Liver disease itching: What helps?

Hi, @rosemarya. I was diagnosed with PSC in 2005. From that time until around 2020 I was coping and managing PSC with the usual drug regiment. I had a pretty bad bleed esophageal in Colorado (on vacation) and had an emergency banding done.

With that episode it was time to go to Duke transplant clinic. I had developed some scaring on the liver and it was determined that autoimmune hepatitis was causing that. Add inguinal hernia on right side below liver-diagnosed a few months back to the mix. Said there's a 13% chance for liver decomposation.

I am currently working to get stronger and get BMI down. Also will see a denist for a recommended deep clean. Plus other to do items such as an upcoming MRCP, EGD and some 34 lab test.
My current MELD is 17 and I have the listing which will be done in late October. I hope the listing is successful. When is accepted, then take care of hernia.

No @lsheerin , it is prescription.

Hi, @chuckg, and Welcome to Connect.
I am a patient who experienced the awful constant itching with my liver disease, PSC, before I received my transplant in 2009. I have not seen anyone refer to the ointment which you have mentioned(Mupirocin ointment) so I looked it up. I read that Mupirocin ointment is a medication that treats bacterial skin infections. It prevents bacteria growth and kills existing bacteria on your skin.
Since you have posted in this, the transplant group, I want to caution that itching is a symptom of liver disease, and it is not caused by an infection of bacteria. Also with a liver disease, it is best to discuss any over-the counter medications with your doctor.

Are you a patient with a liver disease? Have you shared your itchy skin with your doctor?

Is this over the counter?

I use Mupirocin ointment which is a skin antibiotic and used for bacteria. It helps my itching and stops it pretty quickly.

@deanna2, I see that you have recently joined Connect and I want to extend my Welcome to you. I am happy to hear that you found a solution that works to relieve your itching! And I commend you for reminding everyone to check the ingredients in any vitamins or supplements that are purchased over the counter. I want to add a very important precaution for ALL transplant patients - Always check with your transplant team before you take any over-counter supplements or vitamins because some can be harmful or interfere with our medications. 🤍

deanna2, Are you comfortable to share more about yourself? Do you or your doctors know what caused your itching? Do you have a liver condition? Are you a transplant patient?

I learned from personal experience that too much niacin (Vitamin B-3) can cause liver damage and consequential itching. I suggest you check any supplements you are taking to see if they contain niacin that might add up to be too much. I've read it's unlikely to get too much just from food. When I stopped taking my niacin supplement, the itching, and hopefully the liver damage, went away. Best wishes.

Good morning
It seems like I always seem to have something to say. What can I say I'm Canadian we're very helpful. pre-transplant I used Aveeno oatmeal bath and Eucerine calming. I found it was helpful. It didn't "kill" the itch but it helped. I wish your wife good luck on her journey. ☺️

@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?