Itchy everywhere!

[MrsMcW]

I'm just shy of 20 weeks, and in the last few days I've felt itchy all over. Hands, arms, legs, scalp, face (weirdly), bikini area, absolutely everywhere. Is this normal? I haven't changed washing powder or shower gel, and I use non-bio / organic products already. I've also had a bad flare up of eczema on my eyelids which I haven't had since I was a teenager...

Does this just come under the 'hormones' category? Has anyone else had the same? And can someone recommend anything to soothe it? Normally I'd reach for the hydrocortisone, but the packet says it's not safe during pregnancy... I'm reluctant to see my GP as getting an appointment is impossible except in emergency.

Nope, straight to the doc for you. Obstetric cholatisis most likely I'm afraid but you do need to see your doc.

Ive heard this can be a symptom of a liver problem. Id call your midwife to check.

Sorry don't mean to alarm you. It's a relatively common pregnancy complication but don't delay seeing your doc.

It's an emergency, call your midwife immediately or go to your pregnancy unit at the hospital. You'll need to be seen today.

I thought obstetric cholestasis isn't a problem until third trimester? Surely it's too early for that? Oh crumbs...

I had that, dr gave me an industrial vat sized container of cream which helped, then it went about 22-23 weeks.
It can be a cause of liver disease. So if you can’t get to your midwife see your dr

No, can be serious liver condition. Contact midwife or GP straight away for blood test.

Echoing others comments.

I wasn't diagnosed with OC till 32 weeks but I'd started itching at 26 weeks, I put it down to sunburn as I'd just been on holiday!

The midwife said it can occur at any time so not just a third trimester thing.

Unlikely at this stage but important to get checked. I has the same thing around about 26 weeks, lasted about a week and disappeared. But I did go in and get checked for OC!

Call your midwife asap, she will probably refer you to the antenatal assessment clinic at the hospital for a blood test.

I had a patch of this in one of my pregnancies and it wasn’t OC, but you need the test to rule it out.

I had a couple of weeks of slathering myself in anti itch cream and it went away.

I’m 31 weeks had itching since about 6 weeks (a lot better now) went to the Drs who advised it was just hormones and prescribed anti allergy tablets which helped take the itch off. Hopefully yours is nothing too