So Damn Itchy!!!

[jessi]

For the last week or so, I have been itching and itching... it started on just my boobs and stomach- and so I figured it was just normal- growing and stretching skin etc... but now, I am also extremely itchy on my arms, legs and back too!
Its getting to the stage where I am bruising and bringin blood to the surface from scratching so much... I cant stop!!
Its driving me insane! What can it be? and please, how can I make it stop?!

[OceBel]

i had a itchy tummy aswell. and now i have scratch marks all around my tummy from where i scratched.:(

[borntobemummy]

I think you should see your doctor, I vaguely rememmber that itching can be a symptom of a preg-related problem. Better go to be on the safe side. Don't mean to scare you though, just better check it out anyway. :)

[Taylors_mum]

I think its pretty normal. Could also be the cold weather. Make sure you use plenty of moisturiser. Maybe change your soap/shower gell to something thats soap free (you could use some baby wash :laughing: )

If it gets to bad go see a Dr....

[Mrs Little]

Coco Butter-

You can get it from Price Line, Big W, Kmart...etc.

I itched a lot in pregnancy too! I found that the butter was the only thing that helped.

Everytime i had an itch i'd put the butter on straight away, helped the urge to want to scratch too.

Mrs Little & Son.

[aprilbaby]

I had this problem too and it's HORRIBLE.

It's called PUPPS and it's a pregnancy related rash. You should look it up on the web for more info on it ( I would write more but am holding a nearly asleep baby!)

A cortisone cream will help so get your GP or OB to prescribe one. I also used a pine tar anti itch cream that helped and ice packs when it was unbearable.

I can totally relate to how you're feeling. It drives you insane and can be very stressful and upsetting. I hope I've helped and that it clears up soon.

If you have any more questions please ask and I'll write back. xx

[bronny-jane]

:laughing: im itchy too, i cant see where i could fit anymore stretch marks on my war torn body though:D

[KarniF00l]

I also had this problem and the doctor suggested baby oil.. next day i went into labour so i didn't worry about it :laughing:

[Tam-I-Am]

Don't mean to scare you, but all-over itching during late pregnancy can be the sign that there is a problem - it can be PUPPP, but this is generally confined to strechmarks - you tend to get itchy pimples in existing strechmarks, and this isn't too serious.

But another possibility is that its HELLP syndrome - which is a liver enzyme disorder and can lead to permanent health problems for the mum, and usually means that the baby has to be delivered immediately.

Of course, it could just be hormones causing dry skin - But I would really be encouraging you to call your doctor NOW - just in case it is something more serious.

I'm sorry if I've scared you, I didn't mean to, but please get in touch with your OB or doctor immediately.

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

I had this when i was pregnant with dd and i had to goto the hospital for blood tests there is something calledObstetric Cholestasis

Obstetric Cholestasis is a rare condition that occurs in pregnancy and is characterised by extreme itching in the mother. A normal functioning liver produces bile that moves through the intestine and assists in the digestion of food, in sufferers of Obstetric Cholestasis bile acid levels build up and cause toxins, or poisons, to enter the mother’s blood and cause the following symptoms. It is important to identify this condition as it can be a serious concern for the health of your baby, especially after 36 weeks gestation.
Symptoms


Extreme itchiness, especially on the palm of the hands and soles of the feet. This may be the only symptom that presents itself.
Itchiness is often worse at night.
Itchiness that may spread to the rest of the body.
Jaundice.
Dark coloured urine.
Pale stools.
These symptoms may become more pronounced with subsequent pregnancies.Diagnosis


Often by the process of elimination.
Blood tests that should include a bile acid test and liver function test.
If a negative result is first detected and itching persists, tests should be repeated.Treatment


There is little that can be done to treat this condition. Some women report finding relief by using homeopathic therapies.
It is most likely that you will be induced around 36-38 weeks gestation to provide the greatest chance of a safe delivery of your baby.
Following the birth of your baby, symptoms disappear quite quickly and your liver function should return to normal. However, you should have a follow up blood test to confirm this.Hope this helps:thumbsup:

[PhAnToM]

Yep. I had that during pregnancy.
I was put on a NO FAT diet. It was awful. But it was close to the end of the pregnancy Thank God and it hadn't been bad enough to force me to give birth immediately.

I have to agree with everyone who suggested you get it checked out at your obs, if nothing else, for peace of mind.

[Fairyfloss]

I would get it checked out by a doc too, I remember something along the lines of possible trouble, if I have itching in my extremities (feet, legs ,arms...) hope it is not something seroud though:fingerscrossed:

[natasha]

OMG I had this all through my pregnancy! I HATED IT! ITS SO AWFUL!!! I'd be clawing my body to shreds!! I went the docs and everything they gave me was useless! I just had to live with it till I booked in for my c section!! :hugs: for you hun. sorry i couldn't be more help!

[Sabby]

OMG I didn't realised that this could be a condition as mentioned by others....

I was just going to suggest that you moisturise especially the affected area. They said sorbolene is the best lotion to use. However I've always used cocoa butter... I've always apply body lotion all over my body as soon as I get out of the shower since I was a teenager.

Hope that helps...

[Tulp]

I just had the itching thing start on me a couple of weeks ago. First I wrote it off to belly stretching and stuff. Then it started to spread to my arms and back and I decided to go see my GP and it turns out, it's a case of eczema. She prescribed a cream and recommended lots and lots of mosturising with sorbolene.

It's all better now. No more itch.

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

no creams work for me itching comes from inside! so they have given me phenergan 10mg which I take 2 at night to ease the itching...and helps me sleep to as is a drowsy antihistamine...apparetnly perfectly okay for short periods with bump...all my liver testing came back ok - and unfortunately they say just one of those things...but if you worried (I was as couldnt stop itching everywhere in ears even!) ring your midwife/doctor and they will monitor baby and do tests.