severe itching in early pregnancy

[emmylou157]

Hi, I am only about 6 weeks gone but over the last couple of days my hands and feet have been getting more and more itchy. I occasionally get a weird type of eczema on them but only on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet. It is now my whole hands and feet also my elbows and head are quite bad. It is stopping me sleeping and I am already exhausted. Any ideas what I can do to calm it down?

Sorry no idea but jumping on your thread for help too! I have in the past had the odd bit of itchy skin etc but I'm breaking out on my feet and wrists, they look like hives. I'm nearly 5 weeks its driving me nuts. I calmed mine down with sudocreme but it didn't get rid of it

Speak to your gp about it. They may be anle to prescribe something to help. Or do a blood test to check everything is alright. Everyone's body adjusts differently to pregnancy.

There is a condition to do with your liver which shows as itching hands & feet but wouldnt normally show up until much later in pregnancy. I doubt it will be that but still worth getting checked.

I was well itchy in early preg, esp boobys. Think it's just where your skin stretches and the increase in hormones. Keep moisturised, palmers cocoa butter worked for me to calm it down.

I saw my mw yesterday and she asked if i had any itching in my hands or feet as it can the sign of a condition where there is a problem with your bile?? So i would go to the GP and get a blood test done to make sure all ok.

There's some good info on the NHS website

I have sensitive skin and it got way worse during my pregnancy - I found bathing daily in E45 Bath and using Head and Shoulders anti-itch shampoo helped, but didn't fix it. Just try to keep really well moisturised.

And do mention it to your midwife/GP in case it is obstetric cholestasis, although it would be unusual to develop it so early on.