itching

[Hopex3]

hi all,

just need some reassurance really. my hand had started itching this afternoon - I have suffered with this in the past as I do have very sensitive skin anyway. i can see my hands are dry and quite scaly on the tops (could potentially put it down to excessive hand washing as I've become a bit germ phobic during this pregnancy). now as I'm sure you knew was coming I googled and all I've seen is stuff about OC that liver thing and I'm over 37 weeks now. I'm having a c section at 39 weeks and have been regularly monitored throughout this pregnancy for various reasons - most recently had blood tests 2 and a half weeks ago for severe sickness to make sure they were normal. would this condition of been picked up in them? and is all itching something to be worried about? I think because I'm paranoid and anxious now I am imagining that I'm getting itching in other places like my breasts and other hand. also want to note it has not been relentless, has stopped itching after applying sudocrem and isnt severe in terms of keeps me up at night etc. should I maybe just give my GP a call tomorrow? I did message my midwife this earlier but she is terrible at replying.

thanks all x

Definitely seek some advice hun I had oc on my last pregnancy and it needs constant monitoring needs picking up if that is what you have. Fingers crossed it's not but please do ring in the morning, congratulations on your pregnancy not long now :) xxx

I do suffer with quite severe anxiety as well, and Google offers the absolute worst. I'm not itchy at all atm and the accounts I've seen suggest itching with this condition is fairly severe and affects the soles of feet nd palms without a rash. I have dry scaly red tops of hands that has stopped. fortunately I only started getting the itchy hand today so hoping waiting until tomorrow morning is a suitable response and I have no reason to be ringing up triage for this. I'm so paranoid :( x

I got OC at 38 weeks in my first pregnancy and was induced next day. Definitely go and get it checked out - a blood test will tell one way or the other.

Its likely that it's the dry scaly skin that's causing the itching, but it's worthwhile getting it checked out to be on the safe side. Itchy skin is sometimes annoying but harmless, but it should be checked out

I'm not too too concerned now as I'm not itching at all since I put cream on my hand, baby movements have been normal too and I do have to remind myself that I have incredibly sensitive skin anyway - think I have to use certain washing tabs to wash my clothes, cant use certain make up ingredients etc. so I'm hoping that's all it is. I dont think it is necessary for me to immediately ring the triage tonight but I will keep an eye on it. I'll ring up my doctor in the morning and explain I'm a little bit anxious and could I maybe have a blood test to put my mind at rest. if not I'll ring midwives at day unit and see if they'll do them x

Hi,

I had this- the dry itchy patches on my hands. I was worried about OC too and saw my gp- it was dermatitis which apparently is very common in pregnancy. Definitely get it checked out as you’re doing tomorrow :)

that's what mine looks like - the skin is dry and flaky looking on the tops of my hands and sometimes when I get out of the shower my upper arms sometimes get red blotches too. it's just oc is what is thrown up when you look this up and because it can be so serious I've got myself all paranoid x

Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, my hands are the same now aswell in nesting so constantly got my hands wet through cleaning/ washing they are dry, itchy, bit scaly too.. if its eased with cream i wouldn't say its OC but im not a medical professional but nothing wrong with checking with midwife xx

yeah I think the reason I've kind of managed to chill myself to a certain degree is I've had sensitive skin that can be very reactive for years so this is not something that randomly came on and it's not something that has been constant which is what OC looks like it is. and I also have visibly dry flaky skin on top of my hands and upper arms. however Google has now triggered intense paranoia and I wont be able to get it out of my head I dont think :( x

so the triage were very clued up about it and said yes as it can be a symptom they would do a blood test to rule it out and to contact my community midwife to arrange this, just spoken to my normal midwife and she has absolutely no idea what OC is and seems confused as to why the hospital would suggest a blood test not really sure what to suggest now lol surely I shouldn't be having to explain to a midwife about this condition that I actually dont know much about myself - feel like she wont do the test now as she doesnt understand what it's for even though I have explained the triage have just advised me this morning to contact her about this. urghhhh x

okay ignore above post she is going to take some bloods at 1 PM x

@Hopex3 have you had your results back yet? I'm 32 weeks and I've had the same for just over a week now! Itching on my wrists, lower back, thighs, sides of breasts and armpits. My midwife said I'm likely just dehydrated but it's worse at night. I rang the triage line this morning and they said because it's not the palms of my hands or feet it's nothing to worry about! I'm still panicking though!

I ended up not having the bloods taken until yesterday morning as apparently they wanted me to fast for the 12 hours before as results can be less accurate. meant to be hearing back today, she said she thinks it's unlikely but was happy to put my mind at rest as cant be too careful and I've suffered with anxiety most of this pregnancy. hopefully they'll come back clear, sympathise tho the itching is horrible! I have scratches all over my hands and wrists from it :( yeah they said to me it's more likely with the palms and soles of feet but it's hard once you have read about something and it's in your mind not to know - maybe push your midwife and say you're struggling with it and could you not have a blood test just to at the very least settle your mind x

@Hopex3 please can you let me know what the results say when you get them? Yes I'm going to call my GP on Monday morning and speak to them (as my midwife is useless)

hiya just to update no cholestasis but iron levels have come back pretty bad so having a prescription for that. looks like the colder weather etc. has played up my skin hopefully yours is the same and hormones etc. x

@Hopex3 glad it's not OC and that you've found out tour iron levels are low so you can try and resolve them.

I spoke to my midwife, maternity triage and 111 and they all said nothing to worry about and wouldn't do any tests regarding my itchingI then rang my doctor today and he wants to see me tomorrow morning for a blood test and was shocked nobody else seemed bothered! Glad someone is actually taking it seriously but hoping it's nothing.

Just thought I'd let you all know that although my doctor did do a blood test he did the wrong one! My midwife then mocked him for doing the wrong one (she's a cow and I pointed out to her that it's her responsibility to have done that blood test) and she did the right one and it's come back as high levels for the bile acids. I'm going into hospital today to discuss results.

Just some advice that if you're itching push for the tests because only you know if you don't feel right. I've had itching for weeks and weeks now and everyone I've spoken to has said if it's not on my hands or feet then it's not the liver condition which is obviously false as I don't have itching on my hands or feet at all- just everywhere else!