Severe itching in hands and feet

ClimberKitty · July 2015

Just wondering if anyone else has been experiencing this?

I hit 35 weeks as of Monday and have had severe itching all over my hands and feet every night since over the weekend. It appears to dissipate or reduce in intensity during the day and then returns at night with vengeance. There is no rash present -- just really crazy itchiness, to the point where I am scratching my skin raw.

I talked to my OB and she suggested trying a steroid cream or benadryl, both which have done nothing. She did mention that it could sometimes be the result of a liver issue but didn't elaborate further.

ChanelLovesB · July 2015

A friend of mine dealt with this. It was cholestasis. But that's on the more extreme side. Could just be an allergic reaction. If the cream isn't helping, see your doctor. Better safe than sorry

Miz_Liz · July 2015

Ask her to check you for Cholestasis as these are common signs and if left undetected/treated it can be very dangerous.

Miz_Liz · July 2015

FYI, that is the liver issue....a simple blood test can check for it. I would be very bothered if my Dr mentioned it could be and did not test for it since it is so simple to test for and rule out.

cseley321 · July 2015

Yeah I would request to be tested. I had severe itching at one point and was a bit worried so I did a lot of research on it. Luckily it was nothing and went away on it's own, but please get it checked out just to be safe.

banfrog · July 2015

I've had cholestasis with all my boys. All they have to do is a blood draw. You might need to insist to get the hep panel done. With my first I brought it up for a number of weeks and it was brushed off as allergies. When they finally did a blood draw, I was admitted immediately and was induced (I was 37w2d). Like pp said it's best to do the test and rule it out.

EmJ628 · July 2015

OP I have the same thing along with a few other symptoms. I have called in and they kind of brushed it off- same thing as you- might be allergies, skin stretching etc. I am calling today and asking for a blood draw. I really love my OB but the office staff has left a lot to be desired through this process. Good luck and I hope they rule out Cholestasis for you!

ClimberKitty · July 2015

I'm actually the one who brushed off the symptoms buy telling my OB it was prob just an inflammatory reaction to something. She was the one who alerted me to the possible liver issues and said if it didn't improve to contact her. I didn't actually think anything of it until I looked it up last night. Spoke to my nurse this morning, now just waiting to see when they want me to come in for the blood draw. thanx for the advice!

hanababe · July 2015

I have papular eruptions of pregnancy, a skin condition that makes you itch like poison ivy and looks like bug bites in your third trimester. It is like PUPS, another skin condition brought on by pregnancy. Only real treatment is steroids, it totally sucks!

dkizz82 · July 2015

Get tested for cholestatis. It's just bloodwork but you need to know if you have it.

gmd88 · July 2015

I had dishydrotic excema/dishydrosis this pregnancy... Though I have regular excema anyway. It was EXTREMELY itchy and caused very very small blisters on the sides of my fingers and insides of my feet. They weren't visible unless you were really looking for them... You should look it up and see if this may be what you're dealing with. Good luck mama

aseajack · July 2015

I developed the dishydrotic exzema over the last month and a half, first doctor said maybe scabies 2nd said may be a form of psoriasis and last one was a dermatologist who said definitely dishydrotic exzema and that it is very commonly misdiagnosed. Unfortunately I have a very severe case and can hardly use my hands most of the time and take a lot of benadryl to help with the itching but found out last week at my ob appointment that benadryl can reduce breast milk production so now just suffering through it as much as I can without benadryl and only using cream the dermatologist prescribed

BabyYardley · July 2015

Yes, I agree with PP. Get yourself checked out for cholestasis. I had severe itching in the hands and feet and after blood tests it came back that I have cholestasis. It is not so bad for the mom but can lead to stillbirth if left undetected and if baby is allowed to go to full-term. My levels thankfully are not super high and I'm being managed with medicine and biweekly NSTs, but both my high risk doctor and my regular OB want me to be induced at 38 weeks. I hope it's not the same for you, but check yourself out. Better to be on the safe side. Good luck!

bbymartin15 · July 2015

I'm just posting on this to bump it up. Had no one posted about this I would never have gotten checked out. I have had severe itchy in my feet and palms and just figured it was normal since I've been so itchy this entire pregnancy. But seeing this post I talked to my doctor and I'm glad I did. We caught it in time and will be induced. I couldn't imagine not catching it and having something happen to baby boy. So thank you ladies!!!

stow2009 · July 2015

I had this at the beginning of my pregnancy, and it was diagnosed as pregnancy-induced excema. Got the blood test for the liver issue and it was negative. I heard, though, that if it happens later in pregnancy there is more of a risk of that being the case, so definitely get tested! It's treatable!

kat373773 · July 2015

Thank you for this post! I got tested today because of it!

