The itching is killing me

[catgirl1976]

I am 39+6 and I am itching all over.

My legs, my arms, my bump, my bum........its HORRIBLE. I haven't slept for about a week with it. Nothing soothes it not calamine lotion nor cocoa butter nor having a bath

Does anyone know what it is and more importantly does anything stop it?

Thanks

Bio oil, I swear by it and am convinced it helped avoid stretch marks last time around, I do big pregnancies too

Am on phone so can't link but google PUPPP. Also worth getting a blood test done to rule out obstetric cholestasis. I found that the only things to stop the itch were menthol creams. Tiger balm for the really gnarly nighttime moments.

have you neen checked out forobstetric cholestasis?

Yes get checked for cholestasis.
I had an itchy bump and exfoliating plus tons of moisturiser did the trick. But not itchy all over.

Oh I really feel for you I had PUPPP as mentioned above and it's HIDEOUS.

Sounds like you might have the same thing, my dr prescribed me some creams, (can't for the life of me remember what they were called) and I found aloe Vera gel helped, even if only for a few minutes.

Get on to your doctors in the morning, I really hope you find something that works for you!

thank you - am seeing the midwife tomorrow so will ask about cholestasis

Vital that you mention it tomorrow.

In the meantime, try oatmeal in the bath (if you have any handy), or calamine, or massage with a plain oil.

Agree with everyone else - get checked to rule out OC (very important) but it sounds like it may be PUPP. I had it with my first and it was hideous. I had a Clarins leg lotion which helped ease it a little.

try wet flannels was the only think that worked for me, also try not to get too hot. you could get some eurax (sp) my doc prescirbed for me but you can get it over the counter, worked for about 20 mins at a time.

Really sorry you have this as I had it and it was hell.

it's a long time since I contributed to a pregnancy thread but your plight brought back terrible memories for me.
Piriton worked a treat. Nothing else touched it.

Thanks everyone. Am a bit worried now having googled OC. Midwife is first thing in the morning so will seriously talk to her as am concerned.

Sounds like PUPP but as the others said get checked for OC. I had PUPP. It was hideous, like all over sunburn which just kept on going. Birth sorted it for me, within an hour of DS's arrival it was going.

Piriton (not the non-drowsy formula) helped in the meantime. Nothing else touched it and the obstetrician was much better than the consultant dermatologists who she sent me to see.

You have my sympathy.

It did start in my stretch marks which sounds like the descpription of PUPP so thats good. No piriton in the house but will get some tomorrow if MW advises.

I would actually like someone to knock me out its that bad!

I'm 16 weeks and feel exactly the same I'm itching in my sleep and end up cutting my skin - think I need baby mits! Iv come to visit my mum tonight's and she couldn't believe how much I was scratching so she put me in a bath with olive oil - I smell a bit wired but but it's a really good relief so think I'll be doing that more often - not sure the hubby will be pleased I smell like a giant olive but If I sleep peacefully tonight I really don't care lol

In the meantime of getting it all checked out I swear by E45 Itch Relief cream, I tried everything for the itch, so many prescribed creams, oatmeal baths etc and only this cream took it away. I was diagnosed with Polyorphic Eruption of Pregnancy at 14 weeks! I was prescribed pirotin and a host of creams, I couldn't sleep etc it was agonising but E45 really helped, make sure you keep it next to your bed. Hopefully your LO will make an appearance soon and this will be gone, good luck

Brings back memories - poor you. Piriton was the only thing that worked for me too.

OC isn't normally generalised itching - almost always localised in palms of hands and soles of feet. Obv get checked out but it doesn't sound like it, so I really wouldn't worry too much about that.

justhayley that sounds just like I was, it was horrible, especially so early on, have you been referred to a dermatologist? I took a brush to my skin and ripped it, the itch was so intenses, according to the dermatologist it was hormonal, and she said because of the itch I was most likely having a boy! (Which I am) Get the E45 Itch Relief, you'll get a rest and piriton are safe but ask your GP first

I had the same itchiness, and my doctor said it was because I was having a boy; many women are 'allergic' to the boy hormones they are exposed to during pregnancy. I never did find a cream or oil that worked, but as above, the itching stopped within an hour or two of DS's birth.

I am glad I am not the only one who itches like mad. Also have itchin down there. Wow this theory of having a boy and itching sounds pretty conclusive roll on Dec 9th and then we will know.

Seen the midwife who has made me an appointment at the hospital this afternoon to test for OC. Thank you all for the advice - feel relieved they are checking

yummy - please let your midwife know about your itching - they need to rule out OC to put everyones mind at rest.

Good luck to everyone who is expecting (and itching)

I had the itching with dd but not with ds so the boy theory didn't work for me

I am having a boy so it is really stacking up :)

catgirl1976 glad you are a step in the right direction .

I have an appointment with her on the 5th although I might try and see her by the end of the week as this itching is insane now. xx