Itching, Itching, ITCHING!

[Debra_Maine]

Okay girls, I'm freaking out a little. I have had periodic mild itching on my arms and legs. Legs after getting out of the shower and arms at night. Legs every time I get out of the shower, arms once in a while. Last night I had an attack of itching on my arms that prevented me for one hour from going to sleep. I got up and looked on the internet and found that it could be my liver disfunctioning causing bile salts to accumulate under the skin causing itching. It typically happens in the hands and feet and can be accompanied by jaundice (all of which I don't have) but it can cause stillbirth and now I'm worried. I have a call in to my dr. but he is in delivery right now and I have to wait till the nurse calls me back. She thinks he'll want me to have the blood test done that tests liver function, but has to wait for him to tell her to send the request to the lab. My question to you guys is did any of you have itching like this other than on your belly? Am I making myself crazy for nothing? Thanks.
Debra

[BiggerPants]

I had unbelievable itching accompanied by an ugly rash at around 4 months.  It lasted for a week and was all over my thighs.  And yes, it did seem to come on after I showered and tried to go to bed, probably because that's when my skin was really dry.  I tried cortisone cream which did not work, but that vitamin e spray that they make for stretch marks seemed to work.  At any rate, it went away 2 days after I started spraying that on while I was still damp.  I really think mine was caused by dry skin- it was literally flaking off my arms and legs.  Hope all is well with you!

[cinnamonheart]

Hey just wondering do you notice yellowing of your skin?  My sister who is now gd  and has to take insulin, said her skin was yellowing.... Just wondered  since you mentioned the liver if maybe it was related somehow to your diabetes? Hope you get your results soon so you know and dont have to worry

[Debra_Maine]

I got the results and all is normal with my liver. Just annoying pregnancy itching is what the nurse said. Nothing that will harm the baby! Yeah!!

[shubunkin]

glad all is fine....... by the way....you sound like me looking up stuff on the internet....... just watch out because you can drive yourself crazy doing that.... i have diagnosed myself with so many things its not even funny. but it is always better to err on the side of caution when you are pregnant.

[cinnamonheart]

It must be a woman thing...Me too
My dh says stop Im making my own diseases.

[jennimom]

I am itchy a lot and have had very dry skin during this pg.  Belly, arms, etc.  I think some extent of dry itchy skin can be normal result of pg.   Hope all is well.  Jenni

[tresmathews]

There is something called PUPPS that could be causing it also.

A common rash during pregnancy is Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy.  This is a most unpleasant rash with an incredible itch that's only cure is delivery of the placenta.  Although this is most common in first pregnancies, it has been known to occur in subsequent pregnancies.  This problem affects one in about 160 to 200 pregnancies.
The onset of this rash is usually the third trimester but it has been known to appear in the early post partum period.  The rash starts on the abdomen and then spreads to the extremities.  It is an unbearably itchy rash.  Happily the rash doesn't normally spread to the face.  After delivery of the baby, the rash and the itch rapidly disappear

Treatment of the rash is at best a mask.  Benadryl is a safe and semi effective way of controlling the itch as well as a few prescribed topical ointments.  As well, cold compresses, oatmeal baths help.  Prednisone  is not always prescribed unless the itching is unbearable.

This is not a pleasant situation to have to face during pregnancy, but there are no known ill effects on the baby.  Some doctors believe this to be an allergic reaction to the placenta but they also have noted a relationship to maternal weight gain, newborn birth weight and the incidence of twins

[Debra_Maine]

Thanks for your input. I woke up this morning with red bumps on my arms but wasn't sure if it was a rash or the result of my immense scratching last night. I gave blood this morning to check my liver functions. Doc said itching is normal but to err on the side of caution he wanted the blood drawn. They ordered it STAT, so I should know by this afternoon. I'll let you guys know. I hope it's nothing serious. Regardless though, ITCHING SUCKS!!!!

[Myah's Mom]

Hi-glad to hear it wasn't serious. Have you tried having a bath in Aveeno oatmeal bath? Worked for me on #1-I was incredibly itching also. My itching was mostly on my belly, and for that, the thick body butters felt nice and seemed to ease the itch.
Wishing you itch-free days!

[butterflybehindu]

hey all-
i was talking to my mom about the itching and she said she itched soooo bad, with two of her 5 children. she said it is a sign that the child will come out with a head full of beautiful hair. Just thought I would let you guys know this, dont know if it helps at all but still i thought it was cute to share.
:)