Intense itching at night

12 replies

em90792 · 01/05/2020 08:10

Has anyone experienced intense itching at night and seen the midwife or GP? I've developed itching over the past week. Mainly knees down, and feet the worst although I do itch on arms a little too. It's to the point where it keeps me awake, fidgeting, etc.
I've googled thinking maybe I have dry skin and there is some miracle cream but I just get obsetric cholestasis come up.
Has anyone experienced this? I feel a bit silly phoning a midwife or GP because I'm itching at night for the past week. I havent had any other symptoms but I also haven't been looking for any as only saw this at 1am when I couldnt sleep...
Just wanting to know if anyone has had itching and it's been nothing to worry about or did they have multiple symptoms and call.
Oh, and I'm 30 weeks today.

OP posts:

MrsBudd · 01/05/2020 08:12

Yes you must call midwife unit ASAP. I had obstetric cholestasis in my last pregnancy and its suspected in this one too. Your symptoms sound very very similar. It's really important to get seen for this as soon as you can. Could be nothing but always best to check!

mynameiscalypso · 01/05/2020 08:16

Please call ASAP; they will get you in to do some blood tests. It might be OC or it may just be nothing. Either way, they'll be able to give you something to help the itching and if it's the former, it's really important that they know. I had itching around the same time, told my midwife and was whisked in to see the consultant immediately (it was nothing, just itching, and it calmed down a lot with a couple of creams that they prescribed).

SagaBauer · 01/05/2020 08:18

Definitely call your midwife/antenatal day unit. It may be a skin complaint but like pp said if it is OC you don't want to ignore it.

ludicrouslemons · 01/05/2020 08:22

Get checked for OC.

I had itchy hands and feet in late pregnancy, kept testing negative for OC but they brought me in for regular checks.

I found that bathing the affected part in cool water helped - nothing like a 2am cold foot bath! Try oatmeal baths too?

Delbelleber · 01/05/2020 08:57

I get soooo itchy! The itch strikes anywhere! I told a mw at the hospital once and she just gave me a piriton which pretty much put me to sleep!

DressingGown87 · 01/05/2020 09:00

I’m only 15 weeks and been itching loads, around my thighs, legs, and sometimes tops of my arms at night / evening. I spoke to my midwife on my weekly check (high risk) but she just said have I changed my washing powder! Which I haven’t. Then said it must be hormones or dry skin from the warm weather. I have my 16wk consultant appointment so will bring it up again.

Call your midwife and ask the question, as PP said your better getting checked. Hope you stop itching soon!

mumofone2818 · 01/05/2020 09:06

if you are able to get in contact wirh your GP they xan prescribe you with some medicated creams to use! I had this when pregnant and was that bad i was bruising and cutting myself from the scratching, my GP gave me a cream for skin conditions and a safe steriod cream with low % that is safe when pregnant and it cleared up within a week x

Elouera · 01/05/2020 09:09

PLEASE get in touch with someone ASAP!!! You aren't wasting their time! Its important to get this checked. There was an article on the news recently about the dangers of it and getting it checked!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/

Original poster

em90792 · 01/05/2020 10:53

Thank you everyone for the advice. Midwife phoned and off for bloods shortly to be sent off today. Not sure how long they take etc but she said it's best to just check it's nothing to worry about but that itching is normal.

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TenThousandSpoons0 · 01/05/2020 11:11

Hi - hope your bloods are all fine, just wanted to pop on and say that if this is obstetric cholestasis, don’t panic! Some of the replies saying get it checked ASAP may have made you a bit nervous (they would have for me) and there is some scary stuff around about OC and stillbirth BUT it’s usually absolutely manageable and fine, they’ll talk you through it if you do have it. Can also recommend antihistamine tabs if the itching is keeping you awake at night (try cool shower before bed, plain body lotion etc first). X

Original poster

em90792 · 01/05/2020 19:21

Thank you @TenThousandSpoons0 the midwife seemed to think it was unlikely, I asume because it's rare? I've also spoke with doctor about a cream to help so hopefully that will help with the itching at least while I wait for the results.

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badg3r · 01/05/2020 20:32

I had intense itching on my legs, belly and back although it was quite clear it was dry skin in my case. I also had a crash on my belly that the midwife was unsure about. In the end my belly got so itchy I bought some hydrocortisone from the chemist which cleared it up on my stomach in two days! For my legs the best was exfoliating a lot every morning I the shower and then lots and lots of moisturising.

Flip