pregnancy induced eczema

[scarednoob]

I've never had eczema in my life before, but now I have an arm that's bright red, lumpy and itchy as hell, urgh. I'm seeing the doctor shortly, so will ask, but in the meantime does anyone have any tips?

and will it go away after giving birth? i know it's vain, but it's just so unsightly, and my arms are one of my few slim/attractive bits!!!

[Shootingstar2289]

I suffered from eczema as a young child which got better as I got older then came back again in pregnancy. Tips:

1. Don't use any irritants in the skin eg bubble baths, perfumed soaps, shower gel
   

1. Try not to itch it
   

1. Use creams made specially for eczema. your doctor can help you with this.
   

1. Also Apple cider vinegar works well for me. It stings at first but clears it up nicely.
   

1. Aveeno products are also very good.

[sianihedgehog]

Seconding Aveeno products!

[hartmel]

@shottingstar- regarding the apple cider vinegar do you bath in it or just rub it on the effected area???

[lastnightiwenttomanderley]

OP I never had eczema and got it with a vengeance when I was pregnant. Now 24 weeks and has eased a lot. At its worst, my feet looked like they had scalding water poured over them and it was all up my legs.

Tried some general aqueous/emolient creams but with no real luck.

GP prescribed a mild hydrocortisone which is suitable for use. Aveeno has been fantastic too - Dr prescribed it for me which I hadn't realised they could!

[ARV1981]

I suffer with eczema all the time.

I don't use soap to wash with but aqueous cream. My Dr prescribes me zerobase cream for moisturiser and I have a mild hydrocortisone cream for my face (the joy: it sometimes flares up on my eyelids!) And a something called clobavate for the rest of my body. These are safe during pregnancy, as both very mild. My Dr says it's better to treat eczema during pregnancy than let it get infected (which has happened to me when not pg, and is horrible horrible horrible).

Use non-bio washing detergent, or better still, boots does a sensitive washing detergent which is expensive but when my eczema flare up I use that.

Mine is made worse by house dust mites, so we have to Hoover a lot - not suggesting you don't, but it might be worth doing (or getting your OH to do) a little more than normal. Also change your sheets more regularly.

I once had it so bad I cut out lots of foods, but I wouldn't recommend during pregnancy. However citrus is known to make it worse, so maybe switch to Apple juice instead of Orange? Dairy is known to make it worse, but speak to your Dr about cutting it out/reducing it, as baby needs calcium. I can't give up cheese for long! Bad enough not being allowed brie, let alone giving up cheddar!!!

Also, it's hard I know, but try not to scratch. I scratch in my sleep, which is horrible because I don't know I'm doing it. I tried wearing gloves at night, but they fell off.

When it gets all inflamed, I use an ice pack to cool it down and sooth it.

Mine gets worse when I'm under stress, so try to reduce any stress you're under too.

[YummyCake84]

I had eczema as a child which went away over time and only ever occasionally flares up if I'm really stressed.

It flared up on my face and hands during early pregnancy and I found best thing was some 1% hydrocortisone cream(midwife and Dr said it was ok) when it was really bad and aveeno moisturiser. Even now it's cleared I still use the aveeno on the bits that had flared to keep it at bay. Have found things like eating lots of white bread can make it worse too

[YummyCake84]

Oh and e45 itch cream next to my bed at night as that's when my hands tended to flare up worse - this seemed to help and stop me scratching them as much

[seaoflove]

It could be PEP or PUPP (depending on the name you use!)

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruritic_urticarial_papules_and_plaques_of_pregnancy

I had this in my second pregnancy. It was mainly on my abdomen, but I also had it all along my forearm and my hands. It drove me MAD. It was so itchy and angry and lumpy and red.

I tried hydrocortisone and e45 and sweet almond oil - they all made the rash worse. In the end, I tried Dream Cream from Lush and that helped loads.

It's hormonal, apparently, and more common if you're having a boy. I did have a boy!

[wowiesis111]

Hi. I suffer but it got so much worse in pregnancy. I ended up having light therapy at the hospital which worked but they only do it for a short period ( and you must take stronger frolic acid whilst being treated as it uses up most of your reserve ). I have also been prescribed relatively strong steroid creams. I felt guilt using them but was assured by the specialist the ones I was using was ok and only minimal amount gets in the blood stream.
Perhaps ask to see a specialist. I'm 37 weeks almost and the majority has cleared up bit I still have the odd few patches that I'm treating. I found the first trimester the worst due to the hormones etc.
I hope this helps.

[scarednoob]

thanks all, really helpful. I have been using aveeno, but over the last day or 2 it's flared up again. i will try some of the other creams and see what works for me. also seeing the GP tomorrow; if he has anything useful to add, will post it on here!

[wowiesis111]

Also try Avène xera calm balm. It's quite pricey at £18 for a relatively big bottle but the most ministering cream I've tried. Ive suffered since childhood and until finding the Avène xera calm found the aveeno worked quite well.
Worth trying both. Hope it calms soon. I feel for you!