Pemphigoid gestationis???????????????????????

Has anybody had this condition in pregnancy!!

Pemphigoid gestationis is a rare pregnancy-associated autoimmune skin disease that is characterised by an itchy rash that develops into blisters. It is most common during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It is also known as herpes gestationis although it has no association with the herpes virus whatsoever.

I have had a rash on me which is getting worse and NO ONE knows what it is!!! I have an autoimmune disease which is treated. Pemphigoid gestationis is an autoimmune skin disease which is found in mid to late pregnancy!! I am 28 weeks this week!! I have been to 2 doctors and i also saw my Dr at the hospital and no one knew what it was. I found this condition on the internet last night and it sound like what i have and is more common in people who already have an autoimmune disease!!

My questions are should i go to the dr and say Do i have this??????

Diagonises is by skin biopsy should i make him do one or just see what he says!!!!

In most cases, pemphigoid gestationis resolves spontaneously within days after delivery so treatment can be tapered off and stopped. Complications are rare but may include:

•Premature delivery
•Transient blistering on the infant that resolves with clearance of maternal antibodies (about 3-4 months)
•Secondary infection, which may leave scarring

These are the complications and the reason why i would really like to know. I have had this rash for 3 weeks and this will be my forth week!! It is getting worse not better!!!!!

Thanks for your help!!!

Hi Lovemykids
I really hope that you don't have Pemphigoid Gestationis as it is the most uncomfortable thing that i have ever experienced. I was diagnosed with Pemphigoid Gestationis at about 32 weeks pregnant with my second child, i had no signs or symptoms with my first pregnancy. At first my Dr thought it was a fungal infection so thats what they treated me for with antifungal creams and when that was not clearing up she sent me to have a skin biopsy done, which confirmed the diagnosis. My PG started around my belly button and gradually spead to most parts of my body, my shins were covered with the rash, my stomach and back were also covered with the welt like spots which seemed to join up within weeks. Apparently it is an even rarer condition to get blisters on the palms of my hands and the soles of your feet which is what happened to me the day i delivered my son. The only thing that seemed to relieve the itching of the rash was to cover myself with wet cloths. I was put on Quarterzone tablets to help try and relieve the itching. While in the hospital it was like i was a guinea pig to the doctors as they were bringing all there students and interns around to look at me, in the end i didnt mind as i figured that because it is such a rare disease i figured that they would probably never see it again.
I to have questions that i am finding it hard to get answers to because noone seems to know alot about it. Positives that i found about it are that i do have a healthy boy and that it does dissapear eventually, mine eased about 2 weeks after the birth of our baby, i can still see the marks around my stomach from where the blisters were and it is 8 1/2 months ago.
I would probably mention to your doctor that you have read about it, and then they can order the biopsy. I hope you find out soon,
Goodluck with the remainder of your pregnancy, Feel free to ask any more questions if you want to
Lauren191

WOW thank you so much for your reply, mine started as a single blister type patch about the size of a ten cent piece on my chest, i then got more and more of then and now i have a massive patch of them on my chest spreading down my breasts, on the inside of my arms, my leg, my back and some just under my tummy!!!! I am going to go to my dr next week and MAKE him do a skin biopsy becasue i would rather eliminate it and be stuck not knowing again!!!! It is not overly itchy just sometime especially when i get hot and first wake up in the morning!! I don't have blisters yet but from what i read you don't have to get blisters!!!
Was your son born early ?? How heavy was he?? I have read that it can affect birth weight and also lead to prem labour!!!!!

Thank you so much for your reply

I had a skin biopsy done yesterday so hopefully find out the results in a few days!!! I even got my first stitch LOL!!!!

Just wondering how your biopsy went, all good i hope. You said that it gets worse when you get hot, i found the same thing, wet towels seemed to relieve the itching for a while for me. I was induced on Alex's due date only because i couldnt stand being so uncomfortable any longer for me labour was only 4 hours from the time i was induced to the time Alex was born, i went 5 days over with Hannah my first child but yet I did not get pemphigoid Gestationis with her. Alex was 8lb 7 and 53cm long, a good size i say. Let me know how you go, Lauren