How to deal with annoying pregnancy skin issues

bumptara · August 2015

Have you been waiting to experience the “pregnancy glow” you’ve heard so much about, only to find your skin is totally freaking out lately?

Like sunscreen on a hot day, we’ve got you covered. Here, Bump experts explain the causes of these common problems and how to tackle them.

How do you deal with these annoying skin issues?

TrinityJoy · August 2015

I take cooler showers and drink lots of water!

OliveOyl2014 · August 2015

My biggest skin issue is the skin tags! They seem to be popping up all over. I had them with my first pregnancy and it took a while for them to go away.

rachelbxx · August 2015

My skin became really sensitive and an itchy rash appeared on my arms and legs. I changed laundry powder and body wash to natural products to see if it would help, but it made no difference. I ended up getting prescribed non-ionic lotion and a low percent hydrocortisone cream from my GP and it cleared up straight away. Definitely worth the visit to the GP!

candicequeen · August 2015

I had to start an expensive yet effective acne regime

brite12 · August 2015

So I started itching intensely couple of days ago, no real change in my routine or diet, just got back from my OB, she wants to check me for cholestasis, so going for labs now and also sent me to triage just to make sure everything is ok, as I think the movements have decreased a bit.
Hoping for the best

Elecin · August 2015

Skin tags! But really, they're so tiny that they don't even concern me. Really my skin is the best it's ever been. I'm not looking forward to getting my acne back after LO gets here.

KRHARMAN · August 2015

Acne. Like teenage girl acne! I've done everything I can come up with, and it won't go away. With DS, my face was the best it's ever been. Now, pregnant with DD my face can't handle the extra estrogen

crysjams · August 2015

Try gently washing with the blue Bioderma face wash. Once in the morning once before bed. I haven't moisturized my face (causes breakouts - even with the extra sensitive stuff.) if you do get the odd pimple. Put pollysporon on it with a Q-tip until it's gone. DON'T PICK! If you cave and pop then pollysporon still until completely healed. Also if you wear make-up. Try non comedegenic make-up like Laura Mercier photo foundation at sephora - it doesn't clog your pores or add bacteria. You can also get a free sample along with the cover up if you just explain you don't know how your skin will react.

acstewart14 · August 2015

@brite12 Make sure they retest you if it comes back lower than 10 on the bile acids. I have had Cholestasis 3 times now and the second time it took about 13 weeks to show in my blood tests even though I itched that whole time

brite12 · August 2015

@acstewart14 bile salts came back at 4, I opted not to test again (she did mention to me she wanted to) but my liver tests are fine and there is no itching on my palms or soles of my feet. Also the itching is almost gone with the Zyrtec and Zantac combo. Do u think it's still worth to check bile salts again?

acstewart14 · August 2015

@brite12 how many weeks are you? At 37 weeks I was just borderline above a diagnosis, around 10 I believe in 2 days it went to 35. The numbers can change drastically but it's generally with itchy hands and feet , although there are many women who have it elsewhere.
I'd say just to be safe, it's an easy test to run just to be sure. The itching is caused from a chemical reaction not actually the bile salts, when you're the most or even least itchy symptoms alone can't tell you the numbers, only the bile salts test can tell what's truly going on. So it may be so the medication is working and you have no symptoms but the bile acids could actually still be climbing, that's why I'd say just to be safe to get another one done.
There is a Facebook group called ICP itchy moms that many women are a part of it you have more questions! You can always Google the email address for Jenny chambers as she works with researchers concerning Cholestasis and always gave me great advice.

We were close to losing my little guy that time as I wasn't on the medication for Cholestasis so rather not take any risks

kacjp · September 2015

I started breaking out like a teenager and nothing would really help. I was going to a naturopath and she has put me on fish oil for my hip pain during 3rd trimester and surprise surprise... My skin is pretty good now. She feels bad for not suggesting it earlier as I was getting the inflammatory acne which can sometimes clear up with fish oil. I'm only using goat milk soap and a $25 face moisturiser once a day now. However it may have solved the acne on my face, but for the first time I also have it all over my upper back. Nothing seems to help with that

lmtflower · September 2015

The skin tags! OMG, the skin tags. I the one's I hate are on my nipples AND my eye lids. I can deal with them everywhere else, though.

