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1095404 tn?1333992839

itchy skin in pregnancy?

Hey guys another question for you! Anyone else experienced itchy skin in pregnancy?

Im 18 weeks and its driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am 18 weeks and so itchy behind my knees, breasts, and underarms mostly but a little bit all over too is this normal?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 18 weeks and so itchy behind my knees, breasts, and underarms mostly but a little bit all over too is this normal?
Helpful - 0
690039 tn?1277472422
I remember having the same sensation, under my bra, around my breasts and on the top of my stomach, within a week or so it was migrating basically, to my hips and legs and there it stayed until I delivered.  I was HORRIBLE.  i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.  

I had noticed that my feet had been itching for a few evenings the week before this started but it wasn't too bothersome (i would drag my feet on the carpet, lol) and had dismissed it as just a quirk, until the specialist asked me about my feet itching.  I didn't relate the two at all, until he explained how icp typically presents and progresses.

just remember the more you scratch the itch, the more likely you are to excoriate your skin.  excoriations can at first glance appear to be a rash, so it can be misleading to a practitioner.  excessive scratching can cause redness, swelling, bumps, broken blood vessels beneath the skin, and eventually broken skin.  if you feel the need to itch, try to use a soft cloth in place of your fingers/fingernails.  i learned to keep a washrag with me and it worked well to keep me from scratching my skin off (which i did a LOT of before i came up with the rag).

hang in there!  and let us know how it goes.

Helpful - 0
1095404 tn?1333992839
Hey guys thanks so much for all your replies I was starting to think I was some sort of freak lol... The itching is mainly around my boobs esp under the bra and my tummy but mainly my boobs! Its felt a bit better today!

There is no apparent rash or bumps etc its just itchy, maybe it is my skin stretching! Ive got an appointment with my Consultant tomorrow so I'll ask her about it and she what she thinks!

If anyone has experienced it let me know :-) xx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i had this problem through out one of my pregnancys which was classed an a allergy to pregnancy.it continued even after birth because i breast feed, but the day i stopped the itching went.
in another pregnancy i was given a liver test which can also cause itching.
Helpful - 0
690039 tn?1277472422
No, honey, being itchy all the time is NOT normal in pregnancy, at all.  Itching *without* a rash, especially in the third trimester, should raise red flags for your doctor--but if he or she is like most OBs, then he/she hears about it from patients sometimes but has no explanation and so just reassures you.  Have you noticed certain times of day when the itching is worse?  Certain activities that seem to exacerbate it?  Where do you itch the most?  

Unfortunately, most OB/GYNs are severely underinformed about ICP.  Even many high risk doctors do not fully understand the disease and what can happen both with and without proper management.  This leads to many missed diagnoses, and though it is not common, in some instances this can result in tragedy without any answers or explanation.  I cannot stress this enough---if you have moderate to severe unexplained itching that does not go away, DO NOT IGNORE IT.  ICP is associated with much higher risk of adverse events up to and including IUFD and the further along you are, the greater the risk.  

Talk to your doctor about your concerns and if he/she does not think it's necessary to rule out ICP, then find another doctor or insist on a high-risk referral for rule out, at the very least.

If any of you want to know more about ICP, just ask---I'm happy to share everything I know.  I've spent 2 years studying this condition--and I believe it is grossly under-reported (especially in the U.S.).  I believe this is due to ignorance.  Information is power.  

Trust your instincts.  There has to be a reason for the itching.  You know when it's stretching skin and when something else must be going on.  If you feel like something else must be going on, don't ignore it----and don't let your doctor ignore it either.  I'm not saying every itch is ICP.  But worrisome itching deserves a closer look.  Your baby deserves the extra effort.  Ask your doctor for a Bile Acid Test.
Helpful - 0
478429 tn?1265244387
I had the same thing when I was pregnant with DS - it started early too! It was horrible! It's not like it itches just in spots where the skin is stretching either - it was everywhere! There was no rash, no spots, no bumps no nothing! When I had an appt. with my OB he prescribed me some sort of med that stopped the itching - oh that was a lifesaver! Hope it's just something odd that happens in pregnancy and you can take the RX for it!
Helpful - 0
1409487 tn?1281477234
I'm 37 weeks pregnant and i'm always itchy! I don't have a rash i'm just itchy. My doctor said that it's normal and to just keep an eye out for any type of rash!
Helpful - 0
689528 tn?1364135841
I was going to ask the same thing....how itchy are you? I've had a few times where I've been really itchy beside my belly button....I know skin stretching can be itchy and if you keep it nice and lotioned up then it really helps...those few days I had that, I made sure I caked on the lotion and many times a day. But yes, keep an eye out for an actual rash.
Helpful - 0
690039 tn?1277472422
If you are itching during pregnancy without a rash (other than the excoriations that can result from scratching), it could be ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy).  I had it with my daughter.  It is potentially very dangerous and should be taken very seriously.  It does not typically set in quite as early as you describe, but it is not unheard of either.  Could you describe in a bit more detail?
Helpful - 0
187316 tn?1386356682
It could be heat rash. Best thing to do is contact your doctor and see what they think. In the 3rd trimester you can develop this horrible rash called PUPPP but it doesn't normally happen before the 3rd trimester.
Helpful - 0
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