Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRash SymptomsCausesHepatitis C SymptomsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Rash Symptoms
Causes
Hepatitis C Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
More than half of the people with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C liver disease. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to several health problems, but the illness is primarily associated withcirrhosis(scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
One of the common problems people with hepatitis C develop is a debilitating rash. There are several different rashes associated with the infection. 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?
Acute and chronic infection with hepatitis C leads to liver damage and can also cause other health problems calledextrahepatic manifestationsof chronic hepatitis C infection. 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.
Hepatitis C StatisticsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 2.4 million people were living with hepatitis C in 2013–2016.
Hepatitis C Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 2.4 million people were living with hepatitis C in 2013–2016.
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. People with hepatitis C can develop:
Hepatitis Rash Causes
A rash from hepatitis C can occur during all phases of the illness, including acute infection, chronic disease, severe liver damage, and while receiving treatment.
Acute Hepatitis C
One of the earliest symptoms of acute hepatitis C infection is jaundice. It develops when the liver is damaged and unable to break downbilirubin, a waste product produced when red blood cells are destroyed because they are old or abnormal.
Jaundice is a typical skin problem with nearly all forms of severe hepatitis. People with jaundice often also have:
Chronic Hepatitis C
Several rashes may be seen in chronic hepatitis C.
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Porphyria cutanea tardais strongly linked to hepatitis C, particularly in southern Europe.The rash appears as chronic skin blistering associated with sun sensitivity and easy skin damage. 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. However, people with lichen planus often have liver disease and are likely to have underlying hepatitis C infection as the cause of the liver disease.
The rash appears as a flat-topped, violet, itchy rash that can be found anywhere on the body, including the scalp and inside the mouth.This rash is found more often during the later stages of liver disease.
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.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
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 type 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.
How Common Is Urticaria in Hepatitis C?
Less than 3% of people with hepatitis C have an urticaria rash.
Severe Liver Disease and Damage
People with chronic hepatitis C slowly develop worsening liver damage if the disease is left untreated. Eventually, they develop cirrhosis (late-stage scarring of the liver). The loss of liver function contributes to other skin conditions, including:
Early Hepatitis C Symptoms
Hepatitis Cis typically transmitted through exposure to infected blood, which usually occurs through sharing needles.Many people with a new hepatitis C viral infection do not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
These symptoms usually begin about two to 12 weeks after exposure to the virus.
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.
Treating Hepatitis C Treats a Hepatitis RashTreating hepatitis C is often the only thing needed to clear up a rash associated with hepatitis C.
Treating Hepatitis C Treats a Hepatitis Rash
Treating hepatitis C is often the only thing needed to clear up a rash associated with hepatitis C.
Previously, people were treated with interferon and another antiviral called ribavirin. The treatment combination has significant side effects, including skin rashes.
Therefore, newer agents called direct-acting antivirals are recommended. These newer agents are very well tolerated and have fewer side effects.Speaking with a healthcare provider to determine which therapies are best for you is essential.
Injection drug use is the most common way to contract hepatitis C in the United States, so the best way to avoid the infection is to use clean needles or stop using injection drugs.
Summary
Hepatitis C can lead to severe problems outside of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Most people with hepatitis C develop debilitating rashes. The different skin manifestations include jaundice, porphyria cutanea tarda, lichen planus, necrolytic acral erythema, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and urticaria.
A Word From Verywell
Certain skin problems can mean that a person has an undiagnosed hepatitis C infection. However, not everyone with hepatitis C develops symptoms, and some rashes are not always associated with hepatitis C. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider about a chronic rash.