I have super itchy skin on my elbows and my butt. I see my OB tomorrow, and I'm going to ask her about the one on my butt as it seems more like a rash or athletes foot (style).

vick99 · September 2015

I have very bad itchy skin it's so bad I can't sleep at night also dry skin around my edges

mmcknight · September 2015

I knew I had stretch marks but I didn't realize how many. No wonder my stomach itches and hurts so much.

mak1020 · September 2015

I have skin tags everywhere! On my arms and legs and one inside my belly button!!!! Like wth lol super annoying.

mommytobe1913 · September 2015

I have just started getting this little rash on my cheeks. It itches like crazy. I have been washing with Dove soap and putting Vaseline on it in the morning. Also I have had a bad rash on my wedding ring finger since my second trimester. My Hubs ended up having to use a wire cutter to get my engagement ring off.

Jennaroo24 · September 2015

My skin burns where my bra sits. Anyone else experiencing this?

mmcknight · September 2015

Ladies with Pupps. What does yours look like and how did it feel? What were your first symptoms?

Wigglesx2 · September 2015

@mmcknight . Mine just started. Happened quickly over 3 days. The itch puts me in tears. My marks have gotten redder and raised. Some went from red to orange. I've itched so much I've bled.

I've tried Cortizone cream, doesn't work, and tropical Benadryl. It's helping a little. Hoping to try an oatmeal bath today. Tried a cold compress but it stings like hell!

kaitlynn80 · September 2015

I had dry flakes on my face.

Doc said it's eczema. Never had eczema before. I put Cetaphil cream for couple of days and it cleared it. Whew.

cmanz · September 2015

I'm so with you guys and the skin tags- I didn't have them with My first and now I have them. That and that chloasma on my forehead can bugger off any day lol

Bingj · September 2015

I have acne on my bottom and I hate it! Any advice?!

mommav83 · September 2015

My skin on my stomach was super itchy. Picked up Aveeno skin relief body lotion and oh my gosh I am in love. My skin feels so much better. The acne though that is killing me I'm breaking out like I'm 16 and I can't get it to stop. Ugh 3 more weeks to go.

coconut090514 · September 2015

Yes!!!!! All day long!!! Bra and no bra!!! I have tried to put toilet paper where my bra sits and lotion nothing helps!!!

thinkrabbit · September 2015

I think I pulled my groin muscles just walking around the neighborhood!

Knottie16288692 · September 2015

Anybody else itching like crazy with small raised bumps? The doctor said its not pupps or cholestasis. I'm supposed to see a dermatologist next week. I use pine tar soap and sarna lotion and it helps but its not taking the itch away completely. Its similar to mosquito or ant bites and I get blisters between my fingers and toes from scratching so much. I'm only 34 weeks and have been dealing with this for a month! Its driving me crazy. I took the zyrtec/zantac combo, I've used Benadryl, I was prescribed steroids. Nothing seems to help.

mcrose87 · September 2015

I had PUPPs that went away with the steroids but an itchy rash still on my arms, thighs and legs that won't go away. Cortizone works a little but a wash cloth in the freezer helps temporarily at least.

luneartiste6 · September 2015

Yes!!! I thought I was the only one. It's all over my thighs down to my knees. The itch never goes away. I've tried everything topical.

Wigglesx2 · September 2015

I've tried nearly everything for my puppps but it's gotten worse

Things I've tried:
Oral Benadryl
Topical Benadryl
Cortizone cream
Hydrocortisone cream (this was a prescription I got)
Coco butter/Burts Bees Mommy belly butter
Witch hazel (the nurse told me NOT to use this after I told her. Apparently it dries out the skin)
Grandpa's pine tar soap
Oatmeal bath
Oral steroid (now I'll need another steroid in my IV because of this)
Not itching (Ha!)
Crying (Made me emotionally feel better but not physically)
Cold towel

mirygmz07 · September 2015

I started getting little bumps on my arms a week ago and At first I thought they were mosquito bites but they just keep appearing! So im wondering...could this be PUPP? I havent seen any on my stomach and just a few on my back & legs. Its mainly on my arms and hands

I plan on asking my Dr on Monday but just seeing what you girls think!

h3speris · September 2015

Dandelion root tea, twice a day. Suppose to clear the liver. My midwife told me about it. Seems to have helped me, but I'm also doing alllll of the things you listed too. Give it a try?

