

Yes, I have the same issue- it is flaring all over where the clothes rub against the skin. You know very funny, a week ago I posted a comment that I lost all my baby weight and how my husband is l;oving it and we are having the second honeymoon...... well now I look like a leopard and around the undies area is covered in something so horribly looking that you must be crazy to fancy anyone with that.... I must have jinxed myself ;-((((((

[Marcia2202]

ROFL

[Andromedae]

"CHuck the undies.... ;-)"

Can't.  starting July 1 , California passed a new law forbidding that sort of thing.  Something to do with Britney Spears.

andromeda

[Marcia2202]

CHuck the undies.... ;-)

[Andromedae]

Oh yes one more thing .....
I noticed that he rash is worse (MUCH worse) where my underwear contacts or rubs against my skin  (eat your hearts out guys) .  So I am thinking that for some ungodly reason the Riba has made me allergic to something in my laundry soap or softener ???  Maybe?  Someone here (marcia maybe) mentioned that could happen .

I'm going to switch to a hypo allergenic laundry detergent and cut out fabric softener.  I don't know how I'm going to live without fabric softener.  Scratchy undies.  I mean it's not like I'm not cranky enough lately, you know?

[Andromedae]

The rash is kicking my butt too.  I mean literally.  It's ALL over my butt.  Under my arms too and around my inner thighs too.  Hasn't itched much so far (comig on week 3) but it's starting.  

My skin isn't dry (yet anyway) and the gold bond triple cream didn't do much of anything for me (I usually use Aveno every morning anyway) .  I tried taking half a benedryl tab tice a day bit it made me too foggy - and foggy isn't what I need right now.  I just bought some hydrocortisone cream (which I know that you can't use) and that actually seems to be helping some.  Used it last evening and the rash is less angry this morning.  Different things work on different people I know.  Well see where this goes.  

FWIW

[Marcia2202]

If you want to use oil, try some VCO, virgin coconut oil. It's great for the skin, it's great in food.  Marcia

[nerja2007]

I tried to put some oil (just found some unperfumed massage oil in  my bathroom) this morning, and it seemed to give me some relief... which is great, I will go and get some baby oil now, see if it will help. I think I am allergic to hydrocortazone too, rita, it just made it all scarlet red after a short time. Maybe the key is moisturising, not medicating?

Will update in some time- I decided not to take anything, just water and plenty of oil on my skin. see if that works

[Marcia2202]

The problem is that the Benadryl we have in Europe is not the same as you have in the States. So she really would need to ask the pharmacy or doctor first.

Marcia

* In the U.S., Benadryl is diphenhydramine, a first generation antihistamine. It is also formulated in combination with other active ingredients and sold under variations of the Benadryl name.

    * In the U.K., Benadryl Allergy Relief is acrivastine, a second generation antihistamine.
    * In the U.K., Benadryl Once a Day is cetirizine, a second generation antihistamine.

[w.c. missy]

i had a horrible/itchy rash too.  finally i quit using all lotions, took only cool showers or cool aveeno oatmeal baths, i became allergic to the cortisone cream the doctor prescribed, (it just made it worse), wore very light clothing, and basically laid low for 3 days.  i was also given a prescription for atarax (?), which helped, and i took an anti-anxiety (per doctors orders).  being in the sun is a big "no-no", and the heat also seemed to make it worse.  mine was really bad for about 10-14 days, then once i did the 3 day "no lotions, etc..." it seemed to pass.  hang in there!

good luck,
w.c. missy

[rita863]

Have you tried bendryl, thats for an allergic reaction.  It helps some people.  If the moistures you are using is making it more red i would not use it.  You want to use someting without perfumes, that may have an anti itch in it.  Hyrdocortosone did not work for me.  Take cool showers and try a cream that perhaps a druggist can recommend and perhaps the benadryl.  Wear cotton if you can.  I sleep in white cotton tee shirts.

From what i understand being on treatment our immune system is compromised. Maybe someone else can add to that.

good luck
peace

[Marcia2202]

No, I have no idea if it could be worsened by hormonal changes. It kind of makes sense though. But the sure thing is that you have the Riba rash... It is one of the most common side effect of Ribavirin. Some only have it a little, others have it terribly much.

I really hope that you will find something that works for you. If not your doctor might prescribe something oral, like a antihistamine.

Good luck, am going to sleep now. It's almost 2.30 here. Marcia

[nerja2007]

Yes, that what I was thinking. If I react that badly to the cream, I should leave it alone. Will pop in to a health store soon. You know I was always concerned about sx like depression, or anemia, and here is a dark horse...... I wonder if the rash has smth to do with periods. I noticed that I always had dandruff before my periods started and the skin was bad, I wonder if the rash could be a sign of weaker immune system during this time. Any thoughts/ observations on the matter?

[Marcia2202]

I don't think that is normal. You are trying to achieve exactly the opposite. If you get scarlet red, It seems like you are reacting to something which is in the cream. I would stop using it and I would try and get something perfume free. Really, try the health food store for some organic non irritant stuff.

Marcia

[nerja2007]

My hepatologyst advides me Clarytin, and I got an impression they didn't really know what to do. They said only 2 patients developed rash and in one of those cases they had to stop treatment. I wish I could stop treatment, since I am clear since 4 weeks on tx, but I am afraid to relapse and will have to do it all again

[nerja2007]

Marcia, thank you for support
I have aveeda cream  with menthol for itchy skin, but \i noticed every time I moisturise, I turn scarlet red. Maybe it is normal?

[Marcia2202]

Green People make some good products. Check it out, you should have it as it is a UK brand. We even have it in Denmark.

[Marcia2202]

How about the hepatologist or clinic who is treating you. They should be the most knowledgeable about what to give for side effects. Also, you need to get a super hydrating cream. If you can get something in the health food store. Something organic with no irritants. I would give it a try. It might help.

Marcia

[nerja2007]

not yet. here in ireland the general practticioners are pretty worseless. Sorry if anyone is an Irish GP, I had very bad experiences here. It's like they do not care... so people go to pharmasists. Mine looked at the rash, said it is not that bad and offered me hydrocortisone cream to try. I did, but I am still itchy and I am just paranoid that the rash is spreading... I work in a restaurant, there is no way I should have a visible rash.... I only started this new job and I really need to keep it, so you can imagine the stress. Hope nobody noticed me itching all the time