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. Concerning signs of a rash include:Rapid spreadSignificant blisteringSigns of infection such as redness, warmth, and drainageDarkening of the skinAssociated symptoms such as trouble breathing or fever
It’s always best speak to a healthcare provider about your chronic rash to determine the severity. Concerning signs of a rash include:
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.Dedania B, Wu GY.Dermatologic extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2015;3(2):127-133. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00010Mount Sinai.Jaundice.To-Figueras J.Association between hepatitis C virus and porphyria cutanea tarda.Mol Genet Metab. 2019;128(3):282-287. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.05.003Alaizari NA, Al-Maweri SA, Al-Shamiri HM, Tarakji B, Shugaa-Addin B.Hepatitis C virus infections in oral lichen planus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Aust Dent J. 2016;61(3):282-7. doi:10.1111/adj.12382Botelho LF, Enokihara MM, Enokihara MY.Necrolytic acral erythema: a rare skin disease associated with hepatitis C virus infection.An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(5):649-651. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164203Ragab G, Hussein MA.Vasculitic syndromes in hepatitis C virus: A review.J Adv Res. 2017;8(2):99-111. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2016.11.002Kolkhir P, Pereverzina N, Olisova O, Maurer M.Comorbidity of viral hepatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review.Allergy. 2018;73(10):1946-1953. doi:10.1111/all.13482Mount Sinai.Spider angioma.Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: management in primary care.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(635):e418-20. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for healthcare professionals.Infectious Disease Society of America.HCV guidance: recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.Dedania B, Wu GY.Dermatologic extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2015;3(2):127-133. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00010Mount Sinai.Jaundice.To-Figueras J.Association between hepatitis C virus and porphyria cutanea tarda.Mol Genet Metab. 2019;128(3):282-287. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.05.003Alaizari NA, Al-Maweri SA, Al-Shamiri HM, Tarakji B, Shugaa-Addin B.Hepatitis C virus infections in oral lichen planus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Aust Dent J. 2016;61(3):282-7. doi:10.1111/adj.12382Botelho LF, Enokihara MM, Enokihara MY.Necrolytic acral erythema: a rare skin disease associated with hepatitis C virus infection.An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(5):649-651. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164203Ragab G, Hussein MA.Vasculitic syndromes in hepatitis C virus: A review.J Adv Res. 2017;8(2):99-111. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2016.11.002Kolkhir P, Pereverzina N, Olisova O, Maurer M.Comorbidity of viral hepatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review.Allergy. 2018;73(10):1946-1953. doi:10.1111/all.13482Mount Sinai.Spider angioma.Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: management in primary care.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(635):e418-20. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for healthcare professionals.Infectious Disease Society of America.HCV guidance: recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.Dedania B, Wu GY.Dermatologic extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2015;3(2):127-133. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00010Mount Sinai.Jaundice.To-Figueras J.Association between hepatitis C virus and porphyria cutanea tarda.Mol Genet Metab. 2019;128(3):282-287. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.05.003Alaizari NA, Al-Maweri SA, Al-Shamiri HM, Tarakji B, Shugaa-Addin B.Hepatitis C virus infections in oral lichen planus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Aust Dent J. 2016;61(3):282-7. doi:10.1111/adj.12382Botelho LF, Enokihara MM, Enokihara MY.Necrolytic acral erythema: a rare skin disease associated with hepatitis C virus infection.An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(5):649-651. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164203Ragab G, Hussein MA.Vasculitic syndromes in hepatitis C virus: A review.J Adv Res. 2017;8(2):99-111. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2016.11.002Kolkhir P, Pereverzina N, Olisova O, Maurer M.Comorbidity of viral hepatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review.Allergy. 2018;73(10):1946-1953. doi:10.1111/all.13482Mount Sinai.Spider angioma.Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: management in primary care.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(635):e418-20. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for healthcare professionals.Infectious Disease Society of America.HCV guidance: recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral hepatitis.
Dedania B, Wu GY.Dermatologic extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C.J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2015;3(2):127-133. doi:10.14218/JCTH.2015.00010
Mount Sinai.Jaundice.
To-Figueras J.Association between hepatitis C virus and porphyria cutanea tarda.Mol Genet Metab. 2019;128(3):282-287. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.05.003
Alaizari NA, Al-Maweri SA, Al-Shamiri HM, Tarakji B, Shugaa-Addin B.Hepatitis C virus infections in oral lichen planus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Aust Dent J. 2016;61(3):282-7. doi:10.1111/adj.12382
Botelho LF, Enokihara MM, Enokihara MY.Necrolytic acral erythema: a rare skin disease associated with hepatitis C virus infection.An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(5):649-651. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20164203
Ragab G, Hussein MA.Vasculitic syndromes in hepatitis C virus: A review.J Adv Res. 2017;8(2):99-111. doi:10.1016/j.jare.2016.11.002
Kolkhir P, Pereverzina N, Olisova O, Maurer M.Comorbidity of viral hepatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review.Allergy. 2018;73(10):1946-1953. doi:10.1111/all.13482
Mount Sinai.Spider angioma.
Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: management in primary care.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(635):e418-20. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hepatitis C questions and answers for healthcare professionals.
Infectious Disease Society of America.HCV guidance: recommendations for testing, managing, and treating hepatitis C.
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