Anyone else itchy?

jen83mn · October 2015

I'm wondering if I have postpartum PUPPS or if it's a hormonal thing from breastfeeding. Around 3-4 weeks pp, my lower belly, insides of my knees, and tops of my feet were super itchy, and when I would scratch I would get a red, bumpy rash (like hives). I started using pine tar soap on those areas and Curell Itch Relief lotion (and hydrocortisone cream) and it finally went away around 6 weeks pp.

Now at 8 weeks pp, I've become really itchy on my chest, not on or near the nipples but in a circle a few inches away from my nipples. At first I thought it was from the outside of the disposable nursing pads rubbing against them, but I've been using washable pads for quite a few days now and they still itch and the rash is still there. I'm hesitant to use much since I'm breastfeeding. I also am itchy on my legs again, especially at night. We use a dye-free laundry detergent so I don't think it's that, unless I've suddenly become sensitive to some ingredient in the specific brand.

Anyone else? Any suggestions? I thought an itchy belly was awful, but an itchy chest is even worse!

rabonian · October 2015

I have the same thing, but no explanation. Sorry!

mill1020 · October 2015

Are you on hormonal bc?

jen83mn · October 2015

@rabonian - If you find anything that helps, keep me posted!

@mill1020 - Nope! Just using condoms.

ljhans · October 2015

That describes me too! Started itching like crazy at 38 weeks pregnant. Now I'm 4 weeks pp and my lower stomach, legs, thighs, feet, lower back, and arms itch Really bad with raised bumps now. Seems like it itches worse at night. I try not to scratch but then at some point every night I'm like SCREW IT, I MUST SCRATCH! I have the pine tar soap too and have tried Benadryl cream but nothing's worked. I thought about making a dermatologist appt tomorrow bc it's so miserable!!!!!

DreaMak · October 2015

I had this (the rash) 3 day pp and was proscribed steroids (safe for breastfeeding) and some pills to help the itchy feeling less intense, and it finally completely went away by 4-5w pp (steroids worked pretty fast)
I had to the back of my knees all the way up my thights to my butt checks and my lower stomach and the top part of my arms. The relief of scratching was pretty damn close to orgasmic it was insane. Soo glad its gone tho

ljhans · October 2015

@DreaMak was it your OB that prescribed you the steroid? Or general physician? So crazy that the rash affected the same places for you as they did me. what did your dr say was the cause of the itching/diagnosis?

jen83mn · October 2015

Curious if all of you who have experienced this had a baby boy or girl? If it is post-partum PUPPS, I've read it's more common in those who had a boy.

@DreaMak - Was it a steroid cream you were prescribed?

ljhans · October 2015

I have a boy

jen83mn · October 2015

I have an appointment to get it checked out today with the OB, so I'll keep you all posted!

DreaMak · October 2015

ljhans said:
@DreaMak was it your OB that prescribed you the steroid? Or general physician? So crazy that the rash affected the same places for you as they did me. what did your dr say was the cause of the itching/diagnosis?

& @jen83mn

Since i was still within the 20 days after delivery i went to L&D and saw the doctor on shift, i just explained what was going on showed him my arms (he dodnt seem to interested in looking , like he already knew) and just told me to go to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription. It was pills that was in a upside down pyramid form (i have tricarw and go to hospital it base so it may be different) he said he didnt know why i had it that it happens to women durring pregnancy or after birth but from what ive read he prescribed me what most women get woth the rash. No other creams worked at all.

jen83mn · October 2015

The OB I saw today was less than helpful. She advised me to take Benedryl and use Cortisone 10, then said if that didn't clear it up we could talk about prednisone. She was convinced it had to be a contact dermatitis issue and that something was irritating my chest, even though I wash my bras and tanks in free and clear soap and had been using the same nursing pads for weeks with no issues. I've since switched to washable nursing pads and still have the rash. She also didn't think the rash I had on my lower belly at 1 week to 4 weeks pp and the itchiness I had on the inside of my knees and feet at that time had anything to do with the rash I had now. However, if something is irritating my chest, it doesn't explain why I'm insanely itchy other places throughout the day too.

I asked the OB if she thought it could be post-partum PUPPS and she said no because that would only occur in the stretch marks on the stomach and that it's very rare. I'm no expert, but from what I've read PUPPS can effect anywhere on the body and rashes can occur, go away, then reoccur later in other places. Very frustrating that I felt like I knew more about PUPPS than she did! She did tell me if over-the-counter creams didn't work that I should probably see a dermatologist to see if something else was going on or if I'd developed an allergy to something because she's not an expert on skin issues.

I asked if Benedryl could effect my milk supply and she said no (which according to reputable online sources also is wrong). I asked the doctor if I could take non-drowsy Claritin instead since Benedryl makes me drowsy and she said I could but Benedryl would be better. However, after doing some research it appears that Claritin would be the better option and is less likely to effect my milk supply (especially since I only need to take it once a day). I also asked the pharmacist which would be a better choice when breastfeeding and she said Claritin.

