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Pregnancy

Aaaarrgh!! So frickin' ITCHY!

14 replies

McSnail · 04/08/2009 16:00

Have had the blood tests for the liver condition that can cause this (negative) Tests confirmed anaemia though.

I am literally CLAWING at myself. I want to cry - found myself waddling down the road to pick up my prescription for iron tablets, scratching my groin area, then under my arms, then down my legs - I must have looked like a freak.

Has anyone else had this? Is there some sort of itch cream that works?

OP posts:

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eleeeesse · 04/08/2009 17:35

I am very itchy too my bloods came back normal although anaemic too. Doctor prescribed me eurax which I don't find very useful. He also prescribed doublebase (just a moisturiser) which I apply very very heavily as that's all that helps. I then sit gingerly with the cream all over me until I have to move, then I rough towel it off (bliss!) and apply a normal amount. sigh, pregnancy is difficult enough and being itchy is so horrible! Good luck with it.

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fadingfast · 04/08/2009 22:37

I would ask to have the bloods repeated after a few days just to double check liver function - obstetric cholestasis can take a while to appear in the tests.

If it's already been discounted then I am sure it is nothing to worry about but might be worth having another test to make sure.

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coffeechat · 05/08/2009 08:19

i had this too! i used to scratch my legs so much they bled (some have left scars!!) I used to spray my legs with those cooling sprays you can get which seemed to help. My ds2 is six weeks now and the moment I had him the itching stopped if thats any hope for you!

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LoveMyGirls · 05/08/2009 08:27

I had this too, from my ankles to my neck for 7mths of my 1st pregnancy, did go a few days after having dd1 though.

How many weeks are you?

I think I might have used emolient cream or aquerous cream? (sp?) It was 10yrs ago now so things may have moved on.

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DoomBar · 05/08/2009 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

greensnail · 05/08/2009 22:10

I had obstetric cholestasis so I can sympathise with the itching. I found frequent cold baths with a drop of bio oil in really helpful, then would cover myself with aqueous cream. Keeping the cream in the fridge helps. I used to spend hours rubbing my feet on the door mat because they were so itchy

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Supercherry · 06/08/2009 09:52

I find bio-oil helpful to combat an itchy stomach too.

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Boblina · 06/08/2009 10:34

Hi, I totally understand how you feel I had PUPPs www.bbc.co.uk/dna/hzgz/a2829297
in my first pregnancy and I am hoping now 25 weeks that it does not happen in this one. The itchyness does drive you crazy. The only thing that worked for me was a steroid cream which my doctor prescribed. It is very uncommon so I was lucky that my doctor had seen a case before and knew what I had. The hospital and midwife were not aware of this condition. You you have a lumpy rash? My rash and ichyness stopped as soon as my DS was born. I hope you find something that works but would suggest wear loose clothes and an oatmeal bath. Calmomine lotion is another one but keep the bottle in the fridge. Good luck

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Tillyscoutsmum · 06/08/2009 10:39

I had it with dd (PUPP) - it was hideous. Mainly on my legs and bump. Oddly, the only thing that seemed to relieve it was Clarins energizing leg lotion here. Not the cheapest, but it lasted a while and was well worth it for me

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olivo · 06/08/2009 12:39

i had it badly in first pg, from toes to neck. i used bicarb of soda in the bath, lots of E45 lotion, face cloths from the freezer in my bed at night and eventually, a steroid cream from the hospital. i have it this time but much more mildly but my face and head are itchy this time too. cool bedding, cool clothes and spending as much time in cool water as possible (bath, shower, sea, pool) seem to help too.
good luck, it's horrible, but most cases clear straight after the birth.

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McSnail · 06/08/2009 13:44

Thanks everyone! Not been so itchy today - have been smothering myself in Bio-oil (can't bear the smell, and God it's expensive but it does help)

I just keep thinking, 'Not long to go, not long to go', and that in a week or so baby will be out and the itching will be GONE.

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starkadder · 10/08/2009 20:34

I had this too - I did have the liver thing. Was horrible. Am now pregnant again and really really hopìng it doesn't happen this time, although chances are it will...

Oatmeal baths helped although are a bit gross. Get some oatmeal, put it in a pair of old tights (!), tie it up and drop in bath. Makes bath all soupy. A bit like bathing in porridge. V cheap though and surprisingly effective...