an oatmeal bath also helps. And by all means if you have a rash get to the doctor to let them check it.

Many people recommend cool showers but I hate this so I take hot ones anyway. This sends me into an itching fit that lasts 15 minutes. If you insist on a hot shower, end it by switching to straight cold water for the last minute. I found this closes my pores and stops the itching. I wish I had discovered this trick sooner....

I go through about a gallon of Aveeno a month. I use a lot of their products. Contains colloidal oatmeal.

Jester I like your Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures graphic!

The benedryl is your best bet. The problem with slathering ointments and lotions on your skin is that you are itching BECAUSE your body is excreting toxins and waste products through your skin since your liver is not functioning properly. When you block those pores with lotions and ointments you actually make the problem worse. Your best bet is to increase your water intake to dilute the waste. Also, B12 is excellent at helping eliminate toxins through your urine.

Avon skin so soft in the bathwater.

@ Louie - I was wondering if anyone recognise that...

I remember the itchiness of treatment nearly drove me mad. Glad you all are finding things to help!!

i used oatmeal baths and eucerin, but now because of juicing it just went away.

Jester, I'm a recycled punker here and still listen to my JD collection, Ian Curtis.

I have been watching you all in regards to the rash....my doctor told me that he has seen some cases of Steven Johnson's syndrome, so please everyone be careful that it is just a med rash. The SJ syndrome is also a rash and is a serious condition, so just don't think any of the rashes that you get are normal and typically part of the plan. Please let the doctor see what is happening to your skin and let him/her decide if it's normal.
Sorry if I seem like a fuss budget, but I'm a typical teacher I guess. I have researched this hideous virus inside and out, seen quite a few specialists, asked alot of questions, and made some checks to my list to be vigilant about. The rash is close to the top of my list, and here's why, at least for me.

I've had this virus for a long time. At least since 1989 when the blood bank told me that I couldn't donate blood any more. Yes, I cry when I think about having given it to others, but it's not the topic right now... anyway, over the years I have become allergic to this drug and that drug (mostly antibiotics that I have had no problem with in the past), it's just been weird. Finally this last April, I had a severe reaction ( think Homer Simpson Lip) at the dentist, to the numbing cream that they put on your lip to numb you up before they give you the novacaine shots. Went to an allergist and he did allergy tests and discovered that I am allergic to one ingrediant in that cream, which is Prilocaine. It's extrememly rare he said, only 1% of the population is allergic to it. Funny thing is, I'm sure that I've had that cream before.

So here's what I think is happening, and I'm telling you this because I doubt that I am a Lone Ranger in this.... my immune sytem is turned on, always trying to fight the Hep C virus, and when anything else is introduced, it reacts to it like it's an invader and causes an allergic reaction. I am scared to death that I will get the Steven Johnsons syndrome because of the allergic reactions I've been having!

Scared enough not to start treatment at the end of this month? Nope, I'm moving forward, but with a close eye on the rash.

Happy Easter to all of you and I hope it's sunny where ever you are!
Take care,
Kelly

The cooler baths with Aveeno oatmeal in the bath, followed by aveeno lotion, you can buy store brands. I also wore loose clothing and rub lightly , no scratching. My rash dissappeared not long after I finished incivek, but I have babied my skin all the way.