I'm 13 weeks pregnant with our second baby, and last Thursday I started having an itchy rash on random spots of my body. They look like tiny little bumps (sometimes the color of my skin and other times more inflamed and red). The bumps started on the backs of my hands and now it's on my forearms, hips, and inner thighs. Sometimes the itching is so bad that it wakes me up. I saw my Ob Gyne b/c I was wondering if it was pregnancy related since nothing else is new and I haven't done anything different (i.e. foods, detergents, lotions, etc).
My ob gyne said it didn't look like PUPPS (?) and she doesn't know what it is. I went online and I think it might be something called prurigo of pregnancy, but I'm not sure and I hate to self diagnose especially since my ob gyne was at a loss. I have an appointment with my primary in 2 weeks and a dermatologist in 2 months and an allergist in 2 1/2 months (which is the earliest I could get in to see any of them) , but I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this before and what helped get rid of the rash.
My ob gyne said to use hydrocortisone cream and take benadryl, but I really don't want to do that indefinitely if I don't have to.
I had the same thing with my pregnancy. No doctor was ever able to tell me what it was. I did the rounds to all the different doctors but with no definite diagnosis. I found that taking benadryl at night would allow me to get some sleep. I used hydrocortisone cream and Sarna lotion and that helped somewhat. You could also try aquaphor. The good news is that it did go away as soon as I delivered.
It could just be excema. I am pregnant as well and an itchy rash that started on the back of my hand- little bumps that spread a bit and now a patch on my leg. I looked forever on the internet and even thought it might be an early form of skin cancer! I finally went to a dermatologist and she laughed and told me it is just excema. She gave me a great lotion and some steroid cream to put on at night (my oby-gyn said it was safe) and it is so much better now. It really won't get completely better until the weather warms up, and pregnancy supposedly exacerbates it, too. I don't know why it would take so long to get in to see a dermatologist? I just looked up my insurance company website and chose a doctor that is covered and got an appt. in a few days. In the meantime, you can just get a great lotion that is more designed for excema. Good luck and congrats!
Had something similar the last week of my pregnacy. My doctors were also not sure about what it could be. Used cortizone after I gave birth but what worked wonders was a home remedy. My mother insisted that I use her boiled "arnica" tea with a 2 spoons of backing soda and add vinager. This not only eliminates the itch but dries the rash in a few days. I certainly did not believe in this but currently used it to help my boys eczema and any diaper rashes of my 2 year old daughter. You can find arnica in at Cermack Produce or typically Mexican grocery stores.
Good luck, I know how uncomfortable this feels.
I'm thinking you should skip the general dr. appt. and work hard to get into the dermatologist as soon as possible. Certain things like eczema and psoriasis can flare up or surface for the first time due to the flucuation of hormones.Plus, Winter in Chicago is terrible for skin! Having had a lot of experience with dermatologists in the Chicago area I can refer you to one I really like, Dr. Pinski. If he is not available within a week or two I suggest you see one of his physician assistants (Steve or Renee). The PA's treated me while I was pregnant and they were great. Also, you can asked to be placed on a calling list in case someone cancels there appt last minute. I really like this office. Good luck.
Dr. Kevin Pinski
150 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601-7605
###-###-####
I had this SOOOO bad with my first pregnancy- the only thing that worked for me was to slather myself with Gold Bond Medicated Lotion. It has a menthol feeling to it and that was the only thing that soothed the itch- good luck, I know it is horrible! Only had this with my first pregnancy, though- not the next three, if that makes you feel any better :)
I had spots too. I was told to try these things. First, increase your water intake. Second never drink soda. The sodas are drawing on your skin, and your baby is drawing on your skin and stretching you out, and your skin can only take so much. If it is the soda... then more water and no soda will fix it. I was so itchy and the rash was so ugly I went to tip #2. Get a Lotramin fungus cream from the foot care isle. I put a tiny bit everywear it was itchy. I did it in the morning and just before bed. That worked for me. My itch was gone in three days flat, but I used the cream all week just to be sure it wouldnt come back. Then the third tip Doc gave was vasoline. Just rub vasoline on all the itchy spots. sometimes those spots are lacking moisture. The vasoline helps to keep the little water you have left from evaporating off the skin. Like it traps water in the skin, hydrating the area. This works for a lot of moms. Good Luck.
Skip all the other Dr.'s & go to an allergist. Dermatologist's think every rash is ecsema (sp??). Call the allergist back & demand an appointment sooner. If they can't do it, then find a different one that can see you sooner.
I had Pupps with both pregnancy. It is a total PITA!!! You can have one round of steroids, which helps when it's really bad, but that's it one round, after that it's all about anti-itch creams & cold showers, which sucks during a winter pregnancy!!
They're not exactly sure what causes it, but the leading theories are that a) you're allergic to your own pregnancy hormones or b) something the man contributes to the baby's genetic makeup. Either way it's itchy & uncomfortable. I found that over-the-counter allergy pills (a generic 24-hour one) helped a ton, as did Caladryl lotion, they have a clear one that helped a lot.
Funny that you're getting it with your second pregnancy, not the first. Usually it's the first, I was told I wouldn't get it with my second one, HA! And I learned that it's more common with heavier moms, dunno if that applies, but this is supposed to be pretty uncommon, lucky us!
Good luck & congrats on the new baby!
D.
I had PUPPPS with my first pregancy and it was torture! It itched so bad. I used a whole ton of calamine (sp?) lotion. My doc told me that the only way to cure it was to deliver the baby, and mine decided to be two week over due!! Good news was that I didn't get it for my last two preganacies.
Sorry you are having to deal with this too!
