Pregnant with eczema

[SpwJd]

Anyone else pregnant and suffer from eczema ?
I'm struggling. It's really flared up and can no longer taken my medication. I'm hesitatant to take my antihistamine that I normally take every day. Can't use the steroid cream as is not meant to be used in oregnancy. When I was pregnant before I had to have light therapy at the hospital.
I'm currently entering week four of the pregnancy and already I've flared up on my face. Arms. Back and Chest. The thought of nine months of this scares me.
Any thing I've not thought of ?

[CatRash]

Sorry to hear you're suffering. I don't usually suffer that much, have in the past but don't get it often, but pregnancy made my hands flared up almost immediately. The doctor was able to prescribe me a mild steroid cream which works.

[HamletsSister]

Bicarbonate of soda relieves itching (in the bath). MooGoo can be good. I use Aveno which helps to take down flare ups.

But, small quantities of steroid creams were prescribed by my Dr.

[ThatsNotEvenAWord]

Go to the dr. Mine flared up badly in pregnancy and afterwards. Pregnancy affects your immune system and the hormones don't help either. You could also try an oat bath - run your bath through some tights stuffed with oats.

[giddyasakipper]

Mine has been unbearable throughout my pregnancy so far! When it's really nasty an oat bath gives some relief and also warm baths with Sanex for very dry skin or E45 oil (sometimes both!)

Make sure you slather yourself in Epaderm ointment (they sell it over the counter in Boots) afterwards and hopefully you'll see some improvements like I did!

[vfoster]

Another vote for oat baths and epaderm. Both are really helpful.
I'm 16 weeks at the minute and mine has almost disappeared over the last few weeks. No idea why!

[babynelly2010]

Mine came ip strongly and went away almost entirely in second trimester. I do have some on my head which I think is stress related rather than pregnancy but it does not bother me that much. I did put light steroid cream once or twice which helped.

[arbrighton]

GP said i could use eumovate if i needed. Mine has been noticeable but not unbearable so far (18weeks)

[AreWeThereYet000]

Lush do some bath wash/scrubs using oatmeal and that really soothes eczema x

[na5ima]

Have you tried coconut oil and shee butter raw mixed and made in to a cream?? I used it on myself and it work miracles just bought the raw stuff from amazon.. you can add few drops of essential oils for fragrance

[lloydlf76]

You can use your normal steroid cream and also take an antihistamine throughout pregnancy. I have horrendous excema and was under a dermatologist for my entire pregnancy and both were fine. The risk of a widespread infection (which is likely if your excema is flared and untreated) is far more serious than using steroid cream appropriately.

[SpwJd]

Thank you for your posts. I'm just scared to use the steroid creams as I read then can some times cause birth defects ! Reading that worried me so much especially as I'm in my first trimester.
If it carries on spreading at this rate I will definitely need to do something. It's so horrible. Woke up this mornig and my eyes are now all puffy and itchy now too!!
😩

[Caterina99]

I was told some steroid cream use was fine and certain antihistamines. I'd check with your GP and they can reassure you or may give you different ones. I had mine changed. I also found that after the first trimester my eczema improved dramatically and I didn't use them anyway. Sadly it came back a few months after the birth.

[tulip22]

My eczema has really got bad during pregnancy to the extent that even 'natural' deodorants give me a bad reaction. I've found the best way to manage it is, like others have put on this thread, copious amounts of Epaderm. I use it instead of shower gel (rub it in your hands to form a paste) and post shower coat myself in it. Before bed I put on another layer. It does make you a total grease ball and it is not very glamorous but it does seem to really work.

A doctor pointed out to me that long wet hair can make it worse (if on your back) as the shampoo residue and wet hair can irritate so after a shower I tie my hair up or dry it- this does make a surprising difference. Again use the Epaderm as a barrier cream on your back and shoulders before you shampoo to give your skin some protection from the shampoo.

What are your clothes made from? When I have a flare up I stick to only 100% cotton, and only wash my clothes in Fairy without any conditioner.

All of this seems like a huge faff and effort but for me it does enable me to avoid using strong creams and after a week of doing the above the burning and itching has gone so worth ago.

Good luck, I hope your eczema gets under control, it is so nasty and can be quite draining, I feel your pain!

[SpwJd]

Thanks ladies.
I generally have everything under control normally as I take strong antihistamine and also montelucast ( a drug for kids with asthma ) which stops me being allergic to most allergens although I have pretty much managed to reduce all allergens in my house over the years. I don't wear /use anything with perfume in etc.
I'm so so itchy tonight. I've not slept properly as I keep wakinh in the night itching.
I'm so so tempted to reach for the steroid cream but then I have this pang of guilt and think ' don't do it. Wait till the scan' as I've read it can lead to a cleft pallet....!!!
It's so so bad. The reason I took my pregnancy test early was to determine if I was pregnant and thinking I'd not be was going to start up my meds again... then found I was actually pregnant!
Counting down the days weeks till he scan. Once that's done I think I may have to resort to the creams as I'm not sure I can bear the itching for the whole 9 months!! 😢

[kmini]

We've currently had success with dermol500 before a bath (use instead of soap) and then epaderm cream (must be the pump) after bath for my son. Used in conjunction with steroid cream, buT really feel like this is a lot more helpful than epiderm ointment in isolation.

[Gardenbirdy]

Just came on to thank you ladies for the epaderm recommendation.
I'm 16 wks and have developed an Eczema patch on my cheek that nothing in my usual medicine cabinet (sudocrem, E45) will help. Bought some epaderm yesterday and it's pretty much gone.
Thank you mumsnet!