Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Itchy pregnant skin...all over...any ideas of how to stop it?

26 replies

ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 12:17

During last pg I scratched my legs raw (had scabs on and everything - euw!) so really want to find a solution this time round cos I'm only 16 weeks gone. Main problems are legs, arms, underarms, back and boobs. The only upside seems to be that because it's so anti-social, I usually get a double seat on the bus...

OP posts:
cece · 24/02/2007 12:22

aqueous cream all over ?

Miaou · 24/02/2007 12:22

MM, have you been checked for obstetric choleostasis? (I think that's right) - liver problem associated with pregnancy, main symptom is unbearable itchiness.

Coolmama · 24/02/2007 12:23

E45 make a bath emolliant that is great for itching and dryness

Miaou · 24/02/2007 12:24

some tips on dealing with itching here

Original poster
ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 12:30

Have tried creams cece but they don't seem to have much of an effect unless I apply them every hour which is difficult to achieve very regularly, esp on those days I'm working!

As for the liver thing miaou, would this be picked up from the usual blood tests? My pg's have all been pretty healthy. I also had loads of tests done after DD2 was stillborn last year as part of the post mortem with nothing showing up as far as I'm aware. Am seeing mw next week for my triple test bloods so will ask her more about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 12:33

Thanks for the link miaou. Having seen the reference to an increased risk of stillbirth I will definitely raise it with mw next week because there's no way I can face going through it again.

OP posts:
mabel1973 · 24/02/2007 12:34

I had itchy hands and feet when i was pregnant with DS2, it was unbearable. I tried over the counter creams, but in the end went to see the doctor and he prescribed hydrocortizone for it. He said it was excema that would probably go as soon as I gave birth, but nothing else would work. He said the cream would be fine to use short term and within 3 days it had cleared it up.

Miaou · 24/02/2007 12:37

oh MM, I didn't know about your dd, and there's me linking to all the stuff about OC ... sorry, that was a little insensitive of me

Tbh I'm not sure that it does show up in normal blood tests. Everything I've read about it suggests that you should make a special trip to the GP if you have these symptoms, so perhaps not? Mears - can you help?

Original poster
ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 12:42

Did develop ezcema on my right arm after DD1 was born. It ran from my hand to my elbow and was due to the fact that this was the arm that I used to hold her in the bath. Got so bad that I had to leave bathtimes to dh which was really frustrating. Not sure this is the same as I'm not getting those little watery blisters that I did then. Have great respect to those who suffer from this sort of thing all the time, am grateful that mine appears to be primarily hormone related but am still keen to minimise it's effects!

OP posts:
Original poster
ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 12:46

Miaou - please don't apologise, I really didn't think you were being insensitive and am just grateful to know. DD2's pm came to no conclusion so if it's something I ought to have checked out then I'd rather get it done, if only for it to be eliminated. Though we miss her, DD2 is still very much part of the family and sometimes like to think the itching is just her way of tickling me

OP posts:
Miaou · 24/02/2007 12:49

MM what a lovely way of remembering her ...

Hope you get sorted out - definitely mention it to your midwife, and discuss the possibility of OC with her, even if she doesn't bring it up. All the best

beanie2bump · 24/02/2007 12:51

hi there manchetermum,,, not really gpt much advise re the itching,, but just wanted to say sorry for ur loss, i too lost a baby boy sb, 37 week, and am currently 8 weeks pregnant,,

my son has ecezma and has soya oil for bath time and aqeauous cream, doctor told me to moisturise as much as poo to lock moisture in,,,,
xx

NAB3 · 24/02/2007 12:51

If you have had OC before I would have thought there is an increased risk of it reoccuring. Definitely get checked out asap.

beanie2bump · 24/02/2007 12:52

sorry poss not poo lol

edam · 24/02/2007 12:54

MM would second what Miaou said about getting liver tests for OC, esp. given your very sad loss. If it is OC, then you will need to have your baby delivered no later than 38 weeks so it's very important to get your docs to check it out. Hope I haven't worried you unnecessarily but couldn't see your thread without echoing Miaou's post.

Psychobabble · 24/02/2007 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 13:04

Lost DD2 at 34 weeks so will definitely raise. Must admit that I've never heard of OC before but am not willing to leave anything to chance.

Sorry to hear of your loss too b2b . Hope you're doing OK at the moment? Hellishly nervewracking this time round, isn't it? Will be all the more special when our respective babies are born .

OP posts:
prufrock · 24/02/2007 13:28

Manchester mum - please do get checked for OC - you will need liver function tests and bile acid tests.

Many midwives will still tell you that OC can't start this early - but as I know only too well it can. However your blood results may well not show any change at this early stage, even though you are already itching, so it is important to get them done every 4 weeks or so.

If it is OC, there is no danger to your baby until closer to the end, so please don't get too stressed yet. It is a treatable/managable condition and the drugs they can give can have a huge effect on your itching. Miaou's link is very good so please follow the advice there, and good luck.

Original poster
ManchesterMum · 24/02/2007 17:36

My appointment with mw is not till Thursday so think I'll call her earlier in the week to raise the fact that I want to be tested. Then if there are any problems, I can contact the consultant about it and he should be able to give the nod. Was told that they would do everything they could to provide reassurance after last year so imagine that they'll be true to their word.

Many thanks for all the advice. Would never have known to take it further were it not for my fellow MNers, you're ace!!

OP posts:
liahgen · 28/02/2007 19:36

Hi ladies, Sorry to but in but just wanted to reiterate what the other lady was saying about testing for OC. This is my 5th PG, 3rd with OC, due in May, and it is a specific test so you will have to ask for it specially. However, generally the itching is mostly on the hands and feet although it does spread sometimes. Creams won't help, as it comes from your blood and is not topical. They may give you a bit of relief temporarily, but true OC cannot be soothed by aqueus creams etc.

Regarding your tragic loss, unfortunately, OC would probably not have shown up on your little one anyway as it's your condition, and normally clears up straight away after birth as it is a pregnancy condition. My little niece was born sleeping in July last year and her mum decided not to PM as they were told that in the majority of cases, no exact cause can be found.it's the saddest thing in the world and my thoughts are with you.

Chase up your MW and put your mind at rest. Let us know how you get on.

Ali5 · 28/02/2007 20:11

My pregnancy was an OC one. Go get checked asap, it's simple to diagnose and there are treatments, IF it is OC you'll be offered an induction at 38 weeks. I worried like crazy when I got the diagnosis but I had fabulous care and monitoring.Itching is really common though and let's hope some good cream will sort it out.

Ali5 · 01/03/2007 07:45

Had to come back because my last post was added in a hurry as I was on the way out. I just wanted to say that you're amazing to find the courage to be pregnant again after DD2.
Also, do be insistent with your GP about the blood tests - you need your bile acids and liver function tested. (I spoke to a midwife about the itching after 2 unbearable evenings, who told me to go to the GP for the tests as it would be quicker than her organising it) I was told at the hospital that many GPs aren't aware of OC and will prescribe creams. I was lucky to have a GP that recognised the symptons and took the appropriate action.
Let us know how you get on.

K1K2 · 02/03/2007 10:05

Dear MM

I had itching with an associated rash all over my legs and torso- my doctor prescribed oilatum bath/wash oil. Have you tried that? I know you have tried aqueous cream, but oilatum might be worth a go...

cane · 05/03/2007 22:30

aqueous cream with menthol - i was so bad with dd2 i was having cold showers every 2 hours (day and night) and eventually they agreed to induce me. it was living hell.

TheWillowTree · 05/03/2007 22:57

Have you tried aloe vera gel - available from Holland Barrett and very cooling and soothing