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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Eczema - managing it when pregnant

39 replies

InDreamland · 18/06/2018 22:58

I have had eczema since I was a small child and had bouts where it's been so bad I've been on oral steroids and antibiotics. Whilst it's not that bad now it has started to flare up again on my hands but GP said I'm not allowed to use my betnovate steroid cream anymore because of risk to baby. I'm also not allowed to take antihistamine and ibuprofen which are other things I normally use to help it settle down.

Had anyone else got eczema and how did you manage it during pregnancy?

It's ready uncomfortable and sore.

OP posts:
Indigo89 · 19/06/2018 07:53

Mine flared up in the second trimester. I was a bit sceptical when the pharmacist recommended a tube of non branded calamine lotion as safe during pregnancy. I kept it in the fridge for extra itch-relief and the eczema cleared in a fortnight.

Original poster
InDreamland · 19/06/2018 08:03

Never thought of that, thank you. I will have to pop out and get some and give it a go!

OP posts:
lulu12345 · 19/06/2018 08:27

No brilliant ideas but I've just been in same boat re betnovate. You also can't use it while breastfeeding so I've now been coping without for well over a year. You can use OTC hydrocortisone so I've just been using that (clearly way less potent) and obviously doing my best to keep my skin well moisturised. The winter was much worse. I had a humidifier running overnight and I've no idea whether it helped really but possibly worth a try.

Original poster
InDreamland · 19/06/2018 08:59

Thanks @lulu. Did you have to get that ok'd by your GP? I'm too scared to use anything now and local pharmacists won't recommend anything to pregnant ladies. They send straight back to GP.

OP posts:
Solasum · 19/06/2018 09:01

Ask for ProTopic. It acts like a strong steroid, but isn’t. It is expensive so GP will probably try not to prescribe it for you, but it is great!

ErrantBakedBean · 19/06/2018 15:10

Do double check on the Protopic though - it's usually my saviour for my face but doc says to leave off it while pregnant as it's an immunosuppressant. I'm like you OP - have suffered with severe eczema that needed oral treatments. Everyone is different but I'm finding that all I can do is avoid orange juice and tomatoes and only use Simple shampoo. It keeps it (almost) bearable. Also only wearing light cotton.. all the stuff I'm sure you know already. I have to drink loads of water too to shore up my skin's natural defences.

Katjolo · 19/06/2018 20:22

I've suffered hugely also. Have been using cetraben, a light cream (must check the name) and for a short while used antihistamines (prescribed by my doctor) as the eczema was out of control. My upper body has been worse affected. Aveeno has been useful for showering. I also find palmers cocoa butter suppresses the itchiness. Hope some of that may help you.

lulu12345 · 19/06/2018 20:32

@InDreamland Yes the GP prescribed the hydrocortisone for me. She seemed to think the potency was so low it was fine. For what it's worth I actually used the Betnovate all the way through my first pregnancy and breastfeeding because I didn't realise you weren't meant to. I then used it for about he first 3/4 months of the 2nd pregnancy before the GP told me it was an issue. I switched to hydrocortisone then but there were a couple of occasions where I had to have a quick blast of the betnovate as skin was so bad.

One other thing that helped me is switching to SLS/paraben free shower gel and hand washes. Can't remember the brands right now but I got nice ones from Boots. My hands were a right mess after having the baby as I was washing them probably 20+ times a day with all the nappy changing.

lulu12345 · 19/06/2018 20:34

@Katjolo Palmers cocoa butter works brilliantly for me too. I'm always a bit surprised as it's so heavily perfumed etc but works much better than the prescription stuff.

spugzbunny · 19/06/2018 20:55

Try the child's farm moisturiser. It's for babies but people swear by it for eczema and psoriasis

Littlebelina · 19/06/2018 22:05

My doctor prescribed me eumovate for this pregnancy and my first. Got away not using it so far (dermol, hydromol and e45 seem to doing the trick although I know eumovate doesn't work for all)

Littlebelina · 19/06/2018 22:06

Sorry e45 doesn't work for all

Original poster
InDreamland · 19/06/2018 23:40

Wow, thank you everyone for all your comments and advice. I will definitely be looking into them all.

The moisturisers should be easy to try out. My hands are so itchy and getting sore.

OP posts:
Penguin34 · 20/06/2018 00:08

Ask again. I have a stronger steroid cream - mometasone furoate that I'm fine to use x

Original poster
InDreamland · 20/06/2018 08:08

Sounds to me like there is no consistency in advice from medics and what they're prepared to prescribe.

OP posts:
njr1895 · 20/06/2018 17:31

I second the child's farm moisturiser! I get ezcema on my feet and usually have to use steroid cream as well as taking my antihistamines. My feet have never been better since being pregnant, have been using the child's farm and keeping them well moisturised, and seems to be working fine for now.

Original poster
InDreamland · 20/06/2018 18:37

I'm definitely going to look for some of that then and order it.

OP posts:
HippyChickMama · 20/06/2018 18:42

I suffer from allergic dermatitis and it was during a particularly bad flare up when pregnant that I discovered Dream Cream from Lush. Amazing stuff, I use it daily now and have very few problems. Also oat baths help with the itching.

Original poster
InDreamland · 21/06/2018 10:18

Oat baths sounds like a good idea. Think I remember them being mentioned to me before actually before I was pg.

OP posts:
Original poster
InDreamland · 02/07/2018 08:21

I bought the childs farm as recommended and it seemed to help for a couple of days but this weather I think is just making my eczema flare up terribly all over my hands and between my fingers. I'm in agony, so sore and itchy. Nothing helps now and I'm so tempted to just get my betnovate out but know I shouldn't.

Sorry for the rant but I could cry here.

OP posts:
NotAsGreenAsCabbageLooking · 02/07/2018 08:24

I’ve heard that Dream Cream from Lush is amazing too... certainly works on my DS 👌

lulu12345 · 02/07/2018 08:34

Hi @InDreamland I know exactly how you feel, it's utterly miserable. I got into a state like that a few times and to be honest I just went for a quick blast of betnovate because that solved the problem in a few days. I knew if i didn't do that I'd be facing weeks of misery. For what it's worth the doc told me using it on thicker skin areas, such as hands, is much less of an issue as less will transfer through to the bloodstream. Would it help you to get some sun exposure on it? I know that can sometimes work for some people.

Original poster
InDreamland · 02/07/2018 16:36

I'll have to look at lush when I'm near one. Is it fragrance free?

OP posts:
Original poster
InDreamland · 02/07/2018 16:37

@lulu it really is just horrid. Use hands for everything yet so sore. I just want new skin! My GP said I'm not allowed to use it so I'm scared to. Couldn't forgive myslef if I damage little bean.

OP posts:
lulu12345 · 03/07/2018 13:49

I know, it's just awful. There are a bunch of no-steroid creams specifically for eczema nowadays that are meant to reduce the itch as well as moisturise. I've had a few from Boots.. they didn't really work for me but might be worth a try. Unfortunately I can't remember the name but maybe try and ask in pharmacist or google. Good luck, it's absolutely rubbish I know.