Liver disease itching: What helps?

Me, too! Soaking in the oatmeal bath brought temporary relief. I also found the anti-itch lotion Sarna (not a paid advertisement) to be helpful.

Good morning
I found that oatmeal baths helped. I used Aveeno, ( not a paid advertisement). Also calamine location helped.

Try light therapy! My husband's itching (liver cancer and cirrhosis) was cured by regular light therapy treatments ordered by a dermatologist. 1 or 2 times a week, step into a controlled booth monitored by a technician, for a controlled amount of time (one minute or so--they'll tell you). Not invasive. Ask to see a dermatologist.

I knew my liver cancer and cirrhosis will give me back itching when I ask my oncologist she said no that is not part of the cancer or cirrhosis sometimes I get very frustrated with my oncologist for the lack of communication about my well being so far my back is ok it stopped itching thanks for all your advice praying for all cancer

Thank you @rosemarya for the kind words and encouragement. I don't really have any questions as I've had a LONG time to see what I needed to do. I had PSC only for close to 14 years before the scaring started and Duke diagnosed that as auto immune hepatitis. They put me on prednisone to help slow the scaring. So, it was this crossover disease that put me over the edge with a MELD score of 17.

Interesting though the statistics I looked at from Duke and Mayo Clinic showed almost as many transplants between MELD scores from 15-20 as 20-30. That gives me hope that the transplant could come sooner than I expected. Again, you seem to be a really nice person and I thank you for the support.

@keithjp77
Happy (almost) first year transplant anniversary!!!
As for the itching, I'm happy that you are getting relief, and that it is not related to your new liver. Do you have any plans for celebrating your anniversary?
Here are some ideas, and I would love for you to share yours, too! Just click on this link:
- Happy "Transplantiversary"!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/happy-transplantiversary/
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@muddlycrew, Welcome to Connect and Congratulations on your recent liver transplant!
I look forward to hearing about your liver transplant experience and I would like to connect yo with other patients who might have similar experiences. How is your recovery going? Are you at home or in the hospital? What questions would you like to ask?

@footballmum, I also got some relief from Aveeno Oatmeal Bath. I remember how cold I was before my transplant and how difficult it was for me to get in and out of the tub with my ascites weighing me down.

@lsheerin, Is your husband experiencing itching? My itching developed during the summer after my husband and I were hiking, and I wrongly assumed it was a rash from weeds. I struggled with it for what seemed like forever, but then it just went away around the same time that I began some new meds when I was sent from my GI to a liver transplant appointment in KY.

@keithjp77, @muddlycrew, @lsheerin, @footballmum, @chuckg - As Members on Connect, you are welcome to join in any support discussion. You can scroll thru the topics yourself. Here are some that I thought might be of interest to you. Click on the link and join in the conversations.
- Snapshots of hope: Life on the other side of transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/snapshots-of-hope-life-on-the-other-side-of-transplant/
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- Living Life after your Transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-life-after-your-transplant/

Hi, @chuckg. I lived with my PSC diagnosis for around 8 years before my liver began to exhibit signs of cirrhosis. I had checkups and labs every 3 months from a wonderful GI who guided me until my symptoms and MELD indicated that I was ready for evaluation and placement on the UNOS liver transplant waiting list. That is when I began to develop complications and and was sent from Kentucky to Mayo in Rochester. In 2009 I received a simultaneous liver and kidney transplant from an anonymous deceased donor. My journey was like an out-of-control roller coaster, but my transplant team treated me and guided me to where I am today.
I can see that you are in a good place for good care, and it sounds like you are (in the words of my GI) getting things in order so that you will be ready when the time comes! Chuck, I want to encourage you to keep on taking care of yourself and following your doctors' advice as you proceed further toward the listing and eventual transplant.
I joined Connect because I was looking for someone/anyone who had PSC and a transplant. I am happy to meet you, and I want to let you know that I am a transplant recipient who had PSC, and I am living a healthy and active life!!

I will be thinking of you as your October evaluation approaches. And I am available to answer any questions or concerns that you or your caregiver might have. Do you have any questions?

Hello everyone,
I wish I had learned of this group 5/6 years back when I was going through my itching phase. Back then nothing prescribed or recommended by my doctors worked for the itching. We tried everything from Benadryl to cold creams, Sarna lotion. I didn’t go as far as seeing a dermatologist . I use to brake the skin it was so bad. Eventually I would try my best to easy my mind and not think about it and it went away. Applying cold water to my hand when they itched helped sometimes but I couldn’t do that all the time for other parts of my body. Reading these posts now, the itching was definitely an indication of rejection of the first transplant. The itching did eventually stop but I can’t remember if it was right before if after my second transplant.

For anyone going through it now, I also recommend taking any suggestions given here and then talking to your doctor.

Hello

Itchiness is a common symptom of liver disease. It happens before and after a liver transplant and one has to learn to live with it.
Since you mentioned that you are stage 4, are you in any type of plan at the hospital for a transplant?
Typically, the hospital will guide you as to what you need to do.
After my transplant 4 and a half years ago, the itching still continues but not often.
When that happens, I requested to use
For hair: Clinical Solutions by Proctor and Gamble. (Amazon)
No prescription is required.
For skin, I was prescribed by the dermatologist:
Clobetasol Propionate Cream USP 0.05 %
Made by Xiomed LLC
This is around 75.00 most insurance does not cover.
This ointment works really well, the itching is gone after a couple of hours.

Don’t take my word for it, just consult the doctors prior to using anything when you have liver-related problems.
Best luck and get well, please.

Like @keithjp77, I was prescribed Atarax for my severe itching pre-transplant as I also had stage 4 liver disease. The itching was relentless until transplant (5/3/23!). Fortunately, post transplant, the itching was gone. Atarax was a brilliant, easy and safe solution that my hepatologist allowed. (I am a patient of Northwestern Memorial - Chicago.)