Puppps rash

1pea1

This is my second time dealing with Puppps. It is a horrifying rash that makes you want to scratch your skin off. Most people get it during the third trimester, but I have gotten it post partum both times. I also had very traumatic labor and deliveries both times, so I wonder if that (stress) contributes to developing the rash.
A few things that provide relief are Grandpa's tar and oil soap and dandelion roots. They are available at Whole Foods and I'm sure other similar markets. Taking 4 dandelion root pills twice a day makes me a little nauseated so make sure you eat with them. I also drink dandelion tea.
If you are suffering from this, good luck! It is NOT FUN. I wanted to share the methods of relief I found because the first time I had it, almost 3 years ago, my poor husband was researching and googling all day and night just trying to figure out what was wrong with me. No dr has ever confirmed that it is Puppps- I actually don't know how knowledgable drs are about it.

1pea1

Also- tea tree oil! Rub it all over the affected area for relief.

Louisl

@1pea1 I've been dealing with it since 38 weeks, and post partum it spread all over my body and got worse. I'm taking the dandelion root and using the pine tar soap and ice packs too which provide temp relief. With the dandelion root capsules, do you think they help eliminate the rash or just make it more tolerable? I've been taking them for 4 days and I keep wanting to believe it's helping but the rash keeps spreading to different parts of my body. My OB wants me to take Benadryl in addotion to the steroid cream she prescribed (which does nothing I'm convinced) but I highly doubt the Benadryl will help and I don't want to run the risk of it drying up my milk. This is literally the worst thing I've ever been through.

1pea1

I think / hope/ pray that the dandelion root actually helps to heal it- some that I've found says it can take the dandelion 5 days...
It's the worst thing ever and it's just so terrible bc there is really not that much info on it.
How long have you had the rash ? I can't remember how long I had it last time. I think I have blocked the memory bc it was so traumatic.

clairesmommabear

I second the tea tree oil. I put it in lotion and found soap and shampoo that had it that I used when I had it while pregnant with DD. Luckily I don't have it this time, but this was the only thing that made the rash tolerable for me. Good luck any mommas that are dealing with this! It does eventually go away!

Louisl

@1pea1 I've had it 5 weeks. 4 weeks pregnant and one post partum where it's been spreading. I'm lucky that my OB did diagnose it and induced me at 40 w 2 days because I was so miserable. @clairesmommabear I was doing tea tree and peppermint oil when it was just on my belly but now it's so much worse they do nothing. The worst is when I sit and nurse it irritates the rash anywhere that gets warm and it's just really messed up that I can't do any skin to skin with LO because that really inflames it. Today out of desperation and because DH was at his wits end with seeing me this way, I went to a dermatologist and now in on an oral steroid and it did seem to make me a little less itchy as soon as I took a dose but also made me feel a bit on drugs and speedy. Not ideal but I have to try everything at this point. They also prescribed Allegra but I'm terrified of my milk drying up.

1pea1

I'm so sorry to hear this! You must be so miserable. Ugh this rash is so terrible! My husband found something online that recommended Bordeaux's butt paste - I rubbed some on a few areas and there is some relief but now I smell like diaper rash cream...

Louisl

@1pea1 that's interesting. I feel like a lot of things help for about half hour or until the area gets hot or moist. I really recommend ice packs. If you hold them right to the skin when they're really cold you'll get some relief for a couple hours. But it has to be really cold and right to the skin. Luckily it's not cold where I live but I really can't wait to wear clothes and use blankets when i sleep!

1pea1

I just used a new lotion this morning- sensitive Sarna-that works really well! My skin is calmed and I don't feel the overwhelming need to scratch. And when I do scratch, I'm able to stop. My husband found it at a regular grocery store ( Giant) and it is working. Make sure you get "sensitive"- the regular kind has an ingredient in it that can be very harmful to children. It's about $15 and well worth it!

Louisl

@1pea1 thanks I'll check it out!

I actually think the oral steroids are helping. I have much less urge to scratch and when I do I can limit it to like 30 seconds instead of being out of control scratching for 45 minutes. I was finally able to use my My Brest Friend yesterday because having it wrapped around me no longer drives me crazy. And I had LO basically attached to me all night and it made getting through the night so much easier. I'm still washing with the pine tar once a day and letting it dry on my skin and that helps but I'm cautiously optimistic that the worst is behind me.