December 2015 Moms

So itchy: UPDATE!

caitlinleighhcaitlinleighh member
edited August 2015 in December 2015 Moms
So I have a itchy, red bumpy rash that started on my armpits and has spread almost everywhere except my back, face, feet and hands. I'm so itchy I can't handle. My OB doesn't know what to think of it and I'm waiting to go to a dermatologist. It isn't PUPPs and he doesn't suspect cholestasis. Any other mamas have/had horrible rashes develop all over?? I can't find relief in anything I've tried ):
UPDATE: Still no official answers and I'm still waiting to go to the dermatologist but I've at least finally got this rash under control! The itching has pretty much stopped even though it spread pretty bad. Cold showers, washing my bedding daily, and Aveeno eczema lotion helped loads. Lots of skin discoloration but, that's nothing some Mederma can't help fix after my little one is here. I hope all you ladies are having an easier time with all of your itchiness as well!! It's not a fun thing but, I'm sure it'll all be worth it once my peanut is here.

Re: So itchy: UPDATE!

  • Do you think it could be an allergy?
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  • @GalLaura it could be, but I haven't changed anything in my diet, laundry detergent, soaps or lotions. Unless I developed an allergy just in the last week. I'm just waiting on seeing a dermatologist. I even went to the ER and no one could tell me anything.
  • Pregnancy can bring on allergies. I hope it's something simple and fixed up quickly for you :)
  • Are you pregnant with a girl by chance? When I'm pregnant with my girls this happens. My midwife firmly believes it's the hormone overload. We haven't found any other explanation!
  • I've had a rough time with hives this pregnancy. My allergist says some pregnancies can just mess with your immune system and make it more sensitive. It isn't unheard of to suddenly develop a reaction to a product or food you've previously had no issues with. For me this time around it's anything with tomato.

    Cool baths, even oatmeal soak (Aveeno has one), zyrtec or benedryl, as well as you can try otc hydrocortisone cream to hopefully get a little relief while you wait.
  • I got a similar rash with my first and have it again now. OB had no idea but recommended that I put cortisone 10 and triamcilinone cream(anti fungal cream that I use for eczema) it's better this go around, but not gone. With my first, I saw the dermatologist after I had my DD and she said dermatitis but didn't say what kind. I go again on monday and im pushing for an answer this time. And a real treatment. Nothing seems to really work and I scratch until I bleed most days and it's worse at night.

    I feel your pain...or your itch.
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  • I was extremely itchy all over like even my palms and bottom of my feet and even mouth (weird)blood work all came pack normal,but I think mine was stress related(traveled to my mother's house and sisters drive me nuts)then had an abnormal ultrasound and started to feel it again.i took cool baths and laid in bed in cool big shirt with a fan and I felt better.good luck!
  • So I just came back from the dermatologist. She said I'm having a reaction to some part of the pregnancy changes. She called it an urticaria reaction. Basically hives but with a Formal name. I was so excited to have a name. This is my second pregnancy and my second rash. Benedryl, cortisone or Allegra. There's nothing they can really so until the baby comes and then it's steroids galore!

    I don't know what else anyone has, but it's worth a asking about.
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  • I've had it in my armpits for a few weeks now...so annoying!! I feel so gross when I'm constantly scratching my armpits :( I'm sorry yours has spread! Let us know if you get any answers!
  • siblingtimesiblingtime member
    edited August 2015
    I am experiencing almost the same thing. Doctor said it isn't PUPPS and I am waiting to see a dermatologist. Have had two rounds of prednisone that calm it down only a little. Benadryl does nothing but make me sleep, so that is out! The only thing I have figured out is the sun makes it 100 times worse, so limiting my sun exposure has helped.
  • I'm itchy! It's mostly on my legs (not poison ivy I've already tried) but it's behind both of my knees and it looks/feels awful.
  • mrussello said:

    So I just came back from the dermatologist. She said I'm having a reaction to some part of the pregnancy changes. She called it an urticaria reaction. Basically hives but with a Formal name. I was so excited to have a name. This is my second pregnancy and my second rash. Benedryl, cortisone or Allegra. There's nothing they can really so until the baby comes and then it's steroids galore!

    I don't know what else anyone has, but it's worth a asking about.

    I just had to respond to this. I have chronic urticaria even without pregnancy. I was seeing a dermatologist already when one of my flares came up and she did nothing. Then about a year and a half ago I had it bad enough my primary sent me to an allergist. It was the best thing ever and there is actually a lot they can do.

    I take Zyrtec (works better than other with hives and I have tried the others), pepcid, and singulair. The way it was explained to me is that they just need to counteract the histamine production until it stops. And it can be done for longer term if needed than steroids.

