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Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Anyone Else Suffer From Itchy Skin Since Starting ART Therapy?

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Manchester, UK

Hi, since I started on ART therapy (Truvada and Raltegravir) I have suffered from continuous itchy skin that at times can become unbearable and I just want to scratch my skin off. I was switched to Triumeq, but had a hyper-sensitivity reaction so had to go back on Truvada and Raltegravir. This has been going on for a year and a half now, with no answers.

I was put on Fexofenadine and various skin lotions by my GP, which help to reduce the itching - but not completely get rid off it. Even on… read more

March 18, 2017
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A myHIVteam Member

I used to take Triumeq. It caused severe itching literally Everywhere on my body. I wound up having to be taken off of it. It also cased high fevers and flu symptoms. For me, the itching and other symptoms could be tied to WHEN I took the medication. Try keeping a diary of when you take it versus when the symptoms present.

April 19, 2017
A myHIVteam Member

Assuming you're drinking plenty of water, his could also be from a histamine reaction in overdrive. I never had horribly itchy skin with HIV, but I did a day after getting a yellow fever vaccine. The doc told me to buy a generic H2 receptor antagonist used acid reflux: they work by stopping the histamine chain. One dose worked in three hours or so, and my husband used it successfully to stop a similar reaction after starting Truvada and Isentress.

March 18, 2017
A myHIVteam Member

I take @truvada as well and my face would be so itchy that sometimes I would scratch until I bleed. I got a script for antihistamines and a benzodiazepine (which also stops the night sweats btw) and it went away.

May 4, 2017 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

I take Benadryl. I get a script from my doctor. 2 50mgs works wonders It stops the itching

April 11, 2017
A myHIVteam Member

After being taken off Truvada and put on Darunavir, Ritonavir and Raltegravir daily I can say that the itchy skin has stopped and I now no longer need to take daily antihistamines.

Consultant wasn't too happy about dropping a class of drugs from regime and going onto dual therapy, but my VL has remained undetectable and the itching has stopped.

Hope you manage to get yours sorted Carl

September 8, 2017

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