So itchy I could claw my skin off.

[ChrissyR85]

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone else has suffered extreme itching during their pregnancy? I’m currently 13+2 and I can’t stop itching my skin, my arms, chest, back, sometimes my face. I have been in contact with my midwife who suggested I try calamine cream, which I have, it’s only a short term relief. I’ve also just had my flu jag on Friday, so I did think it could be a slight reaction to that. so currently waiting in the doctor calling me back to see if I can he can prescribe an antihistamine that’s safe for me to take. I’m really just curious to see if anyone else has had this symptom?

[Seb9]

Have you been tested for intrahepatic cholestasis as that causes itching in pregnancy and needs quite Jurgen treatment.

I took Loratadine antihistamine for hay-fever when I was pregnant and this is an antihistamines that's recommended for pregnant woman.

[ChrissyR85 in reply to Seb9]

Not yet, the doctor on the phone did mention this. I did think the signs for this were itchy hands and feet and later stages of pregnancy. I’m still waiting on him phoning back, Cos if what’s going on just now it’s hard to get in to see the gp xxx

[Bluelady-sing]

Need to have your liver checked

[Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

Do you have a rash as well or just itchy? I got PUPPs which is incredibly itchy but harmless I got it later in pregnancy but if you dont have a rash it's not this.

[SRA8]

I did have obstetric cholestasis. I didnt have itchy in my hands or feet but all over my belly. I couldn't bare anything to touch it. It normally happens a bit later in pregnancy but never say never. I took piriton for the part of the treatment.

[ChrissyR85 in reply to SRA8]

Yeah so he did mention this yesterday when he first called me back, and I am aware that it’s normally itching in hands and feet and later in pregnancy, but your right, you never know. So he wanted pictures sent through email to decide whether or not he wanted to see me first. I’m just frustrated Cos it’s been another horrible day of itching my skin and I’m no further forward to a conclusion xx

[PixieB26]

Just an alternative thought. You haven’t changed your body wash or moisturiser? I used a natural body wash last year and I itched so badly that I did claw at my skin and had scratches and bleeding all over me it was so bad, I tested it a second time and same thing happened.

[ChrissyR85 in reply to PixieB26]

Hey PixieB26 I haven’t changed a thing, I do have sensitive skin at the best of times so I always use Sanex, Unscented and Unperfumed things for my skin and I’ve never changed my soap powder xx

[Seb9 in reply to ChrissyR85]

I use the Sanex atopic care for my skin as I have sensitive skin and its really helped, its got oils in it for moisturising skin, perhaps that might relieve the itching.

[ChrissyR85 in reply to Seb9]

Thanks Seb9 I will try this too xx

[PixieB26]

Oh what a shame it wasn’t something simple like that!!

[TM2016]

I had itchiness since June and the gps midwife kept telling me it could be the skin stretching or sometimes its just in my mind. Everytime i had my appointment i would tell her and she said to buy e45 aveeno etc off counter by myself. In October I told her i cant bear this itchiness then she happened to refer me to the doctor at the gp itself who offered me liver test. It came out normal but the itching was becoming worse. I was then offered bile acid tests and my bile came out very high and was diagnosed with cholestasis at 34 weeks pregnancy. They gave me antihistamines and now monitor my bloods biles weekly. Every day i keep itching my palm sole who tummy its really unbearable, please speak to your gp doctor if the gp midwife isn't doing anything.

[ChrissyR85 in reply to TM2016]

Hey TM2016 I eventually got yesterday to the doctor, she told me it’s just my hormones and skin stretching, she gave me something for it. Xxx

[TM2016 in reply to ChrissyR85]

Great but if at later stage it does come again, do speak to the gp as they can monitor the bile acid from the beginning instead of waiting last stage of pregnancy xx take care

[Hidden]

Perhaps try Aveeno cream as a moisturiser, or an emollient cream like zerobase or cetraben?