ITCHY STRETCHMARKS - ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Wilkiepedia]

Have nasty red stretchmarks on my tum (am 37 weeks pg), and they are driving me INSANE with the itching. It is indescribable how itchy they are and now there appears to be tiny little spot bumps dotted around the stretchmarks.

Went to GP today who prescribed HC cream, have been applying Palmers Cocoa Butter and Calomine Lotion but NOTHING is working.

I could scream with the itchiness. Anyone have ANY suggestions? Getting desperate, it is taking all my energy not to claw my skin off my stomach.

id be phoning the mw/ hospital, very itchy skin during pregnancy can be a sign of something quite serious..... go get checked out by a mw.

WHatever you do, don't let the doctor prescribe a steroid cream. My gp did for my itchy bump when I was pg with dd and I didn't realise a known side effect was thinning of the skin I think that's why I got so many. You can get some lovely stuff from Neals Yard, or the body shop have a gel that I can't remember the name of that is good

Have spoken to MW and seen GP today. They have all said that as the itching is localised to the stretchmarks and NOT my hands, feet or anywhere else that I should not be concerned about obstetric cholastitis.

It sounds like PUPPP to me, click on this link to read about it...

dermatology.about.com/cs/pregnancy/a/puppp.htm

I had it with my first, the midwives know very little about it and as it isn't dangerous they're not really interested. There isn't anything they can do, the only thing that makes it go away is when you have the baby. You have my sympathy it's really really horrible! With me it started in the stretch marks then moved down my legs and arms, that took about a week and then it became alot less itchy. I found that Aloe vera gel (one for sunburn) kept in the fridge helped alot and taking cool baths with herbal bath salts.

On a positive note, I was really worried that it would come back with subsequent pregnancies, now on my third and it hasn't affected me again. I think it's more common in your first pg.

Hope this helps x

I should also add that, the research point's to there being a link with carrying male babies (an allergic type reaction to male DNA ) I was convinced I was having a boy, so this just confirmed it... I was very surprised when the midwife announced I'd had a girl!

Hi there,

I have found that E45 cream and bath cream is really good for lots of things very soothing, but do a patch test first if you have never used b4, I only say that as my daughter came up in little bumps when she used it.

Or have you thought of aloe vera products, the real thing from the plant is amazing but ready made products would probably be as good.

Just a couple of suggestions, hope something helps you soon,

xxXxx

I would still be worried about cholastasis to be honest- I would ask for a blood test to check liver function.

Dont want to worry you, but thats what is sounds like, even though mw/gp said not to

Twinkle - just logged on to check out PUPPS as my friend said she thought that is, saw your post and link and it is EXACTLY what I have.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I have woken up (well barely slept but hey..) with loads of tiny water filled blisters inside the stretchmarks and a few outside the stretchmarked area which itch like BUGGERY.

Rang GP again and they have also prescribed antihistamine for night as well as HC cream. It is still very itchy but doesn't look so angry tonight.

This is my second pg and it is a boy - didn't have this with first one.

Thanks for the other responses too ladies - let's hope LO comes early :D

Glad I could help! You have my sympathy though, it is truely horrible and the last thing you need in the late stages of pregnancy

I had this condition, even though I can't recall the DR calling it Pupps, but it looked very much like that. He gave me antihistamine as well. Mine did go away after a few weeks, luckily, as it drove me mad! The itching was terrible and kept me awake at night. I also gave birth to a boy. I'm pg with my 2nd, hoping it doesn't come back again. I found putting Bio Oil in my bath made the inflammation easier. Hopefully only 3 weeks to go for you and it will all be gone! Good luck.

Back again. God this is horrible. The stretchmarks are now like HUGE welts and the tiny ant bite like spots have spread over my belly, some on boobs and some on legs. I wish I could get to my GP but obv Tues will be earliest. I'm just worried it could affect the baby?????

PUPPS doesn't affect the baby, don't worry. You will probably be over the worst of it by Tuesday

I had exactly the same thing in last couple of weeks of pregnancy and can sympathise with your pain, the most irritating thing ever. I had large baby boy last weekend and a week on things are really improving so don't worry it does go away and you will be pleased to know the rash makes the stretch marks look a lot worse, now it is drying out and they are fading a lot, I do have quite a scabby tummy though which happens as the rash dries up. Good luck with everything

Thank you girls.

HtheH - did the itching stop as soon as you gave birth? I am so itchy that I am narky and just don't want to do anything. Poor DS1, I keep snapping at him.

I have exactly this - so far the only relief has come from Elizabeth Arden 8 hour body moisturiser plus an antihistamine. Itching is driving me crazy!

Cold damp towel on the bump provides temporary but welcome relief!

I've read people using coal's tar soap, which I saw in Sainsbury's the other day so guess it's easy/cheap to get hold of.

Hope you get some relief soon :)

I know exactly how you feel! I'm due next Tuesday and for the last ten days or so the itching has been driving me insane! I got checked out and it's nothing sinister thankfully but it looked dreadful. Stretchmarks were so deep, red and sore looking combined with a lovely red rash which spread to my legs. I had been using bio oil religiously but started to use sudocrem on the really sore areas and stretchmarks. This has really helped and the rash has totally vanished now and the stretchmarks look much paler and far less angry. The itching has subsided too, not vanished but significantly less which means I haven't completely lost my mind! I hope you are feeling less itchy soon.

I had oc but didnt itch on my hands and feet would ask for a blood test still I did and had it also at hospital they gave me piriton to help with itching .

I'm sure that what you describe may well be nothing to worry about, but your midwife/GP are wrong in saying that your hands and feet have to be itchy in OC. I had OC and my hands and feet did not itch so they should test to rule it out and reassure anyway. The OC support Uk organisation is very helpful for advice and support - they are on fb and have a website and helpline. Hope your itching subsides and you can get some rest x

Stretch Mark Cream - www.stretchmarktherapycream.com/ct/99781 I got this cream when I was 2 months pregnant because i was so worried about stretch mark scars. it has worked a treat so far! (touch wood).