    Maybe it would be worth seeing an allergist?
  • NovvbabyNovvbaby member
    edited August 2015
    Last night I was so itchy all over my boobs and nipples I wanted to scratch them off my oB had prescribed with a cream and I Put some on, and oh my gosh did it do wonders :)!
  • I also had to reply to this, to anyone who does not have a rash but is itchy, more so at night, on their feet and hands, there is a pregnancy condition called Obstetric Cholestasis. I have had this twice and currently 22 weeks and have it for a third time. It is a liver condition that can only be tested for under the 'bile acids' lab test. Delivery is safest between 36-37 weeks, left untreated and unmonitored there is a risk of stillbirth and maternal hemorrhage, however with proper care and medication, Urso, the risks are the same of a normal pregnancy.
    I used to scratch with a knife or wire brush, and not sleep more than an hour at night, it is not a common condition but please ask for your bile acids to be tested, and retested if you continue to show symptoms ( upper right quadrant pain, dark urine, itchy mostly at night) it took 16 weeks my second pregnancy for the levels to show elevated although I had symptoms. Stay safe mamas!
  • @Mizuiro007 - can you take all that while you're pregnant? She referred me to an allergist, but said she didn't think there's anything more than what I'm doing now. Benedryl at night and cortisone 10 cream. Derm said Allegra if needed, but I'm already taking the Benedryl to knock me out from the itch at night. So I haven't made an appt with the allergist yet.

    I had this exact same thing with my first. My OB recommended nothing then. I was miserable and stupid for not going to the derm then.

    If you have this all the time I feel for you!! This is awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
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  • I'm at 22 weeks and 5 days with my 2ND child and was just diagnosed with PUPPS. Not at all typical for 2nd trimester! I saw 3 docs and was diagnosed by a dermatologist. I'm on 2 weeks of lower dose steroids but was advised to do cool compresses, baths and topical cream to settle itch with flare ups from her on out!
  • mrussello said:
    @Mizuiro007 - can you take all that while you're pregnant? She referred me to an allergist, but said she didn't think there's anything more than what I'm doing now. Benedryl at night and cortisone 10 cream. Derm said Allegra if needed, but I'm already taking the Benedryl to knock me out from the itch at night. So I haven't made an appt with the allergist yet. I had this exact same thing with my first. My OB recommended nothing then. I was miserable and stupid for not going to the derm then. If you have this all the time I feel for you!! This is awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
    My doctor told me that nearly every over the counter allergy medicine and acid reflux/heartburn medication is totally safe. I've consistently taken Zyrtec when my allergies flare up and the Costco brand of Pepcid. Check with your doc but most of those drugs are okay.
  • @mrussello Yes! They are all category B drugs and concidered safe to take during pregnancy. I'm even able to take Zyrtec twice a day rather than once.

    I would really recommend seeing the allergist. Like I said, my first couple outbreaks I saw my primary (a different one at the time) and was put on steroids until they cleared with no explaination. Later I was seeing a dermatologist and she confirmed it was hives and said they'd pass and not much to do for them. Then finally I had a horrible outbreak and my current primary sent me to an allergist. They started me on the medications right away and did bloodwork. It came back that mine is caused by an antibody which attacks my mast cells (mast cells are in you skin and intestines and burst to release histamine which causes hives, same thing happens with a bug bite).

    I can go months between outbreaks and they can be mild or severe. My last pregnancy they were hardly an issue but this pregnancy they've been worse. It's just the way it goes but the mess make a whole world of difference. I can also use otc hydrocortisone cream, apply cold compresses and take cool baths. All of this is supported by my OB but she's said she wouldn't have thought to prescribe it.
  • @mrussello Yes! They are all category B drugs and concidered safe to take during pregnancy. I'm even able to take Zyrtec twice a day rather than once.

    I would really recommend seeing the allergist. Like I said, my first couple outbreaks I saw my primary (a different one at the time) and was put on steroids until they cleared with no explaination. Later I was seeing a dermatologist and she confirmed it was hives and said they'd pass and not much to do for them. Then finally I had a horrible outbreak and my current primary sent me to an allergist. They started me on the medications right away and did bloodwork. It came back that mine is caused by an antibody which attacks my mast cells (mast cells are in you skin and intestines and burst to release histamine which causes hives, same thing happens with a bug bite).

    I can go months between outbreaks and they can be mild or severe. My last pregnancy they were hardly an issue but this pregnancy they've been worse. It's just the way it goes but the mess make a whole world of difference. I can also use otc hydrocortisone cream, apply cold compresses and take cool baths. All of this is supported by my OB but she's said she wouldn't have thought to prescribe it.

    I don't know you but I love you!!! I would never have thought to see an allergist. Never thought this was hives. I'll be calling the allergist tomorrow. Hopefully I can get in soon. With my last pregnancy. I was scratching so hard and so much that I was drawing blood in my sleep. It was horrible. I never have it except with pregnancy. It's crazy. Thank you for your advice and commenting. Huge help:)
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