Author Topic: Ribavirin Rash (Read 16193 times)

Pelham123 · « **on:** August 18, 2014, 05:23:48 pm »

Can anyone tell me when the Ribavirin rash starts to raise it's ugly head? I'm half way through week three of Sovaldi/RIBA and there' s a rash about the size of a nickel on my face.

Talked to the nurse and she said in her 9 years she hasn't seen anyone get a rash from ribavirin. The rash she saw was caused by inciveck.

Nevertheless I'm treating with benedril and cortisone, and she'll call tomorrow morning to see if I'm better, or should go in.

donk · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2014, 10:19:24 am »

back in 02 I had terrible riba rash. A topical steroid cream prescribed by a dermatologist made it much better. I was producing lots of histamine so he also prescribed an anti histamine for the itching. Good luck.

Bucky · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2014, 11:16:14 am »

Pelham123, I have several friends who used a gold bond product on the rash with great success: http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=14161&catid=182918&aid=338666&aparam=14161&kpid=14161&CAWELAID=120142990000024952&CAGPSPN=pla
They all swear by it and it isn't a steroid. I just posted the link so you can see the bottle, but it is widely available in drug stores in the US. It has to the the the one in the green bottle with the red cap because they do make other products.
Bucky

Pelham123 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2014, 11:53:27 am »

Thank you for sharing your insight. This crazy rash triggered high anxiety because it's near my eye. Can't see the dermatologist until Sept. 3rd.

The rash looks to be responding to Benadryl and over the counter cortisone. Not spreading, and it's still nickel sized, but the red is fading to pink.

Not much itching, yet. I have heard that it's high Bilirubin that causes itching. My Bili has been normal so far. Sovaldi will elevate Bili tho, so I'm getting another blood test tomorrow to confirm Bili is 'normal'.

Bucky, I'm going to the drugstore today to look for the Gold Bond! Great tip.

Bucky · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2014, 12:28:21 pm »

Pelham123, I don't want to scare you but you aren't having pain or prickly feelings as well are you? Are you older than 50? Are there blisters associated with the rash? I am just asking because my sister's shingles started on her face.
Hopefully yours is from the ribivirin.
Bucky

Pelham123 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2014, 12:34:46 pm »

Hi Bucky. Thank you for asking. I am over 60, No blisters, pain or prickly feeling. I did worry that it might be shingles as I have not had the shingles shot. I intend to ask my Doctor if I can get it while under treatment.

Bucky · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2014, 01:03:47 pm »

Pelham123, There are some good pics of shingles on the web. As long as it is not spreading then I would say it isn't shingles. An outbreak of shingles usually spreads in a line along a nerve instead of a round spot.
Did you go to a chicken poxs party when you were a child? My first cousin had them and my mother took my all of us over to her house to get infected since it was easier on a child to have CPs as apposed to an adult where they can be deadly. My how things have changed (Thankfully).
Bucky

Pelham123 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2014, 01:12:27 pm »

Bucky, Wow it sounds medieval to take kids to a "Chicken Pox party", but the vaccine wasn't developed until 1974ish. So, a party was probably a good idea. I had an older brother who I usually caught stuff from.

Bucky · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2014, 02:04:50 pm »

Pelham123, The pox parties were quite common here in the south and were recommended my pediatricians. I have a pox scare on my forehead an a clump of white hair where another scar developed on the top of my head. If you have ever seen someone our age with a "skunk" spot in their hair you know the reason why.
Bucky

Tess1971 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2014, 09:30:55 pm »

I got the rash on week two and the itch was causing anxiety. After going through numerous products that would seem to work at first and then I itched worse. Then I made a complete change in my approach deciding that these drugs also make us hypersensitive so now I wash with pure dead sea mineral salt soap and after put Aveeno Baby fragrance free daily moisturizer lotion (which is a low dose of dimethicone and oner ingredient is colloidal oatmeal) and for the places with rash that itch I use Eucerin baby eczema relief creme. I am using the baby versions as they are purer since they can be used on infants and I can use as much as I need to. So far it is working beautifully - what a relief………….

Mendeemoo · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2014, 11:50:14 pm »

I got the rash on my elbow within 3 days... I'm at 10 days and it's no worse, but no better. I have been using Cetaphil several times a day.

Pelham123 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2014, 07:20:10 am »

Tess, thank you. Going for the aveeno baby fragrance free products is brilliant! The Aveeno regular has an odd tacky texture. What do you use on your face?

Tess1971 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2014, 05:26:37 pm »

When I go out I use Olay total effects moisturizer plus mature therapy under just a little foundation. When at home I try to let my skin breathe with nothing on it. If it itches I just rub it with whats left on my hands after I put the baby product on me. I do not seem to have any skin issues on my face or neck though. I have learned that what is in the soap you use can make a difference also. I only use free and clear detergent on my clothes too.

Pelham123 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2014, 01:21:06 pm »

Tess, I got the aveeno baby fragrance free. It's awesome! Thank you! Thank you!

Tess1971 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2014, 11:27:17 am »

You are VERY welcome. I have found with continued use that is works better and better every time. I even put it on my neck and lower face (very little like a dab) after a shower now. I had to go an buy another tube already, haha The rashes are going away but for a couple of little spots in random places. I find the itch occurs about an hour after taking the ribavarin and then subsides quite a bit until I take the second dose. I am now approaching the end of the third week - YAY!!!!

jma0590 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2014, 01:49:43 pm »

thanks for sharing Tess. I'm going to have to get some today!

lporterrn · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2014, 02:40:50 pm »

Hi Pelham123 - for some reason, I just saw this post. I am appalled that the nurse never saw a ribavirin rash. I shook my head so hard over her comment, that I think I dislodged my brain.
Anyway, by now, you have seen the derm, and I assume you have a diagnosis and treatment.
For those on the forum - generally, use caution when applying a topical corticosteroid on your face, and never use it for a prolonged period and definitely avoid the eyes. Prolonged use can cause you to develop a facial dermatitis that is hard to treat. My policy is that I only use steroid creams on my face if doctor ordered.

Pelham123 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2014, 09:42:12 am »

Hi Lucinda! Thank you. I did not know that about cortisone on the face.

I did see my dermotologist and she gave me her cell phone number in case I need to get in touch with her in an emergency. Big relief. However, she's never treated anyone taking Ribavirin, so she was going to research it. I did Not have the rash at the time.

I am still getting these little hot spot blisters off and on, on my cheeks and upper arms. Not a big patch, usually smaller than a dime. They come and go. I'm trying topical benedril because the oral stuff makes me sleepy. So far, it's working.

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Author Topic: Ribavirin Rash (Read 16193 times)