Hi-wondering if anyone knows about abdominal rashes during pregnancy. I first got it at 20 weeks, and it would started around naval area, spreading then more to the sides, mid-abdomen area. They were raised, red bumps; some were welt-like but itchy, and very uncomfortable (as well as being freaked out when I get these). They come and go, usually starting in the evening sometime and then resolves by morning. My doctor couldn't figure it out and gave me hydrocortisone cream, which hasn't really helped b/c they go away on its own anyways by morning. Any ideas or experience with this???
Thanks to everyone for your responses! I've definitely have looked at factors like diet, weather, and other possible allergens. Unfortunately, there was no change in really anything I've done before- (have been really careful with diet, even have done allergy testing, and elimination diet. I've been using a hyperallergenic, fragrance-free, all natural heavy duty moisturizer that I've used for a while (even before pregnancy; basically, it's a mix of shea butter, cocoa butter, and olive oil). I asked about PUPPS, but was told my doctor said that it wouldn't come this early-it starts usually by the 30th week or later. I will keep looking out for other factors but really appreciate everyone's feedback. It's soooo great to get responses and, more importantly, support! Thank you, thank you!
Z.,
Try to cut out dairy for a few days to see if it works. My kids were allergic to dairy so while pregnant I had strange rashes as well when I ate dairy.
Hope it works,
D.
I had heat rash frequently when I was pregnant. It was worse where my clothing rubbed against my skin. The only thing I found that helped was (oddly enough) diaper rash cream. Mine also would be worse during the day and then disappear at night because I would wear much less binding clothing during the evening, and of course is was cooler. Hope you figure it out soon.
I get that rash every time I am pregnant. In fact, I usually figure out I am pregnant because of that dumb rash! It is basically a type of yeast infection. I just make a trip to the dermatologist and they get me a script that works like a charm.
Good luck with your first little one! = )
kinda sounds like hives. I used to get the same kind of thing when I was younger (like high school age). I would one on my face that would only last for a couple of hours a day max. but it was like 1 itchy welt around my mouth area. I may be allergic to something but I have never been able to pin point anything and I haven't had them in years. So even though it's itchy and no fun it should just go away on it's own.
I have a few thoughts, first is that if you are Rh incompatible and they have given you a Rhogham shot, those can often cause a rash. If it is a PUPPS rash, it would be very itchy, so if it gets worse, feel free to contact me, I know of a compounded lotion you can use. It also could just be your increased hormone levels, it which case, use non-perfumed lotions, oatmeal baths, and increase your fluids. Good luck! Feel free to contact me if you have more questions!
W. Nichols-Dewey, CD(DONA)
www.birthfirstdoula.vpweb.com
Hi Z.,
I had exactly the rash you have, it started when I found out I was pregnant, and slowly resolved after my son was born. It was pretty much covering 6 inches of my back and belly around my equator- and very itchy!
For me, it is from the folic acid I took/am taking, somehow made much worse by the pregnancy/nursing hormones. I cut back the folic acid in my diet to a "women's dose" vs a "pregnant woman's dose" (after the risk of neural tube defects due to lack of folic acid was no longer an issue).
I have heard of two other women this has happened to as well,- you might want to consider trying to decrease your folic acid intake a little when your doctor says it's safe.
Hi Z.,
I am not sure and may be way off but I had a similar thing during my last pregnancy. It turned out to be PUPPS (Puritic Urticarial Papules of Pregnancy). It is rare but does occur during pregnancy. It generally occurs later in the pregnancy. Mine was one of the worst cases my Dr.'s office had seen. I had to stay out of the sun, wear long sleeves and long pants, used a prescription cortisone cream and ended up having to take a Medrol Dose pak. It turned out okay for me but REALLY uncomfortable. Good luck, I hope it is not PUPPS for your sake. Google it and see what you find out.
I had abdominal rashes during my pregnancies due to allergy to ultrasound gel. Very itchy, very bumpy and apparently very unusual. I learned to put a layer of other lotion on my belly to form a barrier before my appts for ultrasounds and then wash my abdomen after the ultrasound immediately, with a damp towel. That helped a lot.
this sounds just like how my latex allergy began. i was pregnant at the time too. my rash was around my thighs. it would resolve after about a week and then come back. i finally figured out that i was having an allergic reaction to the rubber on my thigh highs and the rash came back every week because i was wearing them every sunday to church. i looked up rubber allergies on the internet and learned that a person can become gradually allergic to certain products from the rubber tree. have you had any surgeries? these can increase your sensitivity to latex or other rubbers over time. at the time my symptoms began, i had had 2 surgeries. that was 4 years ago and i now react immediately to certain adhesive bandages or medical tapes and the reaction remains for hours after the cause is removed. some elastics on underwear make me itch. and of course i react to latex gloves (pelvic exam with latex gloves + latex allergy = pain!). i'm guessing the reason your rash goes away by morning is because at night you took off whatever was causing the reaction, or maybe you kept the elastic waist underwear on but the increased pressure from your pants during the day sets off the reaction.
Ask your OBGYN if it could be PUPPPS. I dont want to alarm or scare you but if it is PUPPPS it could get alot worse. I had this with my first and only pregnancy. It is basically a rash that is caused by your body eliminating a toxin through your skin instead of your poo. It is not harmful to you or the baby but will itch like sin and the ONLY cure is delivery. If it is PUPPPS you will not get it on your face, rear end or back. Heat will cause the rash to look and itch worse. Cool wash cloths and oatmeal baths were the only comfort I found. This rash is rare and some doctors/nurses have never seen it. You can google the acronym and it will give you the full medical name.
As my belly grew, particularly with my first pregnancy, I would get what appeared to be a rash as my skin was stretching. It would come and go, itch, and then I'd be fine. I assumed it was part of how our skin learns to grow. My belly, and also my upper-thigh/hip area would have this phenomenon. Have you tried different prego belly products?
I am almost 18 weeks pregnant (first time too and almost 34!) and have noticed a small rash on my belly. It is more like small bumps all over the belly and it usually goes away in the morning too. My husband, who is an acupuncturist, said that it may be some detox happening and my body's way of keeping the toxins away from the baby. Also, have you considered that there may be some food allergies? I know that when I eat food that I can't tolerate (like gluten), I will get a rash on various parts of my body. Hope this helps and if you want to chat more about it just drop me a line. Happy Pregnancy! L.
Hi Z.,
You may have Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPPP). The best advice I can give, is to see a dermatologist.
J.
Sounds like dry skin. Your skin is streching, put lots of GOOD lotion on it. Not just lotion, but a heavy tub of cream. Good luck!
You might have PUPPP (it's a pregnancy rash) I had it with two of mine, but one was in the last trimester and terrible. It did not go away till 6 weeks post delivery with the help of steroids. The other came after my last pregnancy and went away about 6 weeks on it's own. I would ask your doctor about this I'm surprised he would not have checked you for that as it is fairly common. Here is some info from the following website: http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_inform...
"PUPPP usually develops during a first pregnancy and appears first on the abdomen near the belly button (often in stretch marks) and then spreads to the thighs and extremities as the small, red wheals of the rash gradually merge to create larger wheals."
This happened to my friend while pregnant...she realized it was from eating too many tangerines. Normally tangerines weren't a problem for her, though. Could it be something in your diet causing the rash?
