New to this forum...dealing with skin disorder....

[Sandy]

I've been a SN member since July of this year, and have really had a wonderful pregnancy until just a week ago...

I have Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy, aka PUPPP. This website tells all about it: http://members.optushome.com.au/westhoff/puppp/
My tummy is closest to looking like photo #5, only in a smaller area, and the surrounding skin looks healthier on me. But my legs are worse than any of the pictures at this site. My arms and back are also affected, but the bumps are tiny and not as noticeable (more like chicken pox).

I literally want to tear or scratch my skin off! :( I can't sleep at night, and am miserable all day. I've already seen a Dr., and have an appointment with my own Dr. tomorrow. The meds that the other Dr. gave me really have little effect on relieving my condition. I'm using a cortizosteroid cream, but the way my rash has broken out in just the last 2 days, I could use a whole tube in just 4 days. I'm so worried that it's bad for the baby, too, so I'm frantic in searching for other means to find topical relief.

I've never dealt with anything so horrible in my life, and I just want to scream and cry all the time...it is so depressing and mentally draining to deal with (mostly with not scratching). I can't snuggle with my husband anymore because I get to hot and sticky, and my skin explodes in itches. I look and feel like a leper.

Some positive things I can hang on to are the fact that it doesn't affect the face or head, and rarely palms or soles. Also, it is said to clear up usually within 4-5 days after giving birth, and may not even occur with subsequent pregnancies.

While that is encouraging, it doesn't help a whole lot right now. I wonder if anyone else here has experienced or is experiencing this? For your sakes, I certainly hope not. I've been madly reading up on what other ladies have done to find relief, and what works for some may not work for others. So I'm in the middle of my search for the 'miracle-thing' that helps me.

Anyway, I have yet to read what everyone else is challenged with on this board, but thanks for letting me 'spill it all out' here...hopefully I'll just be hanging around for the next 4 weeks or less (if I don't go overdue...)

[Lizbaby4]

I am sorry that I have not had any experience with what you are going through (although kind of glad I don't), but I can certainly sympathize.

Since you are literally ready to rip your skin off, why don't you talk your doctor into inducing you so that you can deliver earlier? If I were you, I would do everything I could think of to deliver at 37 weeks, instead of waiting.

I hope you find relief soon!


P.S. I have insulin dependant gestational diabetes, and a history of preterm labor.

[Margot]

My girlfriend had something like that too when she was pregnant with her twins. She was constantly itchy and it aabout drove her nuts!! It had something to do with her liver not processing or stuff was building up in her liver her Doctor said. She went thru so much Aveeno oatmeal products that the company sent her a bunch of freebies! Sorry I don't know what the name is for what she had but you may want to ask your doctor if your liver is doing the wild thing.
Instead of buying the Aveeno products which are very expensive...get some long cooking oatmeal (not the one minute kind) put the uncooked oatmeal (about 2 cups) in an old sock or nylon and throw it in the tub,,,squeeze it alot to get the oatmeal juice into the water and soak for about 20 minutes...it may help.
Hang in there!!

[Sandy]

Well, my legs are currently broken out worse than my belly ever was, BUT....

My belly has begun to clear!!!! :D And the earliest spots on my upper thighs are just barely starting to clear, too. I still have dark spots on my skin, but they are fading from bright red to purple, and then to light pink (I would assume this is fading...). The itch is still there, but not as intense or easily triggered.

I saw my regular Dr. last Thursday, and he switched antihistamines (I'm on Zyrtec now), and switched creams as well. This cream is still rated 'C' for pregnancy (not the best), but he is a family practicioner, and has used it on children under 1 years of age before. As long as I stick with the correct dosage, the baby will be fine.

I am so encouraged by these results, and am itching a little less each day. I still have trouble staying asleep, but again, not quite as bad as before.

Thanks for letting me share the good news...I hope things are looking up for everyone else in the forum. (((HUGS))) to us all...

[Trixi]

I had this late in my first pregnancy - it started on my stretch marks and was also behind my knees and the tops of my thighs (where my legs start). It was horrible - I had no idea what it was - I figured it was a heat rash and never even spoke w/my OB about it - I used Caladryl lotion and it did help somewhat, although it can be drying...Also, avoided hot showers and patted the skin dry - the less stimulation to the skin the better...

I am sorry you have this - it is awful...I wish you relief...