Rash Post Treatment

[Hepsub]

Has anyone had a rash during active HCV infection, had it lye dormant while on treatment and then return shortly afterward (20 days)?... My EOT titer was undetected but I'm fearing the worst and would l like to know if anyone has experiences with rashes. one way or another i can't wait until this waiting is over.

[lporterrn]

My experiences with rashes is that they are common and most of them are unrelated to hep C (except for ones caused by ribavirin and a few rare hep C-related ones) I wouldn't assume this means much other than the fact that you have to find out what is causing your rash. Has your doc diagnosed your rash?

[Hepsub]

Thanks for the response.. No my doctor has not diagnose ld it. He referred me to a dermatologist who diagnosed it as a fungal infection, perscribed anti fungals which didnt work. My trial doctor seemed insistant upon it not being related to hep c, but i cannot help but observe its relationship to my HCV infection (flared up a few years after contracting, went away during treatment, back 20 days after EOT). I realize it could simoly be my immune systems landscape changing rather than being directly connected to HCV virus but some part of me refuses to accept its possible this could actually work for me and junps at any possible sign of reinfection.. Also i havent seen many people talk about this type of manifestation on this forum..im tempted to pay for.an independent titer test but will get one in just over a week anyways.. Frustratingly
Pz

[Hepsub]

I actually did read a few threads about rashes this morning but since i csn just be indicative of an immune response and certain rashes (hives) could
Be evidence of treatment while otheres (lichen planus) seem to be correlated with HCV, think it may be helpful if we could share pictures. Inappropriate? What do you think? Also, maybe creating a subforum labeled "rashes". I can do this with your approval.

pz

[lporterrn]

If you think it will help, then go for it. Probably best to just get a viral load at 12 weeks post reatment, and see if the virus is back. Here is what lichen planus looks like: http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/lichen_planus_1_picture/picture.htm

[Hepsub]

You are probably right.. I will wait until the final blood test to be sure in order to prevent posting things with no purpose....do you know if lichen plans is the only dermatological extra hepatic manifestation caused by Hep C (that bears resemblance) ? My biggest hang up is that i have found no knowledge of exactly how Hep C causes rashes other than exerting a general immune arousing force, or read that we had a working knowledge of the exact mechanism of lichen planus....

Thanks Again for your time

 

[lporterrn]

There are, and at the end of this entry, I will paste some text from an article I wrote.
I consider myself a bit of rash expert because I've had a few of them in my life (long before hep C, and now still after being cured.) Like you, I tried to connect dots that weren't there, and I see this as problematic because when we connect dots, we sometimes don't connect the right dots. Two days after starting ribavirin and peg, I got a horrible rash which I assume was from ribavirin (which rib is famous for). I lived with that belief for 5 days until a nurse friend saw it and said it looked like poison oak. Well, I had been hiking and brush my dog right after the hike. The derm confirmed it. I am not a doctor, and from then on I left diagnosing to those with a license.

Pruritus – This is the medical term for itching. Pruritus may be caused by many factors. Two causes in the presence of HCV are dry skin, and a build-up of bilirubin. The first cause is common, whereas bilirubin build-up is generally uncommon. High bilirubin levels can be associated with advanced liver disease and should be evaluated.

Cutaneous lichen planus – This skin disorder usually begins with pinhead-sized, shiny eruptions. Later these eruptions can become rough and scaly lesions. The rash is accompanied by itching and responds quite favorably to treatment.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) – PCT is a rare deficiency of a liver enzyme essential for cellular metabolism. The enzyme deficiency may cause sun-exposed skin to blister, ulcerate, turn dark, or bruise. Hair may increase on the forehead, cheeks, or forearms, and the urine may turn pink or brown. It now appears that hepatitis C is the most common trigger of porphyria in people who are predisposed.”

Necrotizing cutaneous vasculitis – In short, this is a skin disorder as a consequence of  circulation problems, originating in the blood vessels. There are many factors that may cause this condition.

[Hepsub]

Thanks... You are right that there are myriad causes and i am not a professional and most likely am succumbing to a bit of hysteria.. I am familiar with med term as well as the conditions you listed but appreciate you taking the time. My question is more related to exactly how lichen plans occurs ,which i don't think there is a lot of literature on.  But like you said, I'm not a doctor so the information, filtered through my ignorant lens could taint my perception negatively and juste make matters worse.... I know i have to resign to the universe, to the meds, to the docs, to a higher power, to uncertainty, and sometimes just having these interactions.. particularly from esteemed people as yourself are sufficient reminder.. a bridge to connect the intellectual understanding to experience.... Today i am feeling better.. the itching is still persistent, i still feel fatigued and have a mild headache, i still had a really hard time sleeping last night.. But there is nothing i can do except to take the best care of myself possible and ride the wave.. i saw a functional medicine doctor who gave me recommendations of supplements and herbs as well as referrals tp tother doctors who practice a nice blend of traditional allopathy and holistic medicine, including an acupuncturist.(this disease is really bankrupting me lol). i will keep everyone here posted on my journey as it unfolds, particularly what helps and what doesn't as I'm very fortunate to have a bevy of resources and awareness at my disposal... Thanks again for the info, support and hope!

[brie41]

Hi Hepsub,

 I will officially be in the post-treatment club as of tomorrow.  I can totally understand why you are feeling nervous about the rash.   But I do believe it can be caused by many things.  I know I will be paying close attention to how I am feeling over the next few weeks to months.  It is just hard not to be a little concerned at least.  Hang in there and I will be keeping positive thoughts that all is well with you. Take care.  Brie