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PUPPPS Postpartum???  

post #1 of 11
10/15/08 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
I am 99% sure I have PUPPPs. My belly started itching badly a day or two after delivery. At first I thought maybe it was a yeast rash, but after doing some reading online I'm thinking it's PUPPPs. The itching is crazy, and pictures of PUPPPs I found online look exactly like what I've got. Has anyone else had this AFTER the baby came? I read that it usually happens during pregnancy but sometimes starts after the birth and is much more common when you've had a boy, which I did.

If you've had this, what helped you the most with the itching? I'm using Grandpa's Pine Tar soap, and that's helping more than any anti-itch topical thing I've tried(Solarcaine Aloe Gel, Lotrimin cream, Bactine, Aveeno Cream, Hydrocortisone). I read that sometimes it can last several months and can spread to the legs, arms and back. So far, it's staying on my belly, but the area has doubled in size over the last week and a half.
post #2 of 11
10/15/08 at 11:55pm
I got PUPPS postpartum with my first and it lasted almost 5 months. They took a biopsy to diagnose it since I also have lupus. Sorry you're uncomfortable
post #3 of 11
10/16/08 at 12:03am
Thread Starter 
5 months? Oh my. I hope this doesn't hang around that long. That must've been miserable!

What gave you the best relief?
post #4 of 11
10/16/08 at 1:56am
At first I tried to go natural and "tough it out." I used a topical relief gel from my ND and took some herbs that are allegedly safe for bf. 3 weeks into it I tried topical steroids and those gave me moderate relief, but the rash was still present. At 11-12 weeks postpartum I started oral steroids (prednisone) that masked my rash. My body was still a little itchy, but it was the best I'd felt. AFter tapering off the steroids (about a 3 week course) the rash came back. I spent the last 6 weeks just waiting for it to go away because I didn't want to take any more medication. My dermatologist said it's the worst case of postpartum PUPPS she'd ever heard about and wrote me up in some journal.

Prior to TTC this pregnancy I did a liver detox recommended by my ND and some accupuncture. I think I have a bit of a rash on the top of my belly, but nothing bad yet. We'll have to wait and see how I do postpartum this time.
post #5 of 11
10/16/08 at 1:58am
Oh, mama, I hope you feel better soon! I have no experience with PUPPPs at all, but I'm sure it must be miserable. I hope you get some relief!
post #6 of 11
10/16/08 at 2:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamanurse View Post
At first I tried to go natural and "tough it out." I used a topical relief gel from my ND and took some herbs that are allegedly safe for bf. 3 weeks into it I tried topical steroids and those gave me moderate relief, but the rash was still present. At 11-12 weeks postpartum I started oral steroids (prednisone) that masked my rash. My body was still a little itchy, but it was the best I'd felt. AFter tapering off the steroids (about a 3 week course) the rash came back. I spent the last 6 weeks just waiting for it to go away because I didn't want to take any more medication. My dermatologist said it's the worst case of postpartum PUPPS she'd ever heard about and wrote me up in some journal.

Prior to TTC this pregnancy I did a liver detox recommended by my ND and some accupuncture. I think I have a bit of a rash on the top of my belly, but nothing bad yet. We'll have to wait and see how I do postpartum this time.

Thanks for the info. So from what I keep reading about it, there's basically no cure or sure fix for it. You just treat the itching with whatever works for you and wait for it to run its course which can vary widely from one person to the next. I hope you don't have it this time!


Quote:
Originally Posted by freedak View Post
Oh, mama, I hope you feel better soon! I have no experience with PUPPPs at all, but I'm sure it must be miserable. I hope you get some relief!
Thanks :-) It's pretty itchy, but at least it's not dangerous for me or the baby and isn't contagious. Hopefully it won't spread all over my body like some stories I've read!
post #7 of 11
10/16/08 at 11:11am
I had it after my first birth, too. I also ended up on Prednisone. Nothing else worked. I have since learned a couple of things that may help. Homeopathic Apis can help with the itch. But the most helpful thing for me was finding out that the liver is where the problem comes from. (preg hormones are difficult for the liver to metabolize.) My chiropractor/applied kinesiologist did some adjustments and gave me a supplement to help clear out the liver. Some other natural liver supports are milk thistle and dandelion. I hope you get some relief soon. It's a hard way to start out with a new baby. Good luck.
post #8 of 11
10/17/08 at 12:46pm
I had it during pregnancy. Nothing helped but ice. I bought every otc cream, lotion, et and noyhing helped. One thing I think helped wasan herbal liver defense tincture taken by mouth. I had it on my entire body so I feel your pain.
post #9 of 11
10/17/08 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks ladies! I think mine is starting to improve. I can't even imagine how miserable it would be to have it on your entire body! Thankfully mine is confined to my belly.
post #10 of 11
10/17/08 at 9:39pm
^ Hey, it's miserable no matter what-you totally have my sympathy. I'm glad it's clearing up-it's such a relief to not be itchy.
Although every time I have an itch now, I freak out because I'm afraid it's coming back!
post #11 of 11
10/17/08 at 10:08pm
Thread Starter 
Mine definitely seems better today. It's fading and looks rough and dried out where the worst of the itching had been. It just itches a teeny bit around the edges. Glad to hear yours is pretty much gone.
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