Eczema flare up since getting pregnant. Help 😭

[Sophjadeskade]

Hi everyone,

As soon as I found out I was pregnant I noticed my skin had completely changed - I just assumed was very dry and applied moisturiser etc however this progressed pretty quickly into dermatitis / eczema on my face. I’ve had very mild issues with eczema around my eyes before but this is bit patches on my head, eyes and around my mouth.

It’s honestly ruining my life - I feel like I can’t go out due to how it looks and the pain and stinging etc is just horrendous. I have tried every cream you can think of, was prescribed fusidin H which worked to an extent but I’m sure it was just due to the hydrocortisone in it, now I’m using a tiny bit of 0.5% hydrocortisone at night to keep it at bay - this is the only thing that works. This has been for about 2 months so panicking I’m getting addicted to the steroid or il end up withdrawing. Can anyone help or recommend anything at all? Paying private to see a derm too but being pregnant you can’t have half the stuff that apparently work!

many help much appreciated!! Thank you xxx

Poor you, I’ve been there twice! 2 out of 4 of my pregnancies I really suffered with this exact problem (it was so bad at one point that I looked like I’d been beaten up with swollen eyes and I couldn’t even visit my v ill dad in hospital) Couple of questions for you: are you allergic to anything? Because in my case it was entirely allergy related and my pregnancy hormones made it far worse. First time caused by hair dye, second time caused by my glasses rims. I became allergic to them during pregnancy. I also react to some make up/nickel/lip balms/moisturisers etc. be suspicious of everything including things you’ve been using for a really long time.
I would avoid as many products on your face as you possibly can because you are hypersensitive at the moment and this may get rid of the problem. If it doesn’t get rid of it the problem went away quickly after pregnancy for me. I also ended up having to use a tiny amount of hydrocortisone very occasionally just to function. You have my sympathies it’s really hard to cope with!

Really feel for you. Mine flared up in early pregnancy but I really didn't want steroid cream, I decided to try Hanna siltoe. I went for the probiotic liquid and the cream. It's made a massive difference x

Thanks both, I’m hoping it does go away after pregnancy fingers crossed. Never suffered before other than I had a reaction to a cream I put near my eyes and they became sensitive after but very mild. Thank you I will take a look at the hanna siltoe - not heard of that one. And yeah I guess keep everything to the absolute minimum makeup and cream wise! Xx

I would put money on it being allergic contact dermatitis especially if you’ve experienced it before. Play detective and see if something stands out! Good luck

i also had zero allergies before pregnancy, it seemed to be pregnancy that triggered them for me and sadly now I have quite a few!!

0.5% is really a very mild steroid indeed so I don't think you need to worry too much about using it, in fact it might be that a shorter duration of a stronger steroid might be what's needed.
GPs are very skilled in treating eczema so I'd book in for an appointment with them to see what they think

Thank you so much for all the responses. Given me food for thought, going to take the advice and book another GP app on Monday - have a private derm app booked on weds but it’s £300 so will give the GP one last try. I have read about a stronger steriod but for a short period so maybe that’s worth a shot. Thanks again, much appreciated xx

Hi @Sophjadeskade just wondering how your eczema ended up after you gave birth?

This post describes exactly what I’m dealing with and it started the day after I found out I was pregnant. I’m now almost 16 weeks and honestly it feels like it’s just getting worse.

It’s mainly my face and my neck I’m struggling with. A very dry itchy neck and red, puffy eyes with red patches around my mouth. I too am avoiding leaving the house. All moisturiser’s irritate me, and I dare wear makeup as I can only imagine how irritating that would be. So I have no choice but to exist looking like this and it’s making me miserable.

This is my third pregnancy and I do remember eczema flares with my
other two but I think this is the worst as my skin literally blew up immediately after I got a positive test.

I hope things got better for you!

Hey @L00k4m3x it sounds like we're suffering from the same problem. I'm 8 weeks and the day after I found out I woke up with swollen puffy eyes and I've had dry red rashes round my eyes and mouth ever since. I've tried balmonds balm which helps with the dryness but aveeno and sudocream don't seem to help. I'd be interested to hear if you find anything that works for you. It's frustrating that there seems to be so few creams/treatments out there for pregnant women suffering with this. Just know you're not alone and I hope it clears up for you soon x

@CoralRaven I’m so sorry you’re suffering too, although it’s comforting to learn that I’m not alone and it’s way more common than I thought.

My skin is still really crap. I alternate between either being really dry or really red, I’m not sure which I prefer. As soon as I put any moisturiser on the areas that are bad on my face they turn bright red. The only comfort I find is sitting in front of a fan for a while, especially to help bring down the redness before leaving the house.

It’s massively affecting my self confidence, I don’t even want to see neighbours or friends. I’m actually going to a friend’s house today and I already want to find a reason to cancel because I just absolutely hate looking like this.

Sorry I have no real advice, my skin always immediately does amazing after I give birth but it just sucks that I can’t enjoy my
pregnancy in the meantime because of it.

I had the same and literally nothing worked - almond oil, beauty pie miracle creams, eczema cream from New Zealand - I spent way too much money trying to fix it for the first 14 weeks 😂My skin actually hurt and felt like it was cracking - mine was my whole torso, with little bit on my face. I was like a shedding snake.

But what I did find both times is it improved dramatically after 16 weeks.. hope yours does the same and its not much longer.

I got this first pregnancy. I have eczema but noticed it was slightly different on my face - not really itchy, and really defined borders. Around eyes, mouth, some on cheeks. Also seemed to be triggered by some foods.
GPs and even dermatologists were completely baffled and kept sending me down the wrong treatment pathways.

Long story short, treating it as a yeast infection works for me - so the fusidic acid you have, I think im prescribed xemacort.
If I ever get it now during PMS I treat it with xemacort and doublebase, which is a thick emollient. I use the doublebase every night preventatively, it's a brilliant moisturiser!

Good luck.