Hello , New here

  I usually go to the Chronic Pain Forum , but I have Hep C and wanted to ask  a question . I've had Hep C for maybe 15 years now more or less . Does Hep C discolor your skin ? I have Cellulitis problems with my lower legs but my calves an especially the top part of my feet became dark all of a sudden a year ago and I can't get them to lighten back to their natural color . I had hip replacement surgery , which was the reason I was in Chronic pain . Thats been eliminated since the surgery but now I'm dealing with the discoloring and incessant itching . Has anyone else expierenced this ? Thanks any input would be greatlt appreciated . Mikel 

Hi, Mikel.  I'd say welcome to the forum, but I think you've posted here before.

I had the same thing happen to my calves after bilateral hip replacement.  They were a mottled dark red with a yellow tone.  I was told that it was iron that was settling there, though I don't know how accurate that was.  I believe it's a circulation issue, too.  When I started walking more, it went away, though it took over a year.  The itching could be liver related.

Hugs,

Connie

Mikel, liver disease causes itching because of toxins and salts in the body that are not being filtered properly by the damaged liver.  Try Gold Bond lotion for the itching.  Hep C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and end-stage liver disease (ESLD.)

Hugs,

Connie

   Thanks Sue for the further explanation , its appreciated . Also thanks Dany , I'll check into the advice about iron , I had pressure because of Cellulitis so I think what you said makes sense , also I'm am expierencing dryness os the skin like never before , so I'll take in that info about staying hydrated .You guys are great ! Thanks again , Mikel

Mikel,

Florida welcoming you to the forum also.

My hubby has had some of your issues. And we have had some recommendations that worked. He takes cholestyramine after meals. It is a powder that you mix up like tang. It has sent the itching away completely. One Hep doc said it was something about the bile salts causing puritis and he has stopped scratching holes in his arms in his sleep! Thank goodness.

And here is one I never heard before and we haven't tried. Warm swimming pool. Get in for one hour a day up to your chest. It reduces edema...something about balancing the pressure outside and inside and the fluids that are not returning to the heart actually DO start to return to the heart, especially if the chest is covered. This was from the PA in the Hep Drs office...so not just any old person.

Also we got a cream from the dermo for the dry skin. I'll get the name tomorrow and post it. From red scaley patches on his legs after an especially bad edema episode, patches that were nearly bleeding, they are soft and smooth again and the dark tinge is nearly gone!

Mama Lama