I'm 32 weeks pregnant, and for the past two days, my legs and forearms (but mostly just my thighs) have been really, really itchy. I don't have a rash, and while I was outside a lot this weekend, I don't see any bites or anything. Any thoughts?
-
How's your iron? Low levels can cause widespread itching.
-
I didn't know that! My iron is really low!@Grace:
-
I was itchy during pregnancy too. Hydrating and moisturizing helped a little but not enough. Hang in there -it went away post baby for me both times
-
It can also be a sign of cholestasis.
-
@AprilFool: Cholestasis was my first thought too.
-
Are you very swollen? With my 1st, I itched tons especially during the third trimester. The nurse said it was caused by my skin stretching with all the swelling I had. I was super swollen in the middle of summer - not fun.
When I googled, choleastis always came up but it wasn't that. Nothing really helped but I moisturized tons.
-
I always itch when pregnant and I read that it can just happen because of the increase blood flow. But I'd mention it to your doctor at your next appointment.
-
@AprilFool: I agree
Call your OBGYN/midwife and ask to be checked for cholestasis. Untreated it can have dire consequences.
-
@Mamasig: I'm not swollen at all, which is actually unusual for me.
@farawayyama: I just called the midwife and left her a message, so hopefully she calls back soon.I don't have any of the other symptoms of cholestasis, but after reading about it, it's definitely better to get checked! We'll see what the midwife says.
Hopefully it's just a blood flow thing- I'm so itchy it's unbearable.
-
@Mrs. Oatmeal: I had PUPPPS in pregnancy, and when it started, there wasn't a rash - it developed over a few days. I hope it's not that, although the "good" news is that it is harmless.
-
@farawayyama: I read about that too! Was it mostly on your arms and legs though? That's where mine is, but When I look up PUPPPS, is says mostly belly?
-
It was belly, arms, legs and back. My legs were pretty hard hit though!
-
@farawayyama: Hmmmm. Sounds awful, but at least it's 'harmless' (and I'm only 7.5 weeks away, I suppose). We will see what they say!
-
@Mrs. Oatmeal: I had cholestasis and not to alarm you but I did have a ton of itching on my forearm and wrists. It's traditionally hands and feet, which i did have, but for some reasons my forearm/wrist area was worse.
It's a simple blood test so I'd definitely push for it. Better safe than sorry.
I ended up being induced a couple days past 37 weeks. -
@Mrs. Oatmeal: I had PUPPS also and it was solely on my arms. I was miserable for 2 weeks and then it eased up. I got the okay from my OB to take benadryl, use sara lotion and I took an oatmeal bath every night to soothe the itching.
-
I had horrible itchiness while pregnant. I developed a rash but doctors didn't know if maybe I just got the rash from scratching too much. Pine tar soap (and Sarna) saved me. Highly recommended.
-
My legs were super itchy while pregnant. For me, it was just a blood flow thing.
-
I had PUPPPS, too. It was so horrible. I also recommend the pine tar soap (its pretty cheap at whole foodfoods ) and the sarna lotion. My rash started on my upper thighs. I also dipped a washcloth in really cold water whenever it was super itchy so that I didn't scratch. It seemed like scratching made it worse.
-
I would be calling my OB immediately and getting checked for choleostasIs!
-
Talked to my midwives, and since I have no other symptoms and everything else looked good at my appt, they gave me a few things to try for the next week. If that doesn't clear it up, they want my bloodwork done to check for cholestasis and things like that.
Hopefully, the herbal remedies I have to try will make a big difference.
-
I have had terrible itching throughout my entire pregnancy (currently 36 weeks). No apparent choleostasis or puppps. Just sensitive skin, and increased blood flow. Tea tree oil lotion and burts bees belly butter (not just on my belly, arms, legs, feet as well) have worked wonders.
-
Bumping to share the solution we found!
My midwives were sure it was just an issue of poor circulation, pregnancy swelling, and things like that. They gave me a recipe for an herbal tea to try to help the itching - I was SUPER skeptical, but I'm on day three of the tea, and its making a huge difference.
1 oz each of dandelion root, burdock root, and Echinacea root (add 1 oz of licorice root only if you don't have any blood pressure issues). Mix these together in a bag or jar, then scoop out 1 oz of the mixture. Steep it in hot water in a 1L mason jar for 4 hours, then strain. Keep the tea in your fridge, and drink 1/2 cup twice a day.
I have to add honey, because it smells pretty gross and doesn't taste the greatest, but its been REALLY effective!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
22 comments