RIBA RASH AND BLISTERS

[sharasmile]

HI ALL MY HEPPER FRIENDS,

HAVE A QUICK QUESTION , HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED RIBA RASH TO THE POINT OF IT TURNING TO BLISTERS?

THIS HAS SPREAD TO MY BACK ,LEGS,FINGERS ARE SWOLLEN EVERYTHING ITCHES !!!!

I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED AND NOTHING IS WORKING...

IF I CAN'T GET THIS IN CHECK MY DOC. IS GOING TO STOP TX.

I ONLY HAVE 3 SHOTS LEFT BUT WOULD STILL LIKE TO GET TO THE END OF THIS...

IF ANYONE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW..

THANKS SHARASMILE

[pete c]

 HI SHARASMILES

 Woo that sounds like no fun at all.  !st are you drinking lots and lots of water ansd other good stuff for not haveing any medical knowledge   I will let this up to those who do . I will keep you in my prayers my friend

                                                               pete

[willy]

I'm late and need to keep thid short, but here are a few ideas;

Don't STOP treatment; treat the sides!!
If the sides can't be treated...... might a dosage reduction work instead of stopping TX?  I would also think that one might be able to stop riba but continue the interferon.  RBV stays in your system longer and may also do its "heavy lifting" at the beginning of TX; less so at the end.  Ask your doctor.

Better yet.... are you seeing a dermatologist?  Since your rash is a derm issue you may have better results checking with one....specificaly one who is experienced with treating these sides from SOC.  They may have a few solutions or recommendations instead of pulling the plug with treatment.

In general.....

Drink more water since some of this could be partly due to dehydration, particularly in the summer.
You might also consider drinking some recharge/ gatorade drinks with electrolytes.

Your doctor my prescribe lotions which help with the rash like hydrocortizione creams. They may prescribe aquafilic creams which keep your skin moist.  You also may need some antihistimines that could reduce your symptoms and reduce the need to scratch.  You may have to wear gloves to remind you not to scratch while you heal even at night while you sleep.  Some finer count thread sheets may help.  You may find that just the sense of a light brush may alleviate the itch; fingernails are a no-no.  Even a fan at night on the skin may provide some relief.  Sleep aids may also be required for a better nights sleep.  The use of AC may also reduce sweating thereby reducing itching. 

While bathing showering aviod long hot exposure to water.  Avoid soaps which will cause dryness and increase irritation.  Avoid brisk toweling.  It's better to pat dry and many people find that applying cream/ lotions/oil to the skin before you are dry is better. 

As always check with your doctor and make sure that they know what you are using.  If there is a dermatologist brought in make sure all parties know what's going on with treatments and medications.

I hope a few of these will help you.

Hang in there......

Willy

[Hank's mom]

Shar -

I never had that from tx, but I got it a couple of times as a kid for my allergy to penicillin. That could be an allergic reaction. It also could relate to itching which opened the way for infection to set in, that got systemic from abrading your skin, scratching, even drying soaps. The other thing I would do is stop trying all the skin products. I once did that with an infection on my finger from a splinter causing staff which had never been at the infection site before. I landed up taking an oral antibiotic that did work. As Willy said, drink extra water, rashes, especially those with blisters can be very dehydrating.

I can understand the doc's recommendation to stop tx before it gets worse. There are other people that were pulled from tx during the last few shots who have cleared. Ask your doc if he feels this won't throw out the good tx has done.

Good luck Dear,
Susie 

[Rainbow]

A Riba rash is dose dependent....so as Willy says, decreasing the dose (or stopping the Riba) may help.   Obviously, don't do anything without checking with your doctor first.  And why hasn't your doctor sent you to see a dermatologist?

What can be done for a rash:

1. Oatmeal baths, Aveno Bar, Aveno lotion.

2.  Moisturize the skin after a bath....put lotion on when the skin is still moist.

3.  Take a bath rather than a shower.  Avoid hot water and pulsating shower heads.

4. Pat dry, don't rub.

5. Avoid using creams that contain vaseline and scented deodorants.

6. Avoid anything that will dry the skin like alcohol and Epson salts.... dry skin itches more.

7.  Use hypoallergenic soap and shampoo.  Baby shampoo is good.  Rinse well.

8. Use hypoallergenic laundry soap.  Rinse clothes twice.

9.  Use sunblock if spending prolonged periods of time outside. DO NOT RUB.  Apply lightly.

10.  DO NOT SCRATCH to relieve the itch.....PRESS on a rash and on skin around it.  It interrupts the neurological pathway.

