Hepatitis C Causes Severe Itching

The Hepatitis C virus has its share of unusual symptoms to deal with. There are the ones that everyone remembers like the stomach pains, appetite diminishing, which is frequently accompanied by weight loss, dark urine, and the unending tiredness. But one of the most frequent symptoms complained about is itching. At least fifteen percent of all Hepatitis C sufferers have this problem and it is uncomfortable enough that they see their health care providers about it. This itching, called pruritus, is not simply a dry skin condition that answers to moisturizers; it's a genuine symptom of living with Hepatitis C.

Those with Hepatitis C will tell you that the itching gets so bad it feels like they are itching from the inside out. People have told their doctors that it feels like all their organs are itching. Although for some people it can be in only one area of their bodies, often the hands or feet, for many it is all over. Unfortunately, most of those sufferers with this symptom, in a serious manner, are those who have already slipped into the arena of serious liver disease.

Researchers and doctors alike have concluded that this intense itching happens because of the elevated levels of toxins, including bilirubin, that the dysfunctioning liver is no longer able to control. A failing liver can no longer process the bile, which it produces to assist with the digestion of fats, and so the liver becomes clogged. This causes jaundice and jaundice causes the itching.

The itching can get so bad it interferes with a person's sleep. Some of those suffering from pruritus have only mild itching discomfort; others feel like it never stops. There are treatments for this condition. One treatment requires taking medication that will assist the bile through the liver and out of the body. These are very strong medications and should not be mixed with any other medicines the patient might be taking. Another alternative is to use antihistamines to alleviate the itching. Some health care providers will suggest using an opiate blocker or antidepressant, both of which have shown success with the itching of Hepatitis C sufferers. Lying in ultraviolet light can help sometimes since it affects the jaundice.

There are some methods are able to give some relief. Drinking lots of fluids throughout the day will keep the patient hydrated; this helps the skin to not lose more moisture. Use a good moisturizer at last twice daily; creams work more efficiently than lotions. Try not to scratch, silly as this sounds it is very important to avoid damaging the skin. Rubbing is better than scratching, but if you can't take it anymore, and the desire to scratch is overpowering, grab a piece of ice and use that. It will numb the itch at the same time and offer some relief.

In Hepatitis C patients inching can also be caused by a reaction to the drug therapy. Be sure you know which one it is before you begin to treat it.

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