itchy rashes

[Mugzy]

I'm on week 5 of Harvoni until yesterday just minor sides head aches slight fatigue how ever yesterday I developed an itchy rash on my fore arm that started with one red 3 inch bump and spread a little bit also a couple of spots on my stomach.I'm trying to figure out how to input and save my stats maybe someone can help. I contracted non A non B in 1985 I did a Peg Ribovarin treatment in 1997 with no success. My Geno type is 1A viral load was 10875976 fibrosis f-3 ALT 74 AST 39 blood work 2 weeks in AST 21 ALT 25 viral load UD has anyone experienced itchy rashes while on Harvoni it was not listed on the sides list from what I could see.

[moto]

Hey Mugsy,
About ten years ago I had weird rash reg Dr said oh it's just the hep c. I saw a dermatologist he did a biopsy and said it was skin lupus. He told me to stay out of the sun, which I did for a while then quit worrying about it. "Skin" lupus became SLE, systemic lupus. Last August I had a flare up and became very sick. I was put on plaquenil and after 2-3 months skin was clear. I've been on harvoni for 18 weeks, 6 more to go. I think a lot of people with hep c are sun sensitive. My rheumatologist thinks the lupus developed out of the hep c and will probably still be there after getting rid of hep c. All this to say, avoid getting out in direct sunlight, it may be a part of the problem. I ignored warnings and now may be stuck with lupus which can be as bad as the hep. Good luck.
Moto

[Mugzy]

I got a call into the doc he told me to get some Benadryl cream I'm ogiving that a shot. I don't think it's he sun since I have some rashes on stomach that has not been exposed to the sun perhaps it's some totally un related issue. So far the Benadryl has relieved some of the itch however I'm starting to have mild flu like symptoms I made an appointment with a dermatogist for Wednesday in case this is still going on. Anyways thanks for your input Moto

[moto]

I understand, most of the time I only got sun on face and forearms. Eventually itchy rash covered arms chest and back, looked and felt like chemical burn. Felt very sick with flu like symptoms, weak with fatigue, headaches
, felt like I had been poisoned. A dermatologist put me on a very expensive cream that worked but was bad for my liver. Be careful with prescription creams and check with harvoni pharmacist for drug interactions. Hope this helps.

[Mugzy]

Thanks again if I start feeling worse might go to an urgent care. The thing is I have always been exposed to a lot of sun through the years that I contracted HCV but ironically I have spent the least amount of time in the sun lately but you never know might have just crossed my threshold . Again thanks for your feedback I'll check in next couple of days.

[osiris]

Hi Mugzy, I am on Sovaldi 400 mgs and  1200 mgs of Ribavarin a day for 24 weeks,,Ughhh! because I am geno 3a,,,and I am into week #17 out of the 24, and I can tell you that my itching has gotten extremely worse in the last 3 weeks or so,,,so much so that I started scratching my elbow on line at the grocery store last week,,that I came back with a handful of blood! Not only is it a terrible feeling,,but also embarrassing in public! I cannot wait for 6 1/2  more weeks to be over!!! However I went out and bought some Gold Bond Anti-Itch Cream....and that has really helped!...give it shot,,,it has worked pretty well for me. also just a tip,,,,try to keep your fingernails Clippped down to NOTHING!lol!...Hope it gets better for ya!...Hang in there....Some people waltz through this treatment (oral),,,and others have a rough time...from what I can discern,,there really is no rhyme or reason as to why,,..at least at this point!...So..all we can do is treat the symptoms and hope that we don't grow a 3rd ear or some crap down the road! lol!...which,,might not be so bad,,,because as I'm getting older the 2 I have are starting to go! Good luck to all! Peace...

[Mugzy]

I saw a dermatologist yesterday explained to him I was on Harvoni he gave me a shot and prescribed some Clobetasol cream so far hasn't done much still itches and is spreading. He said he doesn't think it is a reaction to Harvoni I sure hope its not I have 7 more weeks to go.

[moto]

Clobetasol is what my dermatologist gave me and after a week or so seemed effective, but, my Rheumatologist freaked saying it was very hard on the liver especially when covering large areas. He called the dermatologist telling him how dangerous the clobetasol was for me, then the dermatologist sent me a letter telling me to discontinue use immediately - the letter was of course an attempt to cover his butt legally. Like I said earlier my rheumatologist put me on plaquenil and it has worked out great, no rash no itching and I had lived with both for years. It doesn't give immediate relief, it has to build up in your system but it's worth the wait (1-2 months). I don't think harvoni is causing the rash, everybody's different but for me it was due to hep C and sun exposure. I grew up in Florida, the sun never bothered me but things can change with age.

[Carmine]

I have been on Harvoni for 14 weeks with 10 weeks to go, the past 6 weeks I have red itchy bumps on my arms and ankles, wondering if anyone else is having this problem and what can I use to help with the itch?

[TexasC+]

I have had the itch and rash. On riba and sovaldi. Drinking tons of water helps. I also use dreft detergent for my clothing. No lotion with perfume. The heat makes it worse so I go out early am and late pm if I am going to stay out side for any length of time. I live in Texas and it was 105 here last week.
I am one of the folks that everything interacts with the riba so I can not even tolerate tylenol. I do have a as needed atarax for the itch. I have taken it a few times and it really helped.
Remember this treatment ends and your virus free its worth fighting the fight for cure. Every day I wake up and say its the medication not me. I am fine, I will be better when its over. That helps.