Skin symptoms range from red spots and swelling to chronic itching and changes in skin color.
These symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for other conditions, such asallergiesorautoimmune skin disease.
Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Hepatitis C Infection
Hepatitis C progresses in stages.
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During the initialacutephase, the disease is usually asymptomatic.
As the disease slowly progresses, the likelihood of symptoms will increase.
These include skin-related symptoms that can occur during the acute and chronic stages and from hepatitis C treatment.
A less common symptom of acute HCV infection isurticaria, a widespread, itchy rash also known as hives.
Urticaria is characterized by raised, red welts with well-defined borders.
What to Expect
Urticaria tends to precede the more classicsymptoms of viral hepatitis.
The hives can come and go in episodes lasting several hours.
Severe cases can cause brownish skin discoloration.
Symptoms tend to be mild but, on rare occasions, can be severe and require treatment discontinuation.
Studies suggest that over 50% of users experienced a rash when exposed to this combination of drugs.
Cirrhosis comes up whenever the scarring is severe enough to interfere with the function of the liver.
Skin Signs of Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis not only affects the liver but also the blood and circulatory system.
These not only include previously mentioned conditions like dermatomyositis but also:
Acute vs.
Chronic HCV Rash Treatment
The treatment of an HCV-associated rash varies by the stage of infection and other factors.
In some cases, no treatment is needed.
In fact, most acute HCV symptoms will clear within 2 to 12 weeks of their first appearance.
Hepatitis C is treated with a combination of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are taken by mouth daily.
But, this is not always the case.
Instead, the reaction will be monitored by a healthcare provider who may prescribe antihistamines to help relieve symptoms.
However, if the rash is severe, treatment should be stopped and reassessed once the symptoms have cleared.
Other treatments may be prescribed if needed, including corticosteroids, methotrexate, and phototherapy.
Hepatitis C drug reactions can sometimes occur and are typically mild.
However, treatment needs to be stopped immediately if a drug-induced rash is severe.
The only way to diagnose hepatitis C is a blood test, including newer rapid finger-stick tests.
Hepatitis C is triggered by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
HCV genotypes 1a and 1b are the most common in the United States.
Knowing your genotype is important because it will determine which antiviral drugs you might take.
An OTC hydrocortisone cream and cold compress may also help.
2018;79(4):714-719.e3.
2022 Mar 29 [Online ahead of print].
