Rash on bump (sorry for pic)

[chapso]

Hi mums,

For the last week or so I’ve developed this rash on my stomach, chest and on my back. I’m 24 weeks pregnant. I’ve noticed that it seems to be getting worse and it’s quite itchy.

I’ve spoken to the doctor who has prescribed me a steroid cream which seems to be doing very little, if anything making things worse. She thinks it is discoid eczema but I’m not convinced. Feeling a little uneasy about using steroid cream if it’s not going to help.

It’s focused just around bump mainly and so I’m assuming it’s a pregnancy related rash. I’ve never had skin problems before.

I’ve spoken to the midwife who said that this is more of a medical/doctor issue and was unable to make suggestions. I’m just feeling worried as it does seem to be spreading every day and I’m keen to tackle - itch is driving me mad!

I wondered if anyone has experienced anything similar?

Sorry for the tmi pic! X

Is this your first?
With my first from 27weeks till I had my daughter I had a rash that started on my stomach and ended up every where other than heat arms and bottom of legs. Research pupps. I wasn’t given steroid cream but was given emollient creams and show gels also antihistimine to take at night. As it got so bad it stopped my from sleeping as I was so itchy.
I hope it’s not for you x

@Skymum82 Yes this is my first. I'm convinced it is pupps. Feeling quite itchy but hopefully it doesn't get any worse. Thanks for your reply and help x

Most likely cause is PEP (formerly called PUPPS) and if so, topical steroid cream is usually the treatment. I would go back to your GP and say it’s not helping - they usually also give you an emollient and an antihistamine to take (I was given promethazine for nausea early on and then again for the itching). If that still doesn’t work they do sometimes prescribe a short course of oral steroids. You could ask to be seen by a dermatologist (or see one privately if you’re really suffering and need seeing sharpish, if you can afford to obviously).

If you can get to a chemist tomorrow, hydromol is a really effective emollient for itching which might help. I don’t think you can buy any anti histamines over the counter when pregnant even though several are perfectly safe but it’s worth asking.

The other main cause of severe itching in pregnancy is ICP - your symptoms don’t seem to match it from what you’ve said, there’s usually no rash and the itching usually affects hands and feet at first). It is more worrying though so if you have any symptoms of that then go back to GP and ask for the relevant blood tests.

Not a HCP by the way, just had a lot of itching and PEP when I was pregnant so this is info I got then - obviously talk to GP though if you’re suffering :)

Looks like pityriasis rosea to me. Did you have a herald patch? One that was there first? Pityriasis rosea is usually confined to trunk. Lasts 6 weeks or so then goes away.

Sorry OP, just looked it up (when I had it I wasn't pregnant) and it looks like it can be of concern in pregnancy so best speak to the hospital where you are planning to deliver?

Have you rubbed anything on bump recently that you havnt used before? I had been using an oil like moisturiser on my belly when hubby bought me mummas bees belly butter. Put it on and next day my belly was completely covered in a really itchy rash. Defo pupps could be the cause tho the more splotchy areas look more like pupps. An itchy belly is a nightmare 😭

Agree that it could be pupps. I had it during a heatwave with my first and it drove me mad. Pines tar soap helped

My son has discoid eczema and it does look like this- pityriasis rosacea I had before and that started in the trunk and spread upwards towards my neck - both conditions were treated with emollient and steroid cream

@PFin

I also got itchy rash from the mammas bees belly butter!
Seen so many recommendations that i couldn't believe it was this.
But recently i tried re applying and the rash started again. So definitely the product...

I have no known allergy to anything.

Sometimes rash in pregnancy can be linked to problems with liver which needs to be checked.

When I had itchy rash and belly my midwife said change to non bio washing powder, use simple soaps without a smell and bath in a bath with porridge oats. The oats were lovely on skin but gross in bath.

@SunnySideUp2020 couldnt believe it either when I came up in a rash especially since its fragrence free. Im not allergic to anything usually either.

Hey, I had a rash that looked very similar to this but I have a skin condition called Psoriasis. Saw dermatologist who said it’s either psoriasis or pityriasis rosea but quickly ruled out rosea as the rash didn’t have a “Christmas tree” look to it in the centre of the spots (if you google it, you’ll know what I mean). Anyways, long story short, turned out it was psoriasis triggered by a viral infection. I hadn’t had any symptoms of a viral infection but it was my bodies reaction that brought it out. Mine went within a month but was super itchy and widespread. I was given a LOW steroid cream and diprobase to use twice a day to help soothe the itch.