Covered in a rash- 25 weeks preg- is this a pregnancy related thing?

[Mumblesmummy]

I've been using cocoa butter and bio oil on my tummy and never had a problem with it, but the past few days my tummy has been really itchy. Then it turned into a full blown rash. I stopped using both but the rash just got worse.

Now it's on my boobs too and i don't use any cream or anything on my boobs. It's soooooooo itchy i can't stand it. It looks like prickly heat but obviously can't be because it's bloody freezing. I think I might be poorly as yesterday it was freezing and blowing a hooly and I went out in a t-shirt and was STILL too hot.

Anyone have any ideas what it could be? And if I should go to a doctor or not?

TIA

Have you looked on the NHS Direct website for advice? I normally go there first or I ring them, but obviously because you are pg and they can't take any chances they would suggest you go and seek proper advice by someone who can actually see the rash.

I'm sure (but don't quote me on it) that you have to be careful with unexplained rashes in pregnancy so might it be worth checking? I'm a bit precious when it comes to rashes of any kind so in this instance, I would be inclined to go and see the doctor just for some reassurance. Other alternative is to ring a midwife? I know our midwives don't have a clinic or anywhere you can ring during the weekend, but might it be worth ringing the maternity ward at the hospital and asking for some advice?

Hope it turns out to be nothing and that you feel more comfortable soon!

Mumblesmummy - please get this checked out. It may be just an allergic reaction but there's a chance it could be Obstetric Cholestasis which can be quite serious. I know someone who had undiagnosed severe OC and her baby was stillborn as a result. I really, really don't want to freak you out but you should definitely get the rash checked out in order to rule this out.

I hope in your case there's no cause for concern and you stop itching soon!

I can't really find what I'm looking for on the NHS direct website. I looked at the OC link, and I do have darker wee and the whites of my eyes are a little yellow so I'll definately get it checked. My hands and feet arn't itchy though. Just my tummy (which is now TOTALLY covered in a red blotchy horrible rash) and my boobs, and 1 of the tops of my arms is starting to itch. I've never had a rash in my life (other than prickly heat) so I'm inclined to think it's pregnancy related.

Is there anything it could be other than OC? I don't think it's an allergy because it's spreading to where I've not used anything

I would go to the GP or see your midwife and ask to be tested for obstetric cholestasis.

I'd go to the maternity unit too. I'm sure I have heard that OC does not usually cause a rash, but it is still important to get it checked asap.

Other things it could be - look here, or possibly scabies?

Keep a close eye on baby's movements too.

I had a pregnancy related dermatitis from about 36 weeks all over my tummy and incredibly itchy - sometimes known as PUPPP (try searching on Google). It doesn't cause any problems and disappeared after the birth and my gp was able to give me something to help the itching. You do need to get it checked out though.

I rang the hospital and they told me to go in because I've been sick a couple of times. Hope they don't think I'm fussing i always feel silly about going in.

THIS IS YOUR BABY YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO FUSS!!

I was worried about the same thing and nearly lost mine. You can not be too careful when it comes to your baby.

Let us know how you get on.

Mummblesmummy- I hope you are ok, let us know how you get on?

Thanks everyone. I went to the hospital and they did blood tests. They said they don't think it's the OC thing because there's a rash with it but they did the blood tests to double check. I've stopped being sick which is good, but the rash is still driving me crazy. Thing is, when they put the ultrasound gel on me for the doppler, it got REALLY itchy again and I realised I've had it since last week when i had a scan and the gel was used... so maybe an allergic reaction?

They said to use piriton allergy tablets if it continues. Weird thing is, my DP has now started with it on his face (we only noticed 10 minutes ago before he went to work so I'll see how he is when he gets home in the morning). I've absolutely no idea what it is. Baby's heartbeat was loud and strong though so hopefully it's just me and not the baby.

The doctor said 'we should know you off by heart now because you've had six scans' so I got really embarressed but I explained I've just had one thing after another and she said not to worry and she hopes the rest of my pregnancy goes smoother.

She gave me an option of staying in overnight for monitoring but she said she thought I was ok and could go home so I did go home. I do feel better in myself today but it's just that the rash is still there. It's gone from my boob and leg now, but seems to be getting even worse on my tummy.

Just waiting for the blood results now really, and I'll go to the GP if it stays bad this week. Just to be on the safe side.

Thanks all