I have a bad recurring rash from my hepatitis c.

Jimmy, hello and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry that you are experiencing this. Does it itch? If so, we have lots of posts regarding remedies for that. Are you on treatment for your hep C? Is hep C really the cause of the rash or could there be an allergic component? I don't recall anyone here mentioning a rash, but maybe someone will chime in. Meantime, continue the treatment your doctor is giving you, unless he can come up with something more effective.

Hugs,
Connie

Found the name: lichen planus
I do note that many of the articles say it is common in folks with Hep C, but some say it is not from the Hep C virus, and some say it seems to be very common in folks with Hep C.
Don't know if this is what you have, but this is what my hubby had...only the one time. He was miserable with the itching, although he thought maybe the itching was from all the mosquito bites. Hard to say now.
Angie1953

People have different reactions to different drugs. Prograf has never had an adverse side effect for me, except for some mild tremors when the dose was higher right after transplant and some hair thinning.

I've learned something new. The articles I've read also say that hep C can be a trigger and that tacrolimus (Prograf) is sometimes used to treat the rash.

I've had some itching in the middle of my back since transplant, but now that hep C is destroying my liver, the entire back and upper arms are intensely itchy. The cold, dry weather doesn't help. It is a really maddening itch that I would challenge anyone to resist scratching. The best thing I've found for this is a long, fine toothed comb. But in my next doctor appt., I am going to ask for Atarax for the itching.

Hugs,
Connie

"The specialist said it most likely will run it's course."

Well, that's good news!

Hugs,
Connie

I have always had horrible itching rashes during my 30 some years with hep C. Scratching the itch is almost better than sex in the relief it gives. Consider that our skin is our largest organ and with a free floating virus active in our body and a liver unable to deal well with toxins,, it would seem logical that the liver is effected. Plalnus is a yeast infection and sugars are verboten for hep c patients if you are trying to keep viral load down. My rashes mimick planus but is extremely active in the groin area. I have been told a number of reasons for this: is that our livers unable to remove toxins are forced to remove them through the skin and 2) that my lowered immune system leaves me open to all sorts of immune degenerative diseases. The cortisone creme and the prescription drugs designed to kill off planus or at least control the itches are only a quick fix. One either has to get rid of the virus via ribaviran and its companion drug, wait ffor the new hep C drug with no side effects in trials at NWestern University Hospital and made by Gilead Science or get a new liver.

Hi, Richard, and welcome to the forum! You picked up on an old thread, so I nearly missed you. I'd like to suggest that you start a new thread and introduce yourself and your situation to other members. Just click on New Topic instead of Reply and give it a title. We have lots here with hep C, including myself. I've had a transplant and still have itching...in fact, it only started AFTER transplant. My doctors don't want to prescribe cholestyramine or Atarax, as my labs don't indicate a bile problem. They recommended Zyrtec, which I will pick up on my next trip to the drugstore this Fri. I don't know if it will work, but I'm willing to try anything.

Have you had hep C treatment? They are holding off on it for me due to other medical problems.

You might want to check out the folder at the top of the page entitled Hepatitis Resources. Lots of good info in there.

Hugs,
Connie

Yikes Barry, I looked up the Steven Johnson syndrome, unfortunately it showed images ;(. Hope none of you ever have to learn about it. I was just being curious.

Anyway my brother's worst rash was, oddly enough, behind his knees and was quite a nuisance as you can imagine. The good thing is that they don't last forever :)

stevens johnsons i first heard of when learning about incivek. during trials for incivek, rashes had to be reported ASAP, because of the possibility of SJS. 2 patients died on tx, thus the black box warning for extreme side effects.

I've had lichen sclerosis for years since my first treatment with interferon and now have lichen planus all over my body but mostly in my mouth. Both are treated with steroidal creams, do not run their course or ease up without treatment. My specialist told me they are not yeast related and most definitely from a compromised immune system. Lichen planus in the mouth is extremely painful and the more often you get it the greater your chance of mouth cancer so I have to stay on top of it. It's hot and itchy elsewhere and I do find some relief from cortisone cream but only when I'm desperate.

I was dx'd w purigo nodularis right after my squamous cell ca dx's. The lesions from scc itched like hell, and now the PN is the same. My derm said the pn is related to hep c, and my gi said it wasn't.
2 derms have told me the scratch reaction, in humans, for itching,is much stronger than it is to lessen pain. I totally believe it. I have now progressed to a bottle brush ( very stiff) and is the best back and leg scratcher i have found. Yes, sometimes in my sleep I scratch till they bleed. My skin is covered in black marks or purple from bruising and the scratching. Can't wait till winter so I can cover with sweaters and flannel shirts (and eat delicious vege soup!!)-
Zoarie

Connie, I'm surprised they aren't giving you ursodiol. It helped me, especially right after the transplant. Then they stopped it, but now I'm back taking it. No itching, other than if my skin is dry.