Liver disease itching: What helps?

Posted by jeanne5009 @jeanne5009, Nov 26, 2018

Does anyone have info or treatments for itching? My scalp and lower back have a very itchy rash. Tried ointment shampoo, antihistamine and steroids...wont go away. I am Stage 4 liver cirrhosis. Dermatologist and PVP are stumped.

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Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 7 8:17pm

In reply to @chiggs0 "Thank you, worth a try" + (show)

@chiggs0 I read in another discussion, that you are experiencing itching. You are not alone, and I hope that you will read thru some of the experiences and suggestions that other mmembers have shared.
I know from experience that this must be making you miserable. I itched terribly for a while when my liver disease was progressing. At first, I thought that I had picked up poison ivy but there was no rash. I had been hiking, and assumed that I got something in the woods. I called my doctor when it became unbearable. He told me to discuss it with my gastroenterologist (GI) who was monitoring my liver disease. My GI did prescribe a powder that I mixed with water (Cholestyramine) that some other members have mentioned. It did help me.
I also used lotions like Sarna anti-itch lotion and found bedtime relief with a warm soaking bath in Aveeno Oatmeal Bath which I have mentioned previously in this group discussion.

@chiggs, Have you been diagnosed with a liver disease?

tigertotheend | @tigertotheend | Apr 9 11:36pm

nothing so far and have had three shots but i dont know what those were called and now starting hydroxyzine at as needed 3 times a day but i was warned that this pill may cause sleepiness and i took one today several hours ago and it did as i fell asleep for 5 hours so i will keep taking at 2 day and see what happens but nothing before this did anything.

tigertotheend | @tigertotheend | Apr 10 3:30pm

In reply to @rosemarya "@chiggs0 I read in another discussion, that you are experiencing itching. You are not alone, and..." + (show)

@rosemarya fatty liver but i can not get the doctor to say if it fatty liver disease or fat on the liver or what as i dont understand doctors now they will not or just dont know much about anything really as i have gone to doctors after doctors about symptoms of low liver function and low thyroid function for several years and they always told me that both were working normal and i mean i was going at least twice a year to these doctors and was told the liver and thyroid are working normally and then one day i go and boom....you got fatty liver and i asked why was i not being treated long before now but all i ever get from doctors is this: If the tests dont show it then we can not treat and then i ask them ...what about the symptoms as i have 6 symptoms of low functioning liver and i have 6 symptoms of low functioning thyroid and all i ever get back is: We can not treat symptoms but if we have test proof we will go at it.......so what does a person when doctors see and are told the symptoms and still refuse to treat? What ever happened to that oath they take, as it does not mean a thing to doctors now and for years as i got onto having a bad liver back in 2008 and thyroid that same year, so now i got fatty liver because an MRI showed up but the thyroid tests still show nothing wrong but i know better as those symptoms are still there along with the low functioning liver.

lylii | @lylii | Apr 11 9:33am

There a few medications that are used to help with itching caused by liver disease. Your liver specialist would be the one to ask. Good luck....

bevvon | @bevvon | Apr 11 5:48pm

I get the itching with the opioids I take also and actually enjoy scratching. Some years ago a doctor said doing scratching all over can help the liver so maybe that is why it's happening?

pattymc | @pattymc | Apr 12 3:20pm

In reply to @lylii "There a few medications that are used to help with itching caused by liver disease. Your..." + (show)

@lylii When I was on treatment Interferon/Ribaviron,(SP?)..We itched to no end it was awful..drew blood..but I found that the Aveeno baths worked the best..Im now 20 yrs post HepC treatment and I also have fatty Liver but my general Dr says Everyone has fatty liver..My advice is a good diet w/o alot of starchy foods n sugar..

footballmum | @footballmum | Apr 13 9:35am

Good morning from Canada. Prior to my liver transplant in 20 20 I had excruciating itching and it was pretty much everywhere. I found that aveeno baths aveeno cream with eucerin mix the two together and depending on where your itch is a little bit of calamine lotion at night, I found that that all worked.
🇨🇦🍁❤️

phillysw | @phillysw | May 15 10:33am

I use a spray called Ivy Dry. It kills the itch and is available at your local drug store or Walmart. My doctor prescribed Hydroxyzine and I take it at night because it is also a sedative.

Evelyn C Southers | @wittygoose | May 16 12:00pm

In reply to @pjrace "There is a medicine your doctor can prescribe. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name. It’s a..." + (show)

Our body excreted toxins via kidneys, liver and skin. Prior to my first ugly HE episodes I had raw skin from scratching. My Hepatologist explaind that because my liver was not functioning, the bile builds up creates the itching. I have spent 1000s on toicals and pills. Nothing helps. Why? It is an internal itch caused by bile builds up. My Hepatologist increased LaGuardia and Xifaxan. The only treatment that works is to ensure many bowel movements a day. Lots and lots of water to help flush kidneys. I did you a dry body bristle brush on his recommendation as it opens the pores without damaging the skin.

Good luck.

🐝 KIND