Allergy to pregnancy hormones - anyone had this?

[stringbean]

I posted at the weekend about a strange rash I woke up with (I'm nearly 9 weeks pg), which was diagnosed as urticaria/hives. I had assumed this would just go away on its own, but its getting worse and travelling round my body - particularly bad on my face this afternoon, and really itchy. I've never had anything like this before, although there are allergies in my family.

I went back to the doctor today (saw someone different) and she thought it was a reaction to pregnancy hormones. I know there is something called PUPPP which is basically urticaria which appears in the third trimester for similar reasons, but has anyone ever heard of it this early?

This is my second pregnancy, and I didn't have anything like this last time. From trawling the internet I've discovered that levels of hCG peak at about 9 weeks, tailing off after 12 weeks or so (the doctor thought it would improve after 12 weeks), but I've just read that increased levels of hCG are associated with multiple pregnancies and Down syndrome. The prospect of either of these is stressing me out big time. Anyone got any advice? Please?

Strinbean - I would be surprised if the rash is actually due to your pregnancy so early on. It is more likely that you have an allergis reaction to something you have eaten or you have a viral infection. Could you ask you GP to check your blood - the only time I have come across this is when a woman I know had parvovirus infection at 6 weeks. her baby was absolutely fine by the way.

I have a form of urticaria - mines if Cold Urticaria which means i come up int he lumps and rash whenever i am slightly chilly.

I do know that there are lots of different things that trigger urticaria - try asking your doctor for a course of antihistimine (sp) tablets - i have some on standby for whenever my rash flares up but to be honest it has been great throughout my pregnany and has only come up a few times.

Basically, not much help but think it could be a possibility - if mine seems to be getting better in pregnancy then it could make some peoples worse.
Sorry not much help

Thanks for your replies. Thinking back over the past few days, I'm inclined to think that this is due to something I've eaten. The rash has flared up this evening (also did the same yesterday evening) - I look like I've rolled in nettles - and I'm now wondering if I've developed a sensitivity to tomatoes. The thing is, I've never had any problems with them before, but I am aware that they're one of the main foods you can develop a sensitivity to. Have you heard of anything like this starting in pregnancy before?

I used to suffer from urticaria (hives) and it occurred if I was hot or a bit stressed. It is the strangest thing with the 'nettle rash' all over your body. I used to find that putting a wet flannel over the rash would calm it down and it would disappear.

I never needed anything from the doctors but I suppose it depends how bad it is.

I have heard that things like tomatoes and strawberries can make it flare up. HTH

My son gets urticaria rashes when he has a virus.