HELP! 28 weeks, so Itchy

[readyornot2011]

Morning,
My pregnancy has been fairly easy so far and I know this isn't so bad in the grand scheme of things but I really hoping someone can help as I am going slowly crazy!

For the last 4 weeks, my hands & feet have been super itchy especially at night time which is keeping me awake & miserable. I know this is an indicator for liver problems (collistitus?) but I have been tested and am thankfully clear.

I have tried double base cream but it doesn't help. My doc is lovely but she won't prescribe anything at all while I'm preg. My skin is clear, no dryness,lumps, bumps or rash.

The only thing that helps (a little) is running my feet under a cold tap and (oddly) my hands under a scolding hot tap. Although I think my tolerance is increasing because I can't seem to get the tap hot enough anymore. I know it sounds crazy.

All ideas appreciated, will try anything!!!

See your MW pdq or call the hospital Day Assessment Unit. Itching in pregnancy should never be ignored and my experience is that GPs haven't got a bloody clue. If you are still itching, you have to get your LFTs and Bile Acid levels rechecked every 7-10 days. With OC, the itching can start before the tests go positive, so one clear test doesn't mean a thing.

I'm going through this now and my levels have just gone borderline so I'm going into the hospital tomorrow. If I'd left it to the GPs, I wouldn't have got my BA levels checked, let alone rechecked. And OC isn't anything to kid around with.

The only thing I've found that helps much at all is cold - cool bedroom with no duvet at night, ice packs wraped in flannels for hands & feet, cool wet flannels elsewhere, always wash hands in cold water and have warm (never hot) showers finishing with rinsing in as cold water as you can stand.

Moisturiser can help a teeny bit, especially the cooling ones. Aqueous cream with menthol is recommended, but I couldn't get it so got Vaseline Intensive Care with aloe and cucumber.

Wearing cotton socks all the time has also helped me a bit.

My GP okayed me to take Piriton at night - it doesn't do a thing for the itching but it helps me to sleep despite it. Ask your MW if your GP is being obstructive.

Hi there

I had this when I was pregnant with DS and I found that a reflexology session really helped - find somoene who specialises in maternity reflexology if you can...

Hope that helps

Anything that relaxes you is good IME, as it makes it easier to deal with itching without scratching or going insane.