My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

As with all health-related issues, please seek advice from a RL health professional if you're worried about anything.

Postnatal health

PUPPPs Rash Postpartum

3 replies

JenniferD90 · 15/05/2022 14:14

Hi everyone,

I gave birth to my wee girl last Saturday. For the last month or so in my pregnancy I developed a really itchy bump. I was concerned it was something serious so checked with my midwife and consultant, they did a blood test but no concerns. Nothing else was said, I was told it was probably just my belly stretching from the pregnancy.


Fast forward to a few days after I gave birth, the itch returned. This time it was worse. I didn’t realise but it was my stretch marks that were itching. They had turned red and were starting to spread round my tummy. There were lots of red inflamed spots all over my tummy and the stretch mark areas had all joined together and the itching was absolutely AWFUL. This rash is now ALL over my body - it has now spread to my thighs, bum, legs and feet, arms, hands and chest. I can’t begin to explain how miserable I am and how unbearable this is. Midwife and doctor confirmed it was the PUPPPs rash (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy).

The doctor has only been able to prescribe me a steroid cream (Mometasone) but it doesn’t seem to be helping. I’ve also been using an antihistamine tablet but again nothing. I have begun trying to look for methods online to see what experiences other people have had - calamine lotion, tea tree oil, coconut oil, dandelion root capsules, water and lemon juice (have recently just started these). But nothing seems to be making a difference.

There’s not an awful lot of information online about this and it is really frustrating. I can’t bear the thought of putting up with this for much longer. The itching is absolutely constant all over and I am really down about it. I’ve read that it is quite rare that this gets worse AFTER birth.


The next step I’ve got is another appointment with my doctor tomorrow. My midwife has advised that I get an oral steroid so I’m desperately hoping he prescribes it for me.


I’m wondering if anyone on here is or has been in a similar situation to me and has had the PUPPPs rash before? I have no idea how long it will take to go away. I’m really going out of my mind looking for a cure for this and feel like it would help to talk to someone who can relate. I feel like this will never go away.

Sorry for the long post.

OP posts:
Report
IDK2020 · 03/06/2022 22:48

Congratulations on your little girl 💐

I had something very similar although it started a few weeks after I gave birth, nothing during my pregnancy. Started in my stretch marks and spread everywhere. It was so hard, especially at night.

I was prescribed mometasone and fexofenadine as well. I actually saw a private dermatologist as I was going out of my mind, literally crying in the bath as it was the only place I could get relief. He diagnosed that it was a reaction to the ibuprofen I was taking as post c section pain relief. Had seen/spoken to four different GPs prior to that who were all stumped.

oat baths helped soothe the rash (put some oats in an old pair of tights and out over the tap while you run the bath so the water runs through the oats.)

also a brand of soap from amazon called grandpas pine tar soap. Smells v strong when you use it but doesn’t make your skin smell and it’s really calming.

Take cool showers/baths rather than hot as it’s less irritating.

good luck, I felt very alone at the time as there’s not much information out there. I hope it clears up soon for you.

Report
user2908143823142536475859708 · 03/06/2022 22:58

I had this, it started late on into my second trimester on the inside of my legs from the knee down.

Mine took a month to calm down after the birth- they told me it's hormonal so can take a while to settle. It didn't get worse, just more irritating because I didn't have the pregnancy aches and pains to take my mind off it.

I used eurax cream on it. It's my go to for everything. Water(warm) only when showering where possible. A hot shower would make it even itchier for me.

Be careful shaving your legs if it's bumpy, even if it looks calm.

Your gp may want to do some bloods to check your hormone levels and your liver.

Report
blahblahblah2000 · 03/06/2022 23:49

I had this many years ago and found a calamine lotion that had local anesthetic in it - lignocaine I think. Hope it settles soon it’s terrible.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.