solutions for itching

[bebj]

I would appreciate any feed back of what everybody does for the itching.  So far, all I've taken is Benedryl and that isn't working anymore.  I have 5 months to go.  Thanks.

[JackieC007]

If you are itching and have Hepatitis C, it may be due to a buildup of bile. My husband is on a bile sequestrant called Welchol. It's kind of expensive and there is a less expensive med called colestipol. If you have Hep C, your liver is not able to process bile like a "normal" body would and it starts to accumulate, which makes you itch. No cream or rub is going to work if this is the case. The meds make your gastrointestinal system bind up the bile and then you poop it out. I'm not a doctor, but my husband has had Hep C for a very long time and I'm well acquainted with the "***** itches" as they are commonly and aptly called.

[charm27]

My remedy for itching was scratching!  LOL I scratched constantly...Benadry helped .
The creams didnt help me.

It will get better.
I rememeber that CONSTANT scratching on my face. Luckily I didnt have the rash .

Charm

[nygirl7]

Gold Bond Triple Threat AntiItch Medicated lotion worked great for me, it was the only thing that really helped me.  The thing is you can't just use it once a day.  You really have to make sure you keep your skin thoroughly hydrated otherwise it's some odd form of eczema the ribarash and it will make you nuts.  I itched so bad before I found it that I still have scars.  I put big bandages on the spots that I was itching becuase I was like a kid with chickenpox I could NOT stop myself!

And you can't stop as soon as the rash goes away or it will come back...keep doing it.

Of course some rashes are not the typical ribarash - then you need  a dermatologist to take care of it with a prescription.  But for the general old rash.....any good lotion that is nice and thick and won't wash/wear off easily should help a lot.

And also hydrocortizone .1% like you would use for a kid with cpox and also the oatmeal bath aveeno stuff are great to use in addition to the regular applications of lotion.

[tbd1046]

I itched for 2 yrs.  I took Benadryl for awhile then was prescribed another antihistamine.  Finally was prescribed Cholestyramine.  It all but totally eliminated the itching.

[PegOnPeg]

This is another one of those things that's different for everyone.  I tried the gold bond...it did nothing for me...Aveeno, oatmeal, nothing touched it.

I went to topical cortisone...2-3% over the counter stuff....that's the only thing that gave me relief....then, after about 6 weeks, the itching & rash just went away...and it's one of the sides that never came back.

Of course, then my hair started falling out....

[Kathy73]

Last November I started treatment. I am now 46/48. I found information on this forum (RockerforLife) 9+ months ago that a filter for clorine elimination/reduction on your showerhead may help prevent the skin dryness that in turn may cause or irritate riba rash. I have used this filter on my shower and never got the rash. I have extremely sensitive skin and used Lubriderm twice a day and the clorine filter and went the entire winter/spring/summer treating for Hep C.

[meakea]

Itching was a huge problem for me when I was on TX (I'm currently 6.5 weeks post treatment).  In fact, some days I thought the itching was going to make me lose my mind.  I found that taking a bath with Aveeno oatmeal powder in the water (actually I used the Walmart generic version which is cheaper) helped temporarily.  I tried using the Goldbond lotion that seems to work for most people but I had a sensitivity to the menthol in that lotion so I used Cetaphil lotion instead.  

I used children's liquid benadryl and it helped for a period of time and then it stopped working so I switched to Zyrtec and that seemed to help me a lot.  The Zyrtec is a 24 hour thing so I just took one every day.  

Along with the itching my skin was super sensitive to touch so I had to be very picky about what type of clothing I wore to work.

[tashka]

Sarna lotion helps very well with itching.

[copyman]

try goldbond extra strength lotion. it is in a green btl with red cap. also oatmeal baths work good.

[jonney4141]

benedryl did not work for me. my itching was insane!!!!!!!!!!!! i developed rash on lower leg, upper arms and doc sent me to dermatologist. doctor give me script for atarax and that helps me to this day. also don't use hot water in shower or bath, and i used to shower everyday, but do every other day if i can get away with it. make sure you put lotion on such as aveeno, eucerin, cetaphil, i also use natural soap. all of this info was given to me by the people in this forum, and i am so thankful for these people. also do not go in sun and if you do wear sunblock, and cover yourself up, including head. hope this helps.

[mpace6983]

Are you taking the benedryl tablets or the rub on solution? if your taking the tabs and 50mg isnt stopping the itch. you may need to go to a dermatologist for some strong streoid cream or some prednisone tabs. I know that itching can be a *****. GOOD LUCK

[14cheri]

Everybody tells me more water. That does not reallly help me. I take benadryl also. It is so hard to make myself drink water all day. Ben and lotion is all that helps me some!!!!! LOL I am scratching as we speak