Does Advanced Hepatitis C Cause Severe Body Itching?

Posted on Tue, 26 Aug 2014

Question: I have advanced Hepatitis C. Late stage 3 to early stage 4 Cirrosis and swelling. Could this cause me to have severe itching with no rash from head to the bottom of my feet? It is almost like my nerve endings are affecting it and almost like I am being bitten by something but with no bite marks.lgp

Answered by Dr. Praveen (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Itching is due to built up of toxins

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for giving me an opportunity to address your query.

According to me itching in advanced Hepatitis C with cirrhosis is considered due to accumulation up of toxins and bilirubin/bile acids (in the bloodstream) which have not been effectively filtered by the damaged liver.These sensitize the nerve endings.

I were to suggest few tips to minimize itching-

1.Application of mild moisturizers twice daily.
2.Stay hydrated.
3.Avoid soap- use non soap cleanser like Cetaphil to avoid further dryness.
4.Apply cold packs -Cold packs wrapped in a towel and placed over the skin cools heat and seems to relieve intense itching.
5.Oatmeal – Many get pruritus relief from taking a colloidal oatmeal bath for breakfast.
6.Loose fitting clothes made from natural fabrics that breathe prevent excess heat from being trapped against your skin and thereby eliminates the triggers for itching.
7.Avoid hot/warm shower since heat aggravates itching.

I would prefer gabapentin which is used off-labelled to relieve itching/pain in severe cases.

Hope this answers your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (3 hours later)

thank your for your answer and suggestions. I think I needed to know that I wasn't absolutely going insane as anything else. I did not know of a reason I was having so much problem. Hopefully by this fall I will be able to do a treatment and everything will work better.Oh yes. You did say something about bile and acids I was also recently diagnosed with gall stones.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gall stones do not cause problem if they are big

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for writing me back.

If you have the scan/lab reports of gall stones please upload the same.Symptoms depend on size of the gall stones.Gall stones are mostly asymptomatic and do not cause any health problems.

Bile acids and bile which I have mentioned enter the blood stream since the damaged liver cannot handle them effectively.This may or may not be related to gall stones.

Hope this answers your query.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju