Urticaria (hives) & pregnancy

[mrspotter]

I am 12 weeks pregnant and for the last couple of days have had hives (cold urticaria I think it is called). I recognise it because the rash and feeling is exactly as it was when I was started taking the contraceptive pill twelve years ago. I stopped taking the pill once I'd realised it was this that was causing the hives all over my body. Now I am concerned that my pregnancy hives is caused by one of the natural hormones oestrogen or progesterone as the levels of these increase during pregnancy I have been told. I think these hormones are also in the contraceptive pill.

Does anyone have any experience of this? I am concerned it will get worse as the hormone levels increase. Currently it is only on my hands but when I developed it before it spread all over my body particularly my thighs but also my face and chest and my hands and feet were swollen and numb.

Any help or advice would be appreciated

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

The fact that you have had allergies before and that your mom had them too when she was pregnant is significant. It would be best if you dont forget to tell your doctor about this on your visit.

Keep us posted on your health and let us know if you have any other queries.

Regards.

[shenette]

hello..

i went to my OBG today & told her abt my complains,she checked & she prescribe me Virlix just for itchiness as she said this is urticaria.I told her i am hesitant in taking oral medicine as im afraid it might affect my baby but she said it's okay.do u think its is safe?I know my doctor will not give me anything that could harm me & my baby but just being cusious abt it.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

An OBG specialist of all the doctors on board would take special care in prescribing medication which are safe during pregnancy and cause no untoward effects on the baby.

Virlix is cetrizine and you can take it for your symptoms. You should in addition, follow up with your doctor regularly and get all routine investigations done as and when required.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[shenette]

thank you for prompt reply.its good t& a relief to know that it is okay.My OBG told me to follow up with her anytime & told me to take only when itching is too much.Im going to take it but i will not apply my topical creams so as to know if it has effect on my itching.thank you so much.i will keep you posted.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Glad the post was of help to you.

Let us know if you have any doubts and also keep us posted about how you are doing.

Best regards.

[mrspotter]

Hi

I don't have a history of allergy reactions only the contraceptive pill does this to me! I told my midwife and she said it made sense as the hormones (oestrogen or progesterone) are in the pill and are now at higher levels in my body. I have read about a condition called PUPPP (Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy) that is more common in the third trimester of pregnancy but not this early (I am now 16.5 weeks and have had since 11 weeks).

I would like to ask other women with this problem if they took the contraceptive pill before pregnancy as this was the only time that I had this problem previously?

Unfortunately from reading articles in medical journals I don't think there is much we can do but apply creams and lotions and staying warm and applying layers of clothes (it gets worse in the cold I find). I persoanlly don't want to take any allergy pills as they could harm the baby.