Riba Rash & red painful shot reactions

[NancyPF]

I'm in week 16 of treatment and in the last four or five days have developed a rash over most of my body.  It itches a little, but is mostly just stingy and painful.  I've been trying the extra strength Gold Bond (green bottle) but it seems to be making it worse so I've stopped using that for now.  Anyone have any suggestions?  I also notice that where I give my shots on my stomach has gotten pretty red and sore.  Is this something I need to go to the doctor for?

Thanks guys for any info you can provide.  It's driving me crazy!!!

Nancy

[CMcH]

I tried many things. It seemed to be aggravated by the sun. A prescription ointment I used seemed to work better than lotions and potions. It still comes and goes but never leaves completely. Drink lots of water and keep your skin covered from the sun.
Good luck this is one of my least favorite sides.

[NancyPF]

Thanks everybody for the invaluable information.  I'll keep experimenting and see what works.

Nancy

[orleans]

The gold bond didn't work for me either (too much menthol!) I just started trying different ones (aveeno was too thick for me) Right now I have settled on Cetaphil (spelling?) the kind in the jar. The most important thing I have found is to STAY on top of it! When I get lazy the rash comes back with a vengence! jerry

[mkp13]

Yeah, Aveno lotion helps.  Sounds like you have what I called "the itchies".  They're a real pain, partly because they make it hard to sleep.  The good news is that if you're like me, they don't last all that long.  I got 'em about week 13 and they faded most of the way in 3-5 days.  They're not gone completely, but now they're intermittent and only in isolated little patches.  Mine had little bumpities in them as well as being more redish than the skin around them.  The really odd thing is that the itching and bumps come on fast.  So fast that when the itching starts I can watch the bumps rise.  It takes 2-3 minutes.  Weird!  I presume this is a side-effect of ribavirin.

[NancyPF]

Thanks so much for the info.  I will get the Aveeno and see what happens.  Doesn't sound like I need to spend the $20 to see the doc at this point.

Thanks again,

Nancy

[meakea]

I get a worse skin reaction from my shots when I inject in my thighs.  My stomach injections just turn red but don't bother at all, however, the thigh injections puff up and get hot.  I will do shot No. 10 tonight and I can still see each and every injection site for the previous 9.  I pretty much try to leave the areas alone and when I accidentally rub them from an itch it makes them worse.

I use Aveeno products (shower and lotion).

My NP seemed unimpressed by my injection sites too so I'm just trying to ignore them.

Best of luck to you.

[Isobella]

I just did #15 and I had to quit doing my shots in the stomach area about 4 weeks ago because the injection sites turn into big sore itchy red blotches that wont go away.  I inject in my hip area now and it doesnt get so bad. My entire stomach and back area look red-like a sunburn, but it doesnt itch much.

I have found that an unscented organic lotion does not irritate the area-even seems to calm it.  And I use aveeno in the bath.  I did show it to my nurse and she seemed unimpressed because it doesnt bother me much.  

Call the doc or not???  You gotta listen to your body and go with your gut feelings...if it is bothering you, or worrying you, it wont hurt to call.  May put your mind at ease or they could maybe call you in something to calm it.

Good luck...hope you feel better soon.

Isobella