More than half of the people with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C liver disease.
One of the common problems people with hepatitis C develop is a debilitating rash.
There are several different rashes associated with the infection.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to know whether a rash is related to hepatitis C or something else.
This article will discuss the types of rashes associated with hepatitis C and their appearance.
It will also explore the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis C and associated rashes.
What Does a Hepatitis Rash Look Like?
Extrahepatic means apart from the liver.
People with hepatitis C can develop blood, immune system, kidney, and skin problems.
Reproduced with permission from DermNet New Zealand and Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Most people with hepatitis C will develop an extrahepatic problem, and these symptoms often involve the skin.
Several rashes are associated with hepatitis C infection, so describing an isolated hepatitis C rash is difficult.
Acute Hepatitis C
One of the earliest symptoms of acute hepatitis C infection is jaundice.
Jaundice is a typical skin problem with nearly all forms of severe hepatitis.
Minor trauma can lead to redness, vesicles, and large blisters.
Although this rash is highly linked to hepatitis C, it is rare overall.
The rash typically improves with treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection.
Lichen Planus
Lichen planuscan develop in several disease states.
Necrolytic Acral Erythema
Necrolytic acral erythemais another itchy rash associated with hepatitis C infection.
It looks like psoriasis.This means the lesions are very distinct and red to purple, with a scaly appearance.
Over time the lesions grow more prominent.
They are often located on the legs.
Necrolytic acral erythema is a rare skin rash.
It may improve by treating hepatitis C virus infection.
The rash can improve by treating hepatitis C infection.
Urticaria
People with chronic hepatitis infections, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can develop urticaria or hives.
An urticarial rash is where a person has itchy red swellings.
The same bang out of rash is often associated with an allergic reaction.
It can develop in people with hepatitis, but it is not that common.
How Common Is Urticaria in Hepatitis C?
Less than 3% of people with hepatitis C have an urticaria rash.
Eventually, they develop cirrhosis (late-stage scarring of the liver).
Treatment
Treatment of hepatitis C infection revolves around antiviral therapy.
These medications have been found to cure the infection.
They are recommended for all people with chronic hepatitis C.However, the medicines can becostlyand difficult to access.
There are several antiviral regimens available.
The specific regimen needed for an individual depends on the virus genetics and the severity of the liver disease.
The treatment combination has significant side effects, including skin rashes.
Therefore, newer agents called direct-acting antivirals are recommended.
Summary
Hepatitis C can lead to severe problems outside of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Most people with hepatitis C develop debilitating rashes.
The best way to relieve a hepatitis C rash is by treating the hepatitis C viral infection.
However, even antiviral therapies can lead to a rash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certain skin problems can mean that a person has an undiagnosed hepatitis C infection.
Approximately 75% of people with hepatitis C will develop a hepatitis C-related rash during their infection.
It’s always best speak to a healthcare provider about your chronic rash to determine the severity.
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