Horrible Itching

Thoward1968 · February 2015

i have had itching all over my body since 12 weeks. It keeps me awake all night. It went away few weeks ago but is back, worse than ever. I have 12 days until my c-section. I have been tested twice to make sure it is not PUPP. Claritin and Benadryl are not working. Has anyone had this? I am so exhausted from being awake at night.

ttc11786 · February 2015

I had this with my last pregnancy! Praying I don't get it in the next 3.5 weeks before my due date!!
There was literally nothing to do besides take baths! It all went away te second I gave birth!!

good luck!!!

mangomimosa · February 2015

Have they checked you for cholestasis?

CrystalTrues · February 2015

mangomimosa said:
Have they checked you for cholestasis?

I second this get checked for cholestasis and ask if this could be ezcema. Talk to your doctor about this.

PrimaGraham · February 2015

Moisturizing helps! Lots of lotion or oil.

myjessesgirl · February 2015

I also have been constantly itchy, but I have dealt with sensitive skin and eczema even prepregnancy, so I'm not sure what the absolute cause is. I personally blame the elastic on my clothes right now because my belly is the worst. No rashes, just nonstop crazy itching that I cannot control no matter how much moisturizer I use. I also have been trying to avoid anything that would normally exacerbate it: scented detergents (I use hypoallergenic free & clear stuff) and scented moisturizers and body wash (I use Aveeno) tend to be the common culprits. Good luck with your itching and hope you get some relief soon!

Kayseyyyyyy · February 2015

I have awful itching at the moment, since about 35 weeks and I'm 38+1 today, I found talcum powder usually helps me. I've had blood tests done to check my liver function but it's all clear as well.

Thoward1968 · March 2015

Yes, all was normal

Thoward1968 · March 2015

I don't have dry skin and am using lots of lotion. Claritin takes the edge off but not enough

muzna99 · March 2015

Could it be allergic reaction to something? Last pregnany I had horrible itching and got rashes . Over the phone the dr and nurses told me it's normal it happens due to hormones. But when I went for a visit and they took a look they got freaked out. I was having reaction to heprin. So they stopped it and changed it to levonox.

This pregnancy I had itching on my legs mostly, but due to hormones. I used oils and lotions all day long and took oatmeal baths

emsillick · March 2015

How did you get tested for PUPPPS? I'm from the UK and over here it is just a visual diagnosis based on the symptoms. And nobody had ever heard of it! My doctor had to Google it to diagnose me and at every appointment I have been some kind of medical marvel where all the trainees have been asked in to ogle me!

The best piece of advice I have for anybody in this position right now is to be incredibly persistent with your doctor so that they take it seriously. A lot of GPs and midwives hear itchy skin in pregnancy and just switch off, claiming that it's par for the course and palm you off with some water-based cream.

I had PUPPPS appear on my lower abdomen at about 30 weeks but had no idea what it was, just that it was gross-looking and itchy. I asked my midwife about it, she said it was normal and just the stretch marks itching.

It started to spread to my thighs and bum a few weeks later and became increasingly uncomfortable. I could barely wear clothes and it was starting to keep me awake. I showed my OB and she didn't know what it was and just said that skin changes in pregnancy are normal and gave me some different cream to try.

The rash on my abdomen got seriously inflamed and irritated and I had to sit at home, airing it with a cold flannel rested on the area all day. My midwife then gave me some menthol cream and said that would clear it up. Again, no diagnosis and nobody took it seriously. Cream did nothing.

Eventually went back and got told it was obvious I was in distress, not managing my diabetes well and was going to be utterly exhausted by the time my baby arrives. Was prescribed antihistamines which did nothing except make me more tired.

At 37 weeks, my life had become utterly intolerable. The rash spread suddenly to every single part of my body but my face (thank god). The itching was absolute agony and the rash soon turned into little welts and bumps that bled everywhere from my feet to in between my fingers. I didn't sleep at all for 5 days and felt in absolute despair and depression, staying up all night googling weird home remedies for PUPPPS and consoling myself with forums of other pregnant women going through it.

I couldn't even think about my baby, was freezing cold from not being able to wear clothes and having to take cold showers three times a day. By the sixth night I was still awake at 5am, scratching and crying, my SO scooped me up, covered in this horrendous, bloody rash, and took me into L&D begging them to do something.

Thankfully, they took one look at me and put me on steroids, more regular antihistamines and prescribed me a topical steroid cream as well. It was so nice for somebody to actually understand what I was going through. That night I slept for the first time in weeks.

3 days later now and the rash is starting to fade. Still itching but nowhere near as bad. I totally understand what you're all going through ladies, I haven't been able to leave the house. Just keep hassling your GP to take you seriously as this is nothing to be taken lightly.

I wish I hadn't let mine get so bad before demanding more aggressive treatment.

Hope you manage to find some relief from this. If anyone needs to vent or ask about any methods of relief from the itching I'm all ears... I bet I tried them all! Xx

Thoward1968 · March 2015

My doctor has tested for PUPPS via blood draw three times throughout my pregnancy. They send the test back east where the bile acids are evaluated. I am 46 so my doctor has really been on top of any issue that has come up. I am guessing it is hormones but sure wish I could get some relief. The itching makes me exhausted.

britthummel13 · March 2015

I've been itchy too! I take baths with baby oil then put lotion it works! My midwife also told me to try gold bond powder, haven't tried yet

Knottie32364231 · March 2015

I had ridiculous itching a and rashes for weeks and weeks. Doctor said it wasn't puppps or cholestasis. Said use cortisone creme and lotion and if that didn't work to see a dermatologist. Well it didn't work. But my husband brought home a box of aveeno colloidal oatmeal bath. I tried it. The itching stopped. !! I took another bath the next night and the rash went away. It was a mircle. Now I use the aveeno oatmeal body wash every day and have a good oatmeal bath every week or two. Also only use only dye free perfume free detergents. Try the oatmeal bath it was amazing.

Thoward1968 · March 2015

Will try that! Thank you!

kateyaaron · March 2015

I'm 39 weeks and I've had horrible itching and random hives for about a month. only shows up on my ankles and wrists. changed detergents, sensitive body wash and no longer use perfume. the itch will randomly go to armpits and upper thighs. I take bathes in aveeno oatmeal powder and carry a bottle of cortizone 10 intense healing lotion cream with me. the cream immediately helps relieve the itch. highly recommend it!

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