11. Over-the-counter Benadryl 2% gel, spray, or cream.  Using hydrocortisone for prolonged time will cause the skin to get thin and a small amount will be absorbed systemically, so if you have to use it, don't over do it.

12. Avoid tight clothing.  Wear cotton, light colors.

13. Avoid getting hot.  Use cold compress.  Fan, etc.

14.  Oral Anti-histamines like Benadryl.  Hepatologists say ok to use it but you need to check with your doctor to make sure it's okay with him.  Remember that Benadryl causes drowsiness.  It should be used on a regular schedule NOT when you itch.  If you use it twice or three times a day, it will control the itch better.  Other things that can be used (need prescription) Allegra, Zyrtec, Atarax (Vistaril).  Tylenol PM (Tylenol plus 25mg of Benadryl) at night may help the itch plus help you sleep.  Also....Liquid Benadryl will work quicker.  Again, do't take anything without first checking with your doctor.

If none of the above works......During an allergic reaction, two histamine sites are activated.  One is on the skin.....and you turn that one off by using anti-histamines (like the Allegra, Zyrtec, etc).  The second histamine site is in the stomach.  To turn that one off you use any of the stomach meds like Zantac, Tagamet, Reglan, Pepcid, etc. (also should be ok'd with MD before taking).

And if all else fails.....remember that a rash doesn't itch when it's UNDER WATER.....but make sure the body of water you choose to soak in is not chigger infested. 


Shar.....you're not having shortness of breath or chest pain, right?   There is this type of RARE hypersensitivity reaction to the Peg injection, called BULLOUS DISEASE.......a BULLA is a BLISTER......and they can happen not just on the skin.....but in the lungs.  And that would cause shortness of breath and chest pain.  If that happens, you notify your doctor right away.  Don't wait. 

As I said, it's a RARE allergic reaction, but better to be safe.  Hang in there, you're almost done. 

[sharasmile]

  THANKS RAINBOW,

YES I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SUGGESTED..NOTHING IS WORKING...

WHEN MY DOC CALLED ME SHE SIMPLY SAID NO MORE TO DISCONTINUE TX. WHICH HAS LEFT ME IN A LURCH...

SHE DIDN'T RECOMMEND A DERMATOLOGIST OR ANYTHING JUST THAT I NEED TO STOP TX..
I'VE HAD THIS RASH SINCE SUNDAY AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING BETTER..TOTALLY CONFUSED..
I DID FIND OUT FROM HER THAT I'M A GENO 3 GRADE 3 STAGE 3/4..
SO I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT STOPPING EARLY..NOT SURE OF MY CHANCES OF RELAPSE SINCE I DIDN'T FINISH TX..
I KNOW YOU ARE THE GO TO LADY MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME OUT WITH THIS 
I HAVE A POOL IN MY BACK YARD BUT WILL THE CHLORINE BE WORSE FOR ME?
I'M REALLY AT A LOSS ON THIS ONE...
ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED...

SO THE POOL DOESN'T HAVE CHIGGERS...LOL...

HUGS AND PRAYERS

SHARASMILE

[Hank's mom]

Shar -

The cool pool might feel nice, but beware of dunking when blisters "pop" as infection may get in and may also allow staff infection to take hold, and chlorine might be too harsh scalding your skin as well as being toxic in your blood stream. Also, be careful in the sun, not only can the blisters expand and be more painful and burst, but also the tender skin can get burned.

It may take a few days for the blisters to subside - it takes a few days for the tx to leave from your system. I think your doctor was right to discontinue tx - the three shots at the end, really should not affect the outcome - certainly, they are not worth risking the rest of your health for.

I've had hives from allergies as I said before and they can drive you out of your mind.

Try to hold on, we're right here with you,
Susie

[Rainbow]

Shar:

I agree with Mom.  Perhaps an oatmeal bath with tepid water would be best.

