Hepatitis C rash can produce a terrible itchiness

Itching, Scratching and Rashes from Hepatitis C

A commonly reported side effect of Hepatitis C is a skin rash associated with a terrible itching. Sometimes this Hepatitis C induced skin rash can involve spots or tiny little pimples.
Sometimes this itching also occurs, or starts, at the beginning of Hepatitis C treatment but more often the itching and rashes is a symptom of chronic Hepatitis C.
I have seen some people who have had this Hep C skin rash with itching so bad that they have scratched themselves so badly that they have bled terribly.
So what is it about Hepatitis C that causes this terrible rash and itching?

A Hepatitis C rash can occur anywhere on the body but is often on the hands or feet

Hepatitis C and the Circulatory system

Hepatitis C effects many areas of the body and our general health. This is because one of the liver’s main functions is to clean the blood and remove toxic material.
So, if your blood is not getting cleaned properly this will affect every cell in your body in some way.

Toxins will build up and cause damage.

As well as filtering toxins out of your blood the liver also produces proteins needed for healthy blood and regulating blood clotting.
When I first learned that I had Hep C I was suffering from regular nose bleeds, bleeding gums and slow healing wounds. All of those symptoms left me once the Hep C was cured.

The Hep C Rash: Itching, Scratching and Cryoglobulinemia

There are a lot of health issues that arise from Hep C that many doctors do not realise are caused by a disorder called Cryoglobulinemia.

Cryoglobulinemia is a very long word for a condition that causes many health problems, but basically, cryoglobulinemia means “your blood gets thicker”.

Cryoglobulinemia is one of the most common side effects of Hepatitis C that affects many areas of your health yet is rarely talked about. Cryoglobulinemia is caused by the Hepatitis C infection causing your body to produce a huge number of antibodies called immunoglobulins. The result is that your blood will end up containing very high levels of these immunoglobulins, which then cluster into large protein clusters called cryoglobulins. These cryoglobulins are particles that will move around in your blood until they begin to clog up your fine blood capillaries, restricting blood flow to various parts of your body.
When these blood proteins clump together your blood gets thicker… particularly when your blood cools a little. Blood cools and thickens when is gets close to the skin so Cryoglobulinemia can become a serious problem in the skin and the fingers and toes where it blocks or obstructs the small blood capillaries just beneath the skin. This has many unpleasant effects, such as rashes, sores, pimples and other damage.

Hepatitis C can cause the blood to thicken leading to many health problems. These are a particular problem in the fine blood capillaries in the skin causing poor circulation. This can lead to rashes and other skin problems

Nerve Damage and Hepatitis C induced Itching.

Nerves are fed by your blood and if the nerves beneath the skin do not get good blood flow they may die or be damaged. Likewise, if the skin does not get good blood flow the skin itself may lose quality and develop rashes, pimples, weeping sores. All of these things can contribute to a rash or that irritating itch.
Conversely, for some people, when they start treatment and the virus is removed, and the liver starts to function properly again, the “clearing” of these fine blood vessels that may have been blocked for some time may create the itches.

If the blood capillaries have been blocked a long time this may remain a problem after the Hepatitis C virus is no longer present.

So if you have the Hep C itches what can you do?

Well the first thing is to cure the Hepatitis C ASAP.

Then to stimulate your blood circulation, particularly near the skin.
A few suggestions that will help stimulate circulation and clear the blood capillaries near the skin are:
1. Massage
2. Sauna or hot baths.
3. Vigorous exercise
4. Drink plenty of water
5. Good healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Any thing that gets your heart pumping and stimulates your blood circulation will help with bringing your small blood capillaries back to health.
The main thing is to get rid of the Hep C virus as soon as possible. You may be surprised how many other health issues improve once you cure the Hepatitis C infection.

The Symptoms of Cryoglobulinemia

Cryoglobulinemia will cause problems with circulation as well as effecting your kidneys, liver, skin, joints, and nerves.
Cryoglobulinemia is one of the most common symptoms of Hepatitis C and yet it is rarely discussed.
Apart from rashes and itchy skin other symptoms caused by Cryoglobulinemia include joint pain, aching muscles, shortness of breath, fatigue, spots or patches on the skin and skin ulcers or sores.

It is also possible for Cryoglobulinemia to cause problems with the vision because the eyes are full of very fine blood capillaries for more information about Cryoglobulinemia and the eyes you can use this link  http://allianceforcryo.org/cryoglobulinemia-the-triple-whammy/ 

How is Cryoglobulinemia Treated?

Once the Hep C is cured Cryoglobulinemia is can be treated with pharmaceuticals or by natural methods that stimulate blood  circulation cleanse the fine blood capillaries. Pharmaceutical treatments can be with corticosteroids however my personal preference is a good diet and hot baths containing Epsom Salts (Magnesium sulphate).  Massages and saunas are also good. Vigorous exercise is also very useful.

Once the Hep C is cleared the symptoms of  cryoglobulinemia should clear within weeks or months. In some cases, it can take up to 12 months for the symptoms of cryoglobulinemia to completely disappear.

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