Riba Rash HELP!

Question

Hi everyone!

I completed treatment on 1.27.11 and I am still struggling with itching and open sores.
I had been using Gold Bond Triple therapy but I have recently switched to Eucerin Calming Cream.
Does anyone have experience with this rash?
How long before my Neuts and WBC's come up to help with the healing process?
Will I continue to break out as I am noticing new areas of break out now?
The majority of this is on my back and sides with a few on on legs and arms.
Is the rash aggravated by sweating while sleeping?
Although the itching does not keep me awake when I am awake I want to rip my skin off.
I know ribavirin half life is rather long, so will this continue until the riba is completely out of my system?

Thanks so much for your help!

Gee704 · Answer

Four months post treatment many of the sores are healing and appears to be subsiding. However it seems there are a few more starting as well mostly on my shoulders. I think nygirl got it right for what I have with speaking to her autoimmune eczema. I looked at images of this rash and I do think that is what I have. I did see a derm about a month ago but that trip was a waste of time as he said there was nothing he could do for me.

As the rash subsides it leaves a red blotch but that too diminishes with time. I am really hoping I never have a repeat breakout again as my entire back was nearly covered with this mess.

wandalee · Answer

i too just developed this rash, i completed my 24wk tx on may 8th and within a week i started getting red blotches on my chest and neck, thinking it was only an allergic reaction , then i started getting tiny almost blister looking bumps on my arms and hands, now today those just showed up on my lower legs, my head is now starting to tich as well. the doc yesterday just gave me a steriod for 5 days but doesnt seem to be helping since it got worse since lastnight. since reading about this riba rash, makes me cry and so upset. does this ever go away?

Gee704 · Answer

Thanks so much for all the great advise!
I wouldn't have started nor made it through treatment without this community.

Fnzol · Answer

Triamcinolone.

This.  It's a miracle cure for riba rash.  Get some.

paen53 · Answer

The other thing that's springs to mind, especially with the back and sides involvement is shingles as it usually strikes the trunk areas. With the anti-virals, you wouldn't think so, but just putting it out there in case. 

Good luck to you!  Pam

cakes8267 · Answer

I had to get Triamcinolone.  Prescribed by my regular doc, its a steroid.  It completely took away the itching.

CoWriter · Answer

See a dermatologist since it could be a yeast infection or something else that can be taken care of with the proper medication.

Co

spectda · Answer

I don't have any answers about the rash. I hope it resolves soon for you. 

I wanted to congratulate you on completing tx and wish you the best luck. I hope we will be hearing svr before long from you.

Dave

nygirl7 · Answer

You may want to go to a dermatologist at some point if it doesn't clear up - I myself developed autoimmune eczema towards the end of treatment - thought it was the same old ribarash until I had practically ripped the skin off my face, hands and over my ankles. I tried everything. Finally I was so desperate I went to the doctors and he went "holy God what the hell happened to you??!" sent me straight over to the derm who gave me a script for Fluticozane (I believe that is what it was called) and the itch completely and totally went away immediately. Still I getthe eczema in the same exact spots sometimes but at least I know what to do about it.

meakea · Answer

You might want to try taking Benadryl or Zyrtec during the day to help with the itching.  Zyrtec has less of a drowsy affect than Benadryl.  Also keep up with the lotion.  Gold Bond didn't agree with me so I used the Eucerin Calming Cream and/or Aveeno oatmeal lotion.  I also took a lot of baths with the Aveeno oatmeal powder.  

You should start to notice a gradual improvement the longer you are off meds.  I noticed that I had the cracks behind my ears for several months after treatment ended but the rash itself went away quite quickly (thank goodness).  I remember wanting to scratch my skin off too, just as you said.  

Hang in there...it will get better.  You're on the good side of treatment now.  :)

RobertBeWell · Answer

Riba is long-lived in the body because it permeates the red blood cells. Then, as they gradually die and are replaced by new ones (4-6 months) the levels slowly drop off.

I think most people start experiencing some subsidence of symptoms in a few weeks, but it should keep getting better and better as time goes on. Same thing with the other hematology parameters.

It's rough stuff, give yourself time to heal. 

RBW

Gee704 · Answer

Thanks James!
Congratulations to you as well!
Here's to our joint SVR....
It'll be great to share the "dragon dust" with you!

James10500 · Answer

Hey congrats on finishing we finished on the same day !  I'm still using Gold Bond seems to work. But rashes in the same places aggravated by the same things.