itchy skin..............

[MissCKitty]

Am 14 weeks and I have noticed over the last few days that mt skin is really itchy, i mean really itchy. It feels like things are crawling on me. Not just my boobs and tummy as expected but ALL over. Has anyone else experienced this?

PLease see your gp as a lot of over body itchiness can indicate a problem with your liver function: I can't remember the name of the pregnancy induced complaint, but your gp should know. This complaint can affect your baby, especially during the very late stages of pregnancy, although if your doctor is aware of the problem, your pregnancy can easily be managed successfully.

Please don't panic!! Sorry, I don't want to unduly worry you - just make an appointment for next week, that should be fine.

Of course, this liver malfunction might not be the problem, and your itching might be due to something benign, but don't take the risk - go to your gp. x

try keeping moisturiser in the fridge for a bit of instant relief

I had the same thing for ca 3 months from around 13 weeks. Bizarrely, it was not the tummy that itched as one would expect but my back (esp around the spine), shoulders and legs.

I did liver bloods to exclude obstetric choleostasis, and they came back fine, so it must have been some funny reaction to the hormonal upheaval (ok, it was not that funny at the time, when my back looked as if three angry cats had landed on it... Not only was it uncomfortable, it was socially awkward when I had an urge to scratch every ten minutes in the middle of a meeting.)

No amount of lotions and potions helped, and I tried loads from Clarins oils to aquaceous cream; my skin felt lovely and smooth - and itched like crazy. I was prescribed an anti-histamine which made it marginally better for half a day but one pill knocked me down and I felt groggy and unwell for 48 hours so I gave up on it. In the end the only thing that gave some temporary relief was dry brushing. I would get up in the middle of the night to use one of these long-handled bristly brushes - ah bliss!

I suggest you have you liver function tested to ensure you do not have any issues there, but otherwise, alas, cannot recommend any miracle cure. But this will pass!

Wishing you an easy rest of the pregnancy and a healthy baby.

x

There's no need to panic, as there are many potential causes if itching. But, as pointed out above, this can be a serious symptom as it could indicate obstetric choleostatis - a very serious liver condition.

You need to get this possibility investgated immediately. Can you get to an EPU? Or arrange an emergency appointment with your midwife/doctor?

If the itching extends to palms of hands and soles of feet, then you definitely need to see your midwife asap. It is best to get it checked out anyway to put your mind at rest. Obstetric Choleostasis can be managed quite easily with medication, if that is what is causing the itching.
Good luck!

Yes, please do see your GP or midwife. I had choleostasis and it was scary at the time but very easily managed. They also gave me special cream and bath oils to help ease the itching and let me tell you -- they were fantastic!