12 weeks pregnant with possible PUPPPS or an allergic reaction to this pregnancy??

[Shanti]

I'm only 12 weeks pregnant but for the last 2 weeks have suffered a terribly red, swollen itchy rash on both my upper legs. It has now spread to my under arms and sometimes on my lower back too. I can be itchy in any part of my body not necessarily where the rash is. It is NOT on my tummy unlike the PUPPPS rash tends to be..... do you think this sounds like PUPPPS or an allergy to the pregnancy somehow??? The rash looks very much like puppps and I had it with my 1st pregnancy but in the last few weeks. (HELL!).

I saw a Dr/dermatologist yesterday who has prescribed me with a steroid cream (Celestone M) which I am to use very sparingly (category A). But so far haven't really seen any improvement but it hasn't quite been 24hrs yet either. I am also smothering on Calamine lotion. I am avoiding warm/hot showers as they aggravate it and make me itch, and I have been advised to avoid swimming pools incase the chlorine sets it off? Clothes seem to bother it too.

Has anyone heard of some women having rashes early on in pregnancy like this as they were having a BOY and were allergic to the testosterone the baby was producing??? I read two articles with two different women who had this similar rash, thinking I may be unlucky like them and this could be what it is????

I'm miserable that I am only 12 weeks pregnant (still suffering MS) and dealing with this stupid rash and itchiness when I should be looking forward to approaching the best part of the pregnancy soon (2nd tri)......

My next step is to see a naturopath and also my acupuncturist.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[nothing2lose]

A woman I work with has just been hospitalised for the same thing. She is 15 weeks. Not sure what her diagnosis is yet.

[Shanti]

How bad is the rash? Is it all over her body or just on her legs and arms and other small areas like mine? is it on her tummy? Mine isnt. Please keep me informed as to what her diagnosis is, I am needing answers.

[nothing2lose]

How bad is the rash? Is it all over her body or just on her legs and arms and other small areas like mine? is it on her tummy? Mine isnt. Please keep me informed as to what her diagnosis is, I am needing answers.

Not sure about location as I didn't see her in the days leading up to hospitalisation. I should know more on Monday.

[Shanti]

Thanks. I'm very interested to hear. I nearly admitted myself to hospital on Thursday actually, wondering if they should be doing BT's for me.

[*beannaithe*]

Not so much early on in pregnancy but from about 26 weeks, I was HORRIBLY itchy all over. It wasn't PUPPS and my liver function tests were always fine right through but I was SO DAMN ITCHY. My OB wasn't particularly worried about it because my bloods were always fine but she prescribed menthol in hydrocortisone cream which I used when I was desperate. The menthol felt great. I would definitely ask for some bloods to at least put your mind at rest.

[LionsandBears]

I get urticaria in pregnancy. It isnt PUPPS, it's just extremely irritating.

Things that worked for me:
* cool/lukewarm showers
*spraying my skin with Dr Wheatgrass spray
* Wiping down with diluted apple cider vinegar (though the wheatgrass was better)
*moisturising with coconut oil
*trying not to scratch
*wearing natural fibres (though not scratchy wool clothes)

My liver function tests were all good.

[*beannaithe*]

Oh yeah, I usually live in merino but couldn't bear the scratchiness of it

[Shanti]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
I went to the ER today as I couldn't stand it anymore and I was miserable and had a bad nights sleep from the itching and burning. Didn't wait long, Dr saw me and has prescribed me category A antihistamine and also a steroid which I am to only take for 3 days. I'm not happy that I have to take this but I don't feel I have a choice as I have been really suffering for nearly a week!!!!!
Also bought aloe vera soothing cooling gel, Aveena moisturiser with a cooling effect lotion, and a pine tarsol soap bar that i just showered with and it felt AMAZING. I am feeling quite good at the moment, bit of relief. For now.....
Dr also doesn't think it's puppps and he thinks its some sort of allergy but not a food allergy. Had 4 opinions and they all believe it's not a food related allergy. So WHAT IS IT??????

Lions - did you take any oral medications? The chemist lady told me I could take phernergan but I thought that was category B or C and not safe.

[*beannaithe*]

My GP prescribed histafen syrup which is pg safe. It makes you a bit drowsy which may or may not be a good thing

[Beautiful Disaster]

My gp gave me polaramine. Worked wonders.

[Mum2SweetCs]

Gp also prescribed me polaromine which i took when things got desperate.

I was diagnosed with PUPPPS

My sister also had severe itchy all over her body when she was pregnant and it started to blister from her scratching. She went to see a few GPs and they all said it was an allergy and not PUPPPs

She swears she had not changed any eating habits or detergent or anything and all bloods came back normal too.

Sorry wasnt much help hun but hoping you will get to the bottom of this oxoxo

[Santosha]

I had severe itchies too, though no rash. I used a menthol-based moisturiser, cool showers and cool cloths (I had damp face washers in the freezer at one point and I had scratch marks all over me from itching in my sleep and gave myself quite a few nasty wounds.

I think mine was a reaction to chlorine, because when I stopped swimming the itching stopped within about 2 weeks. Chlorine is usually not an issue at all, never has been. But that was my best guess as to what was setting it off.

I hope you find the cause, or a safe, reliable treatment. I totally get that itchiness can be torture. xo

[Shanti]

Thanks Mum2sweetCs - I haven't changed anything either, no washing powders, no soaps etc, nothing new!!!!

Santosha - yep only thing I can think of is the chlorine from swimming lessons (its so strong!!!) as I broke out in the rash 2 days later...... nothing else I can possibly think of.

I have NEVER had allergies before. Ever. It's very odd for me and it's my 3rd pregnancy too!!!! No probs with the last 2 pregnancies.

Seeing my Dr today and my acupuncturist hopefully this week too....... she may be able to help.

Drugs seem to be helping (i hate taking them though but had NO choice) and PINE TAR SOAP bar is a LIFESAVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!