SMGoodlett · September 2015

Knottie16288692 said:
Anybody else itching like crazy with small raised bumps? The doctor said its not pupps or cholestasis. I'm supposed to see a dermatologist next week. I use pine tar soap and sarna lotion and it helps but its not taking the itch away completely. Its similar to mosquito or ant bites and I get blisters between my fingers and toes from scratching so much. I'm only 34 weeks and have been dealing with this for a month! Its driving me crazy. I took the zyrtec/zantac combo, I've used Benadryl, I was prescribed steroids. Nothing seems to help.

I have this! The last couple days I've noticed this. The bumps are tiny, could almost be like a razor bump or ant bite. It's always random and it ITCHES so bad. I can't figure out what causes it.

Knottie16288692 · September 2015

SMGoodlett said:

Anybody else itching like crazy with small raised bumps? The doctor said its not pupps or cholestasis. I'm supposed to see a dermatologist next week. I use pine tar soap and sarna lotion and it helps but its not taking the itch away completely. Its similar to mosquito or ant bites and I get blisters between my fingers and toes from scratching so much. I'm only 34 weeks and have been dealing with this for a month! Its driving me crazy. I took the zyrtec/zantac combo, I've used Benadryl, I was prescribed steroids. Nothing seems to help.
I have this! The last couple days I've noticed this. The bumps are tiny, could almost be like a razor bump or ant bite. It's always random and it ITCHES so bad. I can't figure out what causes it.

Saw my doctor yesterday and he still can't figure out what it is. I've done a lot of research in natural remedies for pregnancy induced itching and nothing really helps me completely. I did find a condition called prurigo of pregnancy. Its supposed to go away after delivery. Keep your skin moisturized and try not to scratch. I know its very hard because the itching can be so intense! I went back to using my old soap Dove with shea butter followed up with Jergens original lotion. It seems to help and its drying out the bumps a little. Sorry you are going through this!! Hopefully we don't have to endure this for too much longer

Louisl · September 2015

I have terrible itching too but seems to be mostly on my (now very spread out) appendectomy scar. Pine tar soap did nothing, but the best thing I've found so far is to wash the area with a gentle (I'm using oatmeal) soap, then apply some peppermint oil and that burns a little while it sinks in. Then follow with lotion or vitamin e oil. It's worked the past few days but this morning the peppermint burned like crazy, prob because I've been itching at night.

baby5007 · October 2015

I broke out in a horrid case of Dyshidrotic eczema over a month ago. Affected my hands and feet, with smaller patches on my inner thighs and calves. The itching was unbearable, and there were literally thousands of little fluid filled blisters between my fingers and toes that spread to tops, bottoms and sides of my hands and feet. Cortisone cream did nothing, and I resorted to Benedryl twice a day and slathering on Eucerine cream. It was AWFUL!! After looking online I decided to try Apple cider vinegar (with "mother") soaks. The relief was immediate. All I did was mix the vinegar in warm water and soak my hands and feet in the bowl for about 10 mins. It was easily the most helpful thing I did! The itching was relieved within minutes, and after a few days of soaking, the bumps started to disappear altogether. I used to use this on my dog who suffered from skin allergies, and it worked on him as well!

Knottie16288692 · October 2015

Yeah my rash is still irritating but I notice it's starting to go away. After researching, I got a tip to drink V8 every morning. I can't stomach that stuff but I figured it's just tomato juice which is acidic. I Supplemented Orange juice and see dramatic results on my arms. My legs still itch like crazy but could be from swelling.

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