[tatermom]

So, I've been very itchy for the past month or so and it's been getting worse... first it was just my stomach, now it's my arms and legs, back, even head. I should add that I had a PUPP rash immediately after DS was born last time (which was AWFUL) and this is definitely not that... After reading some scary stuff on the internet, I went for labwork today to rule out cholestasis (which can be very serious if left untreated). I felt really silly calling the 24 hr midwife help line to complain of itchiness, but I went ahead and did it because the worrying was starting to get to me. Anyone else have this? I probably won't know the results until later next week, but I feel better having at least addressed my concerns. Just thought I'd share... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[fw221]

My belly has been really itchy lately, but it's been really dry here (today notwithstanding), so I figure that's why. I should use lotion.

 

[Mommyintraining2]

Yes! Here's my story: At 21 weeks, I had the most excruciating itching I have ever experienced in my life. I couldn't sleep more than about an hour at a time. It was like the nerve endings in my skin were on fire. Pain would have been preferable to the itching. I scratched until I bled. I had my bile and liver tests done to check for cholestasis too, after terrifying myself through internet stories. I finally began treating myself as if it were a yeast infection. I avoided sugar and fats and took Candex (or Candidase) and Virustop. It seemed to begin easing some of the symptoms after about a week. When I accidentally forgot it on a trip I took, the itching returned with a vengeance. After about a month, I finally resolved myself to having this for the rest of the pregnancy. Well, all of a sudden, it began to subside. Now I'm about 99% symptom free.<br><br>
I never did figure out what it really was. One other thought I had is this strange virus that my mom and sister had around the same time. Theirs didn't itch, but their bodies broke out in a rash. I can't remember the name right now, but can find out if you would like. It's harmless and lasts six to twelve weeks. I'm leaning more toward the yeast explanation since I seemed to respond to the treatment. I'm even wondering if Pupps is yeast related, although I couldn't find that anywhere in my research.<br><br>
A couple of things that helped me through those six weeks: A cream called Sarna was amazing. It cools the skin and gives temporary relief. I went through almost two bottles. No other OTC creams worked. The other thing that helped were warm baking soda baths. I put in one cup per bath. I didn't want to get out!<br><br>
I am sooooooo sorry you are going through this. I decided during my worst itching that this was my last pregnancy. I would say the experience was as bad if not worse than my labor with my son. And that's saying a lot. I hope some of this info is helpful to you. Please feel free to contact my any time and I'd be glad to do what I can...even if it's just to commiserate!

 

[luckydog]

I had cholestasis with DD #1 (reason for induction at 39 weeks), but it didn't crop up until around 37 weeks. I was pretty miserable - the itching on my palms and soles was especially intense (I still remember leaping out of bed at 3 am to scrub my hands/feet on the carpet for some relief - of course it didn't really help).<br><br>
Very good idea to get tested for this so you can have it treated if it is cholestasis. My thoughts are with you and I hope your results come back negative for anything adverse. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[goodearthmama]

Do you have any sort of rash or bumps or is it just itchy skin?<br><br>
I have some sort of bumps on my back & it itches like crazy. My midwife says it is a form of Pupps. So I started taking 1000mg of dandelion root and it is really helping both the itchiness & the bumps. It is a liver tonic that promotes a healthier functioning liver and it also prevents anemia & is a mild diuretic to prevent swelling. SO it is a pretty good supplement. I am not sure what your situation entails exactly, but it may help.<br><br>
there's always: oatmeal baths, using a mild, natural oatmeal soap, aloe vera, calendula cream

 

[tatermom]

I got a preliminary result from the lab that my liver enzymes look fine, but I won't know the bile acid results until later in the week. I don't think I have any bumps on the itchy areas other than where my skin is irritated from me scratching it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> Thanks for the support, ladies! I got some new lotion yesterday and today I'm off to buy some stuff for an oatmeal bath. It's not driving me crazy, yet (unlike the PUPPs I had 2 years ago-- that was so itchy I couldn't think about anything else!), but it is certainly annoying.

 

[~Demeter~]

I just had a bout with some rashy itching on my tummy.. not sure if it's PUPPS but it was really uncomfortable when it would flare up. I was putting lanolin (all I had at the time), picked up some vit E yesterday and frozen packages of peas really helped me. The rash has really gone down from yesterday and I'm really not very itchy today.

 

[bdavis337]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>goodearthmama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7913805"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Do you have any sort of rash or bumps or is it just itchy skin?<br><br>
I have some sort of bumps on my back & it itches like crazy. My midwife says it is a form of Pupps. So I started taking 1000mg of dandelion root and it is really helping both the itchiness & the bumps. It is a liver tonic that promotes a healthier functioning liver and it also prevents anemia & is a mild diuretic to prevent swelling. SO it is a pretty good supplement. I am not sure what your situation entails exactly, but it may help.<br><br>
there's always: oatmeal baths, using a mild, natural oatmeal soap, aloe vera, calendula cream</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
I used dandelion and flaxseed during my last pg when I had about a month of horrendous rash and itching that my OB casually diagnosed as pupps, but then dismissed that idea when it disappeared with natural treatment.

 

[tatermom]

I had my mw appt tonight and my bile acid test was great (and the lab got it back extremely quickly, which is nice)-- so, no cholestasis, which is a relief. However, I'm still itching... need to go take an oatmeal bath. Unfortunately mw said I'm measuring close to 3 cm big (i.e. 3 weeks big) so she wants me to have an u/s to check baby's size... not sure if that's really necessary, but I guess I'm ok with it as I have only had 2 other u/s this pg (compared with my SIL with triplets who has them every other week! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">).