Really itchy; any advice?

[isaidno]

I am 21 weeks, and becoming increasingly itchy. All the books say this is just because of increased blood supply to the skin.

I have no rash (only fingernail marks!!) and the itch moves, mostly it is arms, legs, chest and back.

I read about cholestasis, but this is apparently a liver disorder. I didn't get this itchy in my last 2 pregnancies and it's very rare anyway. I think it's just itchiness.

Any helpful hints for relief?

I used to cover myself in baby oil in the shower when still wet, helped it soak in, and add more cream, cocoa butter or vitamin E cream, after that had all soaked in.

I had bad itching all over with dd1, just a reaction to being pg and it being the hottest farking summer ever, gp told me wasn't allowed anti histamen, consultant told me wk later of course I was just had to be careful which ones, could have killed GP!
you could ask at chemist which ones, am sorry, I don't remember

oilatum in the bath and aveeno cream were good too

hello

If you are itching all over and it seems to be getting worse, you should definitely get a blood test done to rule out cholestasis. It's not THAT rare, and the fact that you didn't have it in your first two pregnancies doesn't mean that you don't have it this time.

Am not wanting to sound worrying, by the way. I had it in my first pregnancy and, as long as it's diagnosed, it's not dangerous at all. Definitely worth getting a blood test done, just in case.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

Thnanks. Will try moisturising more; will keep an eye on the severity of the itching, and mention to mw if it gets worse. It is not constant, and it is not on my hands / feet. It is just bl**dy annoying!

Was going to say the same as pregnabrain - get it checked out just to be on the safe side. My friend had cholestasis in her first preg (not 2nd) - she did have to be induced at 37 weeks, but all was well. It's worth getting it eliminated.

I'd mention it to your MW at your next check anyway; these things are always worth getting checked out, for peace of mind.

It might be rare, but there were two women on my AN thread with it. One of them only had a mildly itchy finger, but her bile acid levels were scarily high.

hope I haven't scared you

Isaidno - just wanted to add to pregnabrain that I had cholestasis with both my pgs - the first was textbook hands and feet itching. The 2nd was all over itching, so should really get it checked out - it's only a quick blood test and then you can itch away! Ask for some aqueous cream with menthol - worked a treat for my itching (although effects didn't last long (as cholestastis itching isn't really on the surface, so antihistamines etc don't have any effect), it did offer some relief!)

take care
xxx

Thanks all; moisturising more does seem to help a bit, and I will ask about the cholestasis when I see the mw again, unless it gets so bad and I will go to the docs.

What is the treatment for cholestasis, if any?

I got really itchy too - I was rubbing my oils in too fast! {blush}

Yes! It was horrible. I used calamine lotion - make sure they rule out that cholestasis thing (liver disorder - very rare). My itchiness disappeared as soon as the baby was born.

it's making me itch reading this!

I've been using e45 cream which has worked really well & Prada body lotion for a treat

I have only had maddening itching under my boobs - no rash tho. I thought cream might make it worse so tried holding something VERY cold against the skin and found that gave the best relief.

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