How to cure itching in legs due to severe alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency?
Patient: My husband has severe alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, type PiZZ with very low values og A1AT. He has developed empghyzema in the lower lungs. He is doing quite well, but now he is bothered by a severe itching on his legs. This was very markant before he got the diagnosis, but has mostly been gone the last year due to improved general health. Does the itching has something to do with cirrhoses of the liver? And if it can, how can we test it? We live in Norway, and there is almost no interest in anything but the lungs here. Doctor: Thanks for posting your question on HCM!I appreciate your concern towards your husband's illness.Hopefully the cause will be detected and treated accordingly.Pruritus is a common complaint in liver disease (including cirrhosis) in patients with alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency.Mild itching  may respond to treatment with antihistamines and topical ammonium lactate. Cholestyramine is the mainstay of therapy for the pruritus of liver disease.Since your husband has PiZZ variant which has only 15 to 20 per cent of normal blood alpha-1 antitrypsin levels, which is linked to severe disease.Your husband needs to be consulted for proper evaluation like complications of cirrhosis if any should be detected and managed early.I hope your query has been answered.Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.