The Rash

[M_Dillon]

I’ve had hep-c for about 40 yrs. I didn’t develop the rash until 6yrs ago. It comes and goes –stomach, back, and chest—and now up to the back of my head.
Has anybody had any luck treating the symptoms? The only thing that really works for me is Tylenol—but I only take it when the itching becomes unbearable.

Sounds like most of you are on treatment.
I’m not on any treatment, except lots of Milk Thistle.

The rash went mostly dormant for a few years—had the remnants of scabby bumps, but not the itching. Now it’s coming on strong.
I would appreciate any Ideas.

Also, has anyone had any luck treating fatigue—I have to drive a taxi all day and the No-Doze has many unwanted side effects—including, making the rash worse.

Thanks for your help.

Steve_C

[Anonymous225]

I had the rash which, like you, made life almost totally unbearable.  

The Hydrocortisone Cream was only temporarily relieving the irritation and the Benadryl only dried me out more than the Riba did.  The doctor eventually decided that I had too much acid in my system and put me on OTC Pepcid and it worked right up until I stopped using it and it came back with more zeal than the first time...so I went back on the Pepcid once a day and haven't had any problems since.

[TeeVee36]

I developed the 'rash' recently while on tx.  It is on my legs and upper arms and my dr prescribe hydrocortisone cream which seems to help and suggested benadryl for any itching.  

I use mild soap, and really good lotion for dry skin etc.

How do you feel about the Milk Thistle?  Do you feel like it is working/helping at all?

TV

[dperry10]

I had developed a small patchy spot on my low back years ago, after being dx with HepC, but never ever attributed it to the virus.  thought it was something I just developed from a tag on my pants or something.  but it came and went over the years.  I had gone thru tx 15 years ago, and had a viral breakthru.   I just completed 48 wks of tx as of Thanksgiving, and the rash during tx got really bad on my back area, and in other small spots here and there.  Since finishing tx, the rash has subsided, but still get some itchy bumps here and there .  The dermatologist gave me some creme to use, that has like 1% steriod creme .  It worked for the itching, but dryed the skin up bad, so used Eucerin to take care of that.. but had to keep using the Eucerin once it cleared or it would come back.

[Anonymous225]

I find that treatments and the side effects that are out of the ordinary can easily be fixed if you treat it like yourcomputer.  For example, when things start going awry with my computer I go back to a restore point...when things get awry with my tx, I just go back to what I was doing prior to things getting all squirrelly on me.

I have learned to simplify things...

[M_Dillon]

Thanks for all your help.

Yes, the Milk thistle seemed to help with my energy level. I was taking 300 mgs. of the  extract—I ran out and picked-up a bottle of the regular milk thistle—not extract and not as strong, and now that I think of it, not long after that the rash started back.

On my way to the store.

Steve

[pigeonca]

I found that milk thistle caused a terrible rash.  I became bright red and itchy.  When I stopped MT, the rash went away.

[tahoeunicorn]

I constantly itch guess due to TX. I use Oatmeal bath soap to help soothe my skin, dr. said to take benadryl for the actual itching. Then use a moisturizing lotion to help with the dry skin. DRINK LOTS OF WATER, it'll help keep your skin moisturized.

Good Luck
Tahoeunicorn