Itchiness
Hepatitis C primarily affects the liver but may also damage other organs and tissues, including the skin. Bumps, rashes, and itching areas might be the first symptoms of this illness. End-stage cirrhosis often causes pruritus, a condition that causes widespread itching. The same nerves carry itching and pain signals to the brain. It may be restricted to the hands and feet, or it may be widespread and seem as if the patient’s inside organs are itching. This might result in the need to scratch the skin, which can further lead to injuries and infections.
In hepatitis C patients with cirrhosis, a buildup of toxins that the liver cannot remove causes pruritus. Instead of being eliminated by the liver, the toxins build up in the circulation, causing jaundice and intense itching. Bilirubin is one of the irritants responsible for pruritus. As bilirubin levels increase owing to liver damage, bile and bilirubin accumulate in the circulation. Most hepatitis C patients are unaware of their illness. However, as the disease progresses, pruritus symptoms might show. Those who are not in the latter stages of the disease may also experience itching. This is not as severe or similar to pruritus induced by advanced hepatitis C.
