[nabigus]

Help help help! My breasts--and my nipples in particular--are so itchy that I'm going crazy. It's not the "normal" itchiness of stretching skin and pregnant breasts--that I had earlier in my pregnancy. I feel like I've having some kind of allergy to anything touching my skin--particularly the breasts--that's a kind of prickly itchiness, like being eaten by fire ants.

I was already using the hypoallergenic/no perfume or dyes/biodegradable laundry detergent, as well as a mild olive oil soap on my skin. I've made sure I'm only using hypoallergenic lotion (and lanisoh on nipples), and that I'm only wearing seamless bras. I've occasionally gotten the same uncontrollable itchiness on my stomach and thighs (again, feels different than standard preggers itchiness). Not wearing clothes helps, but obviously that's not the long-term solution.

:

Anyone had this or have any ideas? TIA!

 

[stafl]

don't use soap, don't use lotion unless you can pronounce all the ingredients (even if it says it's hypoallergenic, it may not be) and know where they came from. Try something simple instead, like cocoa butter or shea butter by itself. You might want to hold off on the lansinoh, too, just in case it might be a lanolin allergy. Make sure you are using the tiniest bit of laundry detergent, and rinse it out really well. Don't use any sort of fabric softener. You might want to get a latex-free bra (decent exposures offers them).

ETA: it could be thrush. Don't eat sugar, wheat, or dairy; take some probiotics, and see if that helps.

 

[erth mama]

You might want to try a simple oil blens instead of a lotion. Sweet almond oil with a few drops each of lavender and chamomile essential oils might help. I feel for you, itchy breasts are really irritating. good luck...

 

[erth mama]

oops....simple oil blend..i meant

 

[nabigus]

I'm off to the natural foods store to scare up some various oils--thanks so much for the great ideas. I've actually also got a call into my m/w because the itch was spreading and feeling not-normal. no word back yet....

 

[Hayes]

yeast yeast yeast
I had skin yeast after #1 was born. Do anti yeast stuff, GSE, TTO, no sugar, heck, try some lotrimin if you want. Probiotics, etc. etc.

 

[texmama3]

I get hives at the end of my pregnancy and early post-partum and (particularly on my face and chest) and I make a tea using fenugreek seeds (bought bulk at Whole Foods or other health food store if they carry them) and I soak a washcloth and apply it to the affrected area a few times a day. Worth a try...