Excema in pregnancy- getting much worse?!

[madmumNika]

Hi there,

I have mild excema, usually just a few patches on my lower legs and a little on my ears, & generally dry skin.... It doesn't usually bother me much BUT in the past week I have developed huge red patches on the inside of my elbows & on my lower arms which are very sore. With DS my excema didn't flare up & I don't want to have to use hydrocortisone creams- any tips anyone? I'm 22 weeks pg now & hoping it just gets better rather than continuing to get worse (can barely bend my arms)!

Thanks for listening.... xxxx

I had a big flare up on my limbs during pregnancy. The only thing that worked was a combination of ashort course of steroids, oil baths and creams prescribed by a (NHS)consultant dermatologist. Was a bit worried about the steroids but the dose was low and they were perfectly safe. In fact I was told they actually would be more beneficial than harmful to the baby in helping to strengthen (I think it was) the lungs.

Best you get it checked out or you'll go mad with the itching.

Can't offer much help I'm afraid but can definitely sympathise. My eczema has been a nightmare this pregancy. Big red welts down the inside of my arms. I have been told that it is ok to use steroids as long as they are low dose. Also I bathe in dermol cream a few nights a week which does seem to help a little. This can be prescribed for you.

Hello,
I am the opposite, my excema (never had it before) came after my first DS, now that I'm pregant, it's gone away. I am not sure if it's of much help, but I found accupuncture helped (but only short term) the best thing was a childs tincture that the Dr gave me I was BFing and couldn't take strong meds. It came in a little orange and red bottle, and cleared the skin in days. Sorry, forgot the name, am at work and I can't remember it. But most importantly, when I stopped taking dairy products, the excema cleared within days. When I drink milk again, it comes back within hours... That was the biggest thing I did to help myself. I miss my icecream though..

I have mild ezcema, which did get worse in hte second half of pregnancy, I think because my skin was a lot drier, so I had to use emolients a lot more to try & keep it under control. It went back to normal (well what is normal for me within a couple of weeks of the birth.

Hi,
I've had terrible eczema since birth so I really sympathise with you.

Here are my top tips:

• Steroid creams are really effective if you use them in short shrp burst (but I understand why you might not want to use them).
• There are some non steroid alternatives called pimecrolimus and tacrolimus. I don't find them as effective as steroids but they are worth a try. Your doctor should be able to perscribe these for you.
• If you are really itchy there is a fantastic range of products called Balneum plus. You can get a cream and bath oil (both contain a mild local anasthetic so the itching is completely numbed).
• Avoid synthetic clothing and bedding (stick with cotton where possible).

Hope some of the above help!