laineyjewel · July 2015

How did your test turn out @kat373773 ?? I'm doing the exact same thing as you described, and I plan on calling tomorrow morning when the office opens. I'm worried it could be cholestasis...

kat373773 · July 2015

The results take a week to come back. They will come back when I'm exactly 37 weeks. So if its positive I will be getting induced next monday

malonc2 · July 2015

After reading this post I am going to cally dr today. I have had itching all over my body (not so much hands and feet) and also thought it was normal. I am already 37 w 4 days so a little worried about calling so late, but hopefully I am worrying over nothing. Better to be safe than sorry and I hope I can get this figured out!

bumpuser10704024 · July 2015

Omg - I've been whining about being crazy itchy for the last week. My hubs has walked in on me using weird things to scratch - spatulas , combs, brushes, nail files, fake flowers - I have a doc app today and I'll def be bringing this up. I thought since my palms were so itchy I was about to win the lottery. Hah

Startingagain2015 · July 2015

Happy to see this post. I've been dealing with itchy hands and feet for a few days. I thought nothing of it until I read this. I'm going to have my blood drawn later today.

malonc2 · July 2015

I just had blood work done today. I've learned that it is a good idea to call the dr even if it seems like something silly! I can't wait to get the results..

srm1987 · July 2015

Is it just hands and feet that are itchy when this happens? My legs from the knee down itch like crazy!!! My arms and chest are starting as well, but it looks like I've been attacked by thousands of Mosquitos.....does anyone else's look like this too? I have an appointment tomorrow and I'll ask about it then, but was just wondering what you guys are dealing with.....

banfrog · July 2015

Cholestasis itchiness can be all over but always on the palms and soles. Itchy palms and soles are an indicator of liver problems pregnant or not.

srm1987 · July 2015

Okay, I'll be sure to ask my doctor just to be sure

banfrog · July 2015

It's best to check with your Dr if you are having severe itching of any kind whether you suspect cholestasis or allergies or anything else.

etoom09 · July 2015

I'm not having this problem but just wanted to comment and say good job ladies. It looks like this post has really brought a lot of awareness to other mamas about a possibly serious issue. Good luck to all of you!

lesnchristina · July 2015

Pupps has a rash with it where cholestasis does not. Worth throwing at your dr!

malonc2 · July 2015

I was tested for cholestasis yesterday and blood work came back negative today, phew. I am so glad I looked into it and called my dr and I'm thankful for you ladies and the awareness and support this board has given me the last 9 months! Don't ever ignore something you think may be off!

SashaDenn25 · July 2015

Umm thank goodness for this post. Ill be 38 weeks tomorrow and have developed severe itchiness in my feet the last week or so at night and have thought nothing of it. Calling Dr. In the morning to let them at least know its been happening.

EmJ628 · July 2015

Hey ladies an update from me: I had blood drawn and it came back that I did have Cholestasis. It is more common in women carrying boys and in women carrying multiples. I had itchy palms and soles but NO rash, and honestly the itching wasn't that bad. What made me worry was I was insanely thirsty, and had an orange stool! The good news is they figured it out but I went into labor literally the next day (probably not bc of the Cholestasis) and my boys were delivered via c section on Friday!

jazz0oh · July 2015

Just want to say thank you to all of you ladies.
Because of this post I went to the hospital Friday to get tested bc the itching cream & benedryll is NOT working! I have been experiencing severe itchy palms and feet and sometimes other areas as well for about 2 weeks. Still waiting for my results hospital said it takes about a week. Crossing fingers I don't have it bc I want baby boy to stay cooking for as long as possible.! Good luck to all of you

missmayI · July 2015

I'm a bit worried my next appointment isn't until next Monday and my arms have been crazy itchy. My palms and soles haven't itched just my arms but I'm still worried should I wait til my next appointment to bring it to my doctors attention? I'm currently 35 weeks

banfrog · July 2015

@missmayl if you are concerned you should probably call your Dr.

jlo629 · July 2015

So I met with a different doctor today as mine was out and I have been having itching all over. They think I have Cholestasis and I will get tested tomorrow as I was not fasting today. Also they are doing a non-stress test tomorrow. I guess my question is how long did it take you all to get the blood test results back? Also the doctor said today that after my NST tomorrow I will meet with another doctor and they will likely get me started on medicine even before the results come back. Did that happen with you ladies? I am currently 36 weeks 2 days and just trying to figure out what all this means.

banfrog · July 2015

@jlo629 there are a couple tests they do. They check your liver and your bile salts. One takes a week but the other usually has results within 24 hrs. Your bile salts can continue to rise before the other result come in so treatment right away can be crucial for the safety for baby.
My bile salts were dangerously high in my first pregnancy so I was immediately induced at 37w2d.
If they can manage your bile salts sooner and bring the levels down, and as long as baby is doing fine, they can buy more time for the baby before having to induced or for the baby to come naturally.

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