Liver disease itching: What helps?

@mdelpriore95, Welcome to Connect. My heart goes out to your dear wife as she has to deal with the terrible itching that can accompany liver disease. My experience with the unrelenting itch was treated with Cholestyramine that was prescribed by my gastroenterologist (GI). I found it to be an unpleasant liquid to swallow because I had almost constant nausea. I also was permitted to take an antihistamine like Benadryl per package instructions.
Along with those oral meds, I found some temporary relief from topical lotion, Sarna anti itch formula. For me, a warm soaking bath with an Aveeno brand oatmeal bath oil product. I think it was an anti itch or a soothing product, I don't recall the specific name of it, but I remember trying a lot of products. You might ask at the pharmacy counter for assistance.
After a warm soaking bath, I found that a total covering of the Sarna allowed me to get some temporary relief so I had a better chance of falling asleep. I needed my husband to apply it many times throughout the day or I would have scratched until I bled.

@mdelpriore95 - I realize that there are many entrees posted by members of this Liver Disease Itching Support Group, however, there are many others who have shared their experiences and what helped them sooth their itching. While we wait to hear from other members, I would encourage you to scroll thru the conversations that have been shared.
I had been diagnosed with and lived with a liver disease for almost 8 years when I began to itch. At first I thought I had picked up some kind of plant irritation in the woods, I didn't know that that was a symptom of liver disease so I went to my PCP about the itch, and he sent me to my GI.
@mdelpriore95, Have you spoken to her GI about her severe itching? Is she currently under the care of liver specialist of a gastroenterologist?

Welcome @mdelpriore95. The itching from liver disease can be unrelenting. I moved your question about what helps to relieve it to this existing discussion that @jeanne5009 started:
- Liver disease itching: What helps? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-disease-itching/

I did this so you can read the previous posts and connect with other members more easily like @gaylea1 @rosemarya @adlttl123 @patrickski98 @katebw @crystalfaye @hello1234 @gerryp and many others.

@mdelpriore95, can you share a bit more about the liver condition your wife lives with?

My wife, Rhonda, has severe skin itching from a liver disorder, does anyone have any suggestions as to relieving her discomfort? Ty

Thanks for your help, Rosemary. It appears I am unable to successfully access the support group, albeit I did add one long post to what I thought was a general chat area for liver support. Perhaps it is best for me just to read other posts, and not add a post myself. You know the story about old dogs.
Sarah.

You’re allergic to Benadryl?

So so sorry. Have you tried Benadryl it’s a life saver for me with any itching. Prayers. Diane.

@sarah82 - I apologize for the confusion.
Mayo Connect is an on-line patient community. The support group that I referred to is a discussion group that I shared earlier.
Here it is again: Liver transplant – Let's support each other
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-support-group/
Sarah, click on the link and you will be taken to the discussion where you can enter a comment, ask a question, and read the previous liver patient experiences. Note: If you want to ask a question, or make a comment to a particular individual be sure to include their @name.

Here are instructions for Starting a New Discussion.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/#start-new-discussion
Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Where is the Liver Support Group....I want to start a new discussion as I have just been diagnosed with liver disease.
Sarah.

Sarah @sarah82 - I have sent you a PM (Private Message).

Good morning. My itching was very intense pre-transplant, but has thankfully mostly gone away post-transplant. I tried everything to relieve it. I found Sarna lotion helped and ice packs - especially for my back overnight. My wife purchased large ice packs on Amazon and we would wrap a towel around them to diffuse the cold somewhat and make it tolerable. I also found that witch hazel would provide temporary relief. I also would wear cotton gloves at night to prevent breaking my skin. My wife also got these on Amazon. Benadryl and other anti-histamines did not really work for me.