Itching driving me mad!

[bumpcarrier]

Is it normal to feel itchy everywhere? I literally can't stop scratching and it is driving me insane - especially at night. I also have a small rash on my belly (under my boobs), legs and bum (but not sure if that is due to scratching so much). Also just had thrush - gp prescribed Caneston but I don't think it is working as it is still so itchy! Has anyone else had this? I am 26wks+ pg and it is really getting me down.

[Theyremybiscuits]

I would contact your midwife if I were you.

Sometimes when you are pregnant you can develop a condition affecting your liver I believe.

Your bilirubin levels may be alittle raised.

Best to get it checked out.

[Leilababyno1]

Give your community MW a call, the number will be on the front of your green pregnancy notes....Severe itching should always be checked out. I had this at 32 weeks and was told to go in. To be honest though as you are 26 weeks it probably isn't anything to worry about but best to get it checked.

They will just do a blood test, so don't worry..

[Leilababyno1]

As theyremybiscuits said- it can sometimes be a sign of 'OC'...a liver complication...but don't worry, it's probably nothing!

[MrsMogwai]

Itching can be normal, but as there is a pregnancy related liver condition - obstetric cholestasis - that is linked to itching (especially itching on the soles of feet and palms of the hands), definitely worth getting it checked out.

[bumpcarrier]

not got itching on the soles of my feet or palms of my hands so it is probably not that but I will check with the mw to make sure. thanks for the advice!

[BucketOfSoldiers]

Itching can be a normal "side effect" of pregnancy and can be eased by creams, oatmeal baths

OC usually starts on the soles of the feet and/or palms of the hands bfore it progresses (I had it)

The rash makes me think is is PUPP type thing rather than OC. BUt i am not medically qualified in any way.

[frida75]

I'm itching like a mad woman too, I'm 31 weeks and it's the soles of my feet and my face... think I'd better get in touch with the midwife on monday.

Glad I looked on here as I would have just thought it another weird pregnancy side effect.

[Yorkstar]

Im itching like crazy too, made myself bleed and very sore in places. I had bloods done at 36 weeks (last week) and results for Obstetric Cholestasis were borderline high so i have to have extra monitoring and bloods done again on Tues to check for rising levels. Did not have anything like this with ds but itching is driving me mad - especially like you describe bumpcarrier on a night. Lets us know how you get on.

[peanutbutterontoast]

me too! I'm 27 weeks & have had it for 4 weeks now. Mine is classic PUPPS (though I've had blood taken for OC to be safe) - itchy rash started on my tummy, now all over my thighs, boobs, arms & starting on my back. It is horrendous - all my stretch marks are inflamed & gross, I've got a couple of infected areas too :(

Obstetrician has prescribed 1% hydrocortisone cream, aqueous cream with 0.5% menthol & 4mg piriton x3/day (I can only use it at night because it makes me drowsy though). It is absolute misery.

[RingEir]

I'm 24 weeks and have this too, although not as bad as you Bumpcarrier. I have two patches of rash on my belly and one on my back, which has bled due to over-scratching. Dr prescribed a cortisone cream, which helps, but I am convinced that what is really aggravating it is the hard water in our area. It is always much worse after a shower, and when I went to visit friends in another part of the country (with soft water) the itching went away.

[MaryBS]

Let us know how it goes. I had Obstetric Cholestasis with both my two, both born healthily. In my case, I kept mentioning to the midwife about my itching, and she said nothing (at the time I didn't know about OC). It was only when I asked a pharmacist for advice, that she tipped me off