A rash caused by the Interferon injection is usually mild, can come and go and it's not itchy. The rash caused by Ribavirin capsules can be severe, anywhere on your body, it's very itchy and can get worse when you take more capsules.

This is what hepatologists recommend for allergic reactions.....

http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/Init/G/1628/1628-Handbook.pdf

HYPERSENSITIVITY/ALLERGIC REACTIONS  (Page 38)

"If the reaction occurs late in therapy (delayed reaction) or consists of hives, hold treatment until hives resolve, then resume at 50% dose reduction. If hives recur, terminate treatment."


I have seen doctors stop the Ribavirin until the rash is gone and then restart it again at half dose....and I have seen others stop the Ribavirin permanently and continue the Peg injection for the rest of the treatment.  You could try asking your doctor if he would consider doing something like that. 

[robin]

Hey Sharon...I also had bad blisters on my legs and other area but mainly on my legs. In fact, I still have scars from when I was on treatment from the blisters breaking and bleeding. I did use a steroid cream that helped but as pointed out...I limited the use to when I could no longer STAND it and then until I noted improvement. Good news is that it went away soon after I stopped treatment, bad news was stopping treatment. Keep your spirits high...robin

[sharasmile]

HEY ROBIN AND ALL MY FRIENDS,
I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INFO YOU HAVE SHARED..BUT IT SEEMS THAT NOTHING IS WORKING...

ROBIN I HAVE THE RASH EVERY WHERE AND SOME OF THE BLISTERS HAVE POPPED KINDA MISERABLE
MY DOC HAS YET TO RETURN ANY OF MY CALLS AND I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM HER WHAT TO DO SINCE LAST TUESDAY.. I AM TRULY AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT NEXT..
I ACTUALLY HAD THESE RED BLISTERS ONCE BEFORE AND THAT WAS WHEN THEY DIAGNOSED ME WITH HEP C..
JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS SOME KIND OF WARNING SIGN IT SURE WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME...
ANOTHER QUESTION DID YOUR HANDS SWELL?

HUGS AND PRAYERS
SHARASMILE

[robin]

Have you tried taking benedryl or vistaril? The vistaril worked best for me and I took it every night to decrease the itching. No hot showers, lots of moisturizer (use something natural with no additives, fragrances or color) and I'm thinking that it is MissyMouse who had some benefit from Head and Shoulders as a body wash. hope you find something...that rash is miserable. Keep your spirits high...robin

[sharasmile]

HELLO TO ALL,

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE AN UPDATE ..FINALLY GOT MY DOC. TO CALL IN SOME PREDISONE FOR THE RASH AND BLISTERS..

STILL A LITTLE ITCHY BUT NOTHING INTOLERABLE

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND THEY DID GET ME THROUGH TILL I FINALLY GOT THE HARD CORE STUFF..LOL..

HUGS AND PRAYERS

SHARASMILE

[robin]

Your doctor does know you have hepatitis? Just asking because prednisone will increase your viral load. Mine went from 6 mil to 26 mil in just 3 months after starting oral steroids. Will topical ones not help? Good luck and hope the rash stays tolerable. Keep your spirits high...robin

[sharasmile]

Your doctor does know you have hepatitis? Just asking because prednisone will increase your viral load. Mine went from 6 mil to 26 mil in just 3 months after starting oral steroids. Will topical ones not help? Good luck and hope the rash stays tolerable. Keep your spirits high...robin

HEY ROBIN YES SHE KNOWS I HAVE HEP C IT WAS MY LIVER DOC. THAT PRESCRIBED IT ...I FOUND THAT TO BE A LITTLE ODD...DOESN'T HEP C THRIVE ON STEROIDS ?
I  HAVE AN APPOINTMENT NEXT THURSDAY SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS..I'LL KEEP YOU UPDATED..OR IF YOU WANT YOU CAN PM ME .. I KNOW THAT SINCE I TOOK THE PREDNISONE MY LIVER DOESN'T SEEM HAPPY SOME TENDERNESS ACROSS RIGHT SHOULDER...

SHARON <AKA> SHARASMILE

[Hank's mom]

Sharon -

I don't have a rash, blisters, bites or skin conditions but I've as itchy as can be, especially at night. My doc just put me on Avatrix, an antihistamine, instead of prednisone to safeguard my liver.

Hope it stops soon for you,
Susie