PUPPP! Worst skin rashes and itchiness in the final month of my pregnancy

Posted on Friday, November 9th, 2007 under Health, Personal, Pregnancy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

By the eighth month of my pregnancy, my skin itchiness seemed to have suppressed quite a lot. Still, there were moments of irritation and itchiness but it was mild. Easily relieved by my preferred natural remedy mix of tapioca flour and bittergourd juice.

Just when I thought to myself, the worst of my skin ailments were over, nothing could’ve prepared me for the worst itchy skin problem I’ve ever encountered in my entire life. At precisely 34 weeks, a different type of rash started to appear on my thigh and stretch mark area. These rashes, which looks kind of like eczema, are much more severe than the earlier ones and they itch a lot worst. At it’s peak, the rash spread all over my entire left thigh making the skin dry and red. It’s the dreaded condition called “pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy“, in short: PUPPP!

Why did my left thigh suffered most from this rash? All pregnant women should know that it is advisable to sleep on their left side. Because of this, my left thigh rubs against the bed every night and it itches so bad, it feels like you’re being sting and pricked by tiny needles. It was THE worst stretch of sleepness nights ever. Some nights, I cried myself to sleep and felt so miserable I was on the verge of going mental.

Mint calamine and bittergourd juice and tapioca flour combo didn’t help at all. In fact, both of them made my skin even drier. This particular type of rash felt a lot more itchy when the skin is dry. I had to look for something else to provide relief.

As for clothings, I could not wear any pants. Only loose fitting maternity dresses for me. Any materials that comes in contact with my rashes longer than a few minutes will irritate it and make it itch unbearably. Going outdoors in the middle of the day when it is hot and humid is something I avoided like a plaque.

My OB precribed Aqueous cream to apply during day time and Hydrocortisone cream to apply during night time. It did provide moments of itch relief but the rashes doesn’t seem to be improving.

Fortunately, I tried Ego QV Skin Lotion and I was surprised how well it worked to relief itchiness and soothe my rashes. On top of it, I used Ego QV Wash too which is a mild and effective cleansing treatment for dry or sensitive skin. I’m not here to promote the above Ego QV products, but believe it or not, after using them for 2 weeks, my rash was completely gone. I could barely believe it as I’ve been told by my OB that there is no effective cure for PUPPP. It will just go away in time especially after delivery so I had no choice but to bear with it. Give it a try if nothing else works for you.

Sensitive Skin Care Home Remedies writes ...

Worst skin rashes and itchiness in the final month of my pregnancy seems quite interesting – Kasper P.

December 22nd, 2007 at 2:05 pm

Shirley writes ...

Hi,
Thanks for the article. I am experiencing the itchiness problem now. It has been a few days and I agree with you it is maddeningly mental. My doc prescribed me with Hydrocortisone mixed with Daktarin. Although it helps with the itchiness, it doesnt help to control the rash from spreading.

I’m asking hubby to buy Ego QV now. Can’t wait to try it later. Hopefully it also works for me. Can’t wait for this madness to get over!!

July 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 am

Christina writes ...

Shirley,

Itchiness, PUPPP in particular, left a scarred memory of my otherwise relatively trouble-free pregnancy. I still shiver whenever I recall those sleepless nights and I’m still amazed how I got through it. Sheer madness indeed.

PUPPP is still a condition without a specific and effective treatment I’m afraid. Not that I know of. I sincerely hope you find relief with Ego QV.

Christina

July 4th, 2008 at 7:42 am

Aarti writes ...

Try Homoeopathy– Bryonia 30, three times a day. While it did not get rid of my rashes (which I am told will disappear after delivery), at least it has reduced my itchiness. My symptoms are identical to those described above.

September 25th, 2008 at 6:58 am

Taylor Lewis writes ...

cotton maternity dresses are way more comfortable compared to synthetic fabrics.*~*

June 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 am

Jaden Flores writes ...

cotton and natural fiber maternity dresses are still the best so get them and stay away from synthetic fibers.–’

July 25th, 2010 at 11:00 pm

Maternity Clothes Online writes ...

A really helpful post for pregnant mums. Yes, I also had a few patches of eczema during my pregnancy. I used a cream called Diprosone to help with it. The other thing that helps is to wear maternity clothes that keep you as cool as possible and get rid of anything causing you stress during your pregnancy.

June 9th, 2011 at 11:10 pm