I plan to take one Claritin a day at night before bed (when baby goes the longest in between feedings) and will use Cortisone 10 a few times a day on the rash on my chest, being careful to avoid the nipple area. I'll let you know if it works!

ljhans · October 2015

@jen83mn Thanks for sharing! I was reading about Claritin today too, and will probably try that as well. I may make a dermatologist appointment if it doesn't clear up soon. Definitely sounds like your doctor was really unhelpful! I've tried to think if I have contact dermatitis too, and I can't think of anything that could be irritating my skin like this. It's so miserable. I'm hoping and praying we get relief soon!

BrianaJ0917 · October 2015

Yes! Sooo itchy! And it's not just in one area it's anywhere and everywhere!! I have bad skin anyways (eczema and allergies) I take singulair every day and would love to take a Benadryl but that knocks me out for a solid 8 hrs and LO isn't sleeping enough for that! I use all free and clear soap and am very particular about body washes so I haven't changed anything but still it keeps getting worse! I've tried lotions, creams, coconut oil...everything and nothing seems to help! Haven't asked OB yet but if it doesn't get better soon I'm going to have to call..I don't know that I can wait another 2 weeks til my next appt! Hopefully we all get better soon!

bbdogs3 · October 2015

If you figure it out please let me know. I have had it for a month. Also has a little boy but pupps meds are not working. I have sores n scars from scratching

(

jen83mn · October 2015

bbdogs3 said:
If you figure it out please let me know. I have had it for a month. Also has a little boy but pupps meds are not working. I have sores n scars from scratching (

Which meds were you prescribed for PUPPS? Did your doc acknowledge it was indeed PUPPS?

jen83mn · October 2015

BrianaJ0917 said:
Yes! Sooo itchy! And it's not just in one area it's anywhere and everywhere!! I have bad skin anyways (eczema and allergies) I take singulair every day and would love to take a Benadryl but that knocks me out for a solid 8 hrs and LO isn't sleeping enough for that! I use all free and clear soap and am very particular about body washes so I haven't changed anything but still it keeps getting worse! I've tried lotions, creams, coconut oil...everything and nothing seems to help! Haven't asked OB yet but if it doesn't get better soon I'm going to have to call..I don't know that I can wait another 2 weeks til my next appt! Hopefully we all get better soon!

It's awful! I would recommend seeing a dermatologist instead of your OB if you decide to go, just in case your OB was as clueless about this as mine was! Considering we all have the same itchiness and rash, I highly doubt it's just a contact dermatitis issue.

I took a Claritin last night and have used the hydrocortisone cream twice since then, and it actually seems to be improving. I'm still a little itchy, but nothing like I was, and the rash seems less enflamed (probably because I haven't been as itchy so I haven't felt the urge to scratch). Hopefully a few days of treatment and it'll be better! Crossing my fingers anyways. And hoping it doesn't flare up again in a few weeks! I do not want to go back to work with a chest that needs to be scratched all day long, lol.

ljhans · November 2015

@jen83mn how is your rash and itching now? I talked to my OB's nurse and she said it sounds like postpartum PUPPPS and to avoid hot showers or baths, use cold compresses, hydrocortisone cream, and an antihistamine if I feel like I need to, though it could decrease my milk supply. So it sounds similar to what you're doing! I still have the itch really bad, especially at night, but the rash is less bumpy and raised. I'm going to start the hydrocortisone cream and do cold compresses and see how that goes, then start Claritin if it doesn't clear up in a few days. The nurse said puppps just lasts a few months after the baby is born, and is one of those things that just has to run its course but to do your best to help the itching the best you can. Lucky us!

jen83mn · November 2015

ljhans said:
@jen83mn how is your rash and itching now? I talked to my OB's nurse and she said it sounds like postpartum PUPPPS and to avoid hot showers or baths, use cold compresses, hydrocortisone cream, and an antihistamine if I feel like I need to, though it could decrease my milk supply. So it sounds similar to what you're doing! I still have the itch really bad, especially at night, but the rash is less bumpy and raised. I'm going to start the hydrocortisone cream and do cold compresses and see how that goes, then start Claritin if it doesn't clear up in a few days. The nurse said puppps just lasts a few months after the baby is born, and is one of those things that just has to run its course but to do your best to help the itching the best you can. Lucky us!

Thank you for the update! I'm glad your OB's nurse seems more knowledgeable about pp PUPPS that the OB I saw was! I've been taking Claritin for 5 nights now and using the hydrocortisone cream on my chest and it seems to be helping! The rash is going away and is much less itchy which is a huge relief. However, now I have the rash on my upper outer thighs ... seems like once it starts to go away one place it pops up somewhere else! And my lower legs are insanely itchy ... no rash but I'm breaking skin from itching!

The Claritin hasn't effected my milk supply at all. I take it right before bed after baby's final feeding of the night (since that's the longest time he goes before feeding again).

I'm hoping it will all go away soon! Hope you start to get some relief soon too!

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