Anyone else driven insane by an itchy bump?

[FranTan]

Am I the only one who is suffering from a really itchy bump/sides and sometimes boobs? I've tried bio oil and am picking up a prescription for diprobase tomorrow but this is driving me insane! I can't even sleep and I feel like a flea-infested scumbag at work, scratching away.

I'm 29 weeks, have too much fluid and am massive, not sure if this has anything to do with it or if it's a normal part of pregnancy. Anyone else suffering?

Also forgot to ask..if anyone else is suffering, have you found any relief?

yes unfortunately it is normal but it's also very fucking annoying :( I've had this on and off throughout whole thing.

I think it is your skin stretching, partly.

I have had it on and off and am 23 weeks now. I had it with the other two as well. I even had itchy hands for a while but I didn't have Cholestasis - which would make your hands very itchy but you would have other signs as well probably (swelling of feet etc, I think) (don't quote me on that)

I find that mine has been very bad on occasion, but that seemed to be at night, when I was too hot (so during the 'summer') and also when i was wearing stretchy tops, like a vest top with lycra in it. Once I took that off and put on a loose cotton t shirt, I was able to sleep.

Not sure if piriton might help? Or if it's allowed in pregnancy.

I feel for you. Try wearing very loose things if poss and see if that helps. I think my skin was reacting a bit to the rubber/latexy stuff in my clothes?

i remember it well with 3rd dc 14 years ago. couldn't bear anything on waist.

I'm going to take my lycra vest off now and see if that helps. Argh!!!

Sorry others have suffered but glad I'm not the only one and it's normal - don't remember it being this bad with ds1.

Yes try it - and give it a few minutes for your body to realise it isn't wearing it any more

Honestly - I had this several times a few weeks ago, daytime and nighttime but only when wearing lycra. I think maybe it is when you sweat, or something - not sure. I also get it occasionally when NOT pregnant, but always when it's really hot and always when I have something stretchy on.

NatashaBee - I hadn't heard of obstetric cholestasis. Just read a bit and although my itching is extreme, by hands and soles of my feet don't itch. Nevertheless I shall mention to my midwife, thanks.

Another thing to worry about

I've had the same when expecting DD & it's back with a vengeance now I'm expecting DC2. Agree with the tight fitting/Lycra type clothes, it's much worse when there's material clinging to my bump, especially the really stretched area around my belly button.

I found help in the form of a stiff bristled long handled body brush, I feel a bit like a prize sow or something but if I get DH to literally scrub me head to toe for as long as possible before bed, then slap on a load of good moisturiser the relief is wonderful, but unfortunately doesn't last forever and if I don't fall asleep quickly I'll be itchy again within the hour :(

It is so annoying isn't it, I found a shower helped get rid of the itch then loose t-shirt, loose bottoms helped. I tried bio-oil, e45 itch relief, baby oil, baby lotion. Nothing really worked. Also try and keep busy and take your mind of it. If I felt the itch starting I would just get up and tidy, no matter where I was. If I was in anyone else's house I just randomly started tidying there kitchen/doing dishes.

I had the same during my third pregnancy. Ended up taking a piriton every night to stop the night itching. And trying all sorts of potions. Defo get checked for OC. Can present in loads of different ways. V good friend very tragically affacted by it.

I had this during my first pregnancy and my doctor suggested trying Weleda Stretchmark Massage Oil which was infinitely better than the fragranced body creams I'd been using previously. However, I found it greasy and a bit yuck (so I only used it at night!)

This time around although the itching hasn't started, but I'm using Avene Body oil for very dry & sensitive skins and so far so good (it's easily absorbed so no greasy tummy!!).

Oils seem to irritate my skin less than creams. And I also use a ultra-mild body wash.

It's so awful, I remember well. I hope you get some relief soon!

Thanks HappySurfWidow. Maybe I need to change what I'm using - Johnson's stretch mark oil at the mo.