Anyone had PUPPP while pregnant?

[DTHY]

PUPPP = Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy

While I was pregnant with my boy I developed this terribly itchy rash on my belly, then within a couple of weeks, the rash spread to my bottoms, arms and legs, but, luckily, not on my face. For about six weeks (from the 28th-34th weeks), I couldn't get one good night sleep and kept woken up by the itch. My doctor gave me some lotion to put on, but it didn't work. Finally, I found that Calomine lotion worked, but I had to put so much on to make the itch go way that the lotion's cooling effect made me shivered! And miraculously, the rash went away on the 34th week!

From what I've read on the web, they say that the cause of PUPPP is not yet known, but it could be caused by the following:

greater than normal weight gain in the 3rd trimester
the male DNA (most PUPPP patients carry boys)
multiple fetuses

Could anyone who has/had PUPPP share your exerience?

 

[Bear Lau]

I had it too. But mine starts at around 15th weeks, I could wake up at the middle of night by the itch. I went to my dermatologist and he prescibe me shower gel and body lotion to use. He told me, some woman will get better after the 3rd trimester, some just has to bear with it through the pregnancy. I'm the latter one, I never could get back on my noraml lotion and shower gel until I gave birth.
Regarding the sex, that's Chinese belief that women carry a boy have "bad" skin during pregnancy but I had a girl. So I don't know !!!!!

 

[DTHY]

Dear Bear Lau,
Thanks for sharing your experience. We are at the moment planning for another pregnancy (2nd). Did you have PUPPP in your first pregnancy or subsequent pregnancy(ies)? I'm just so afraid that it'll happen again...

Did the lotion and shower gel work?

 

[simplydeelytz]

I am 14 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with PUPPP. I am still looking for reliefs to help me sleep at night. This is just so annoying! I am worried that the baby is affected because of my bad moods b/c of this PUPPP. Right now, I am using "Katinko" ointment, it's metyl salicylate, menthol and camphor and it's cooling effect gives me temporary relief but as soon as the cooling effect fades away... the itchiness begins again... it's so awful! Does anybody of you have permanent relief from this? I've heard that Rainier Soapworks from USA works, but I'm here located in Asia and I might have problems ordering the product and it's shipping! Yikes!

 

[DTHY]

Dear simplydeelytz,

My heart goes to you, and I hope the itchiness will go away soon. I agree, I've tried a lot of different remedies when I had PUPPP and nothing would give permanent relief. Try calomine lotion. Perhaps you could go to your dematologist for some prescribed lotions/ointments/soap?

I've used Rainier Soapworks' PUPPP relief soap! It works and it would take the itchiness away for a while, but it would not give you permanent relief. You can order it on the web and they do ship to Asia.

Remember PUPPP itself does not affect the fetus, so it's up to you... keep your spirit up and it might go away anytime...remember, mine only lasted a few weeks!

:bighug

 

[simplydeelytz]

DTHY,

Thanks so much for all the support! I really need all the support I can get coz PUPPP depresses me so much! I will ask my OB to refer me to a dermatologist that can help me get some Calomine lotion! Thanks again!!! will update about that soon! thanks again!

:thanks

 

[DTHY]

Not sure about the Philippines, but in HK Calamine lotion is not a prescription drug, so we can get it at any local drug store. Here is a link to more info on Calamine lotion:

http://www2.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/showpreparation.asp?id=2970

(Sorry, I've been spelling it wrong...its Calamine, not Calomine...) )

 

[Bear Lau]

DTHY,

Both of them works very good for me.

It was my first pregnancy and my dermatologist told me I will possibly have it if I got pregnant again, he reassure me that it is nothing to be worry since I already know how to due with it.

So I guess we just have to due with it. I'm trying the second one now, will let you the result..

 

[simplydeelytz]

DTHY,

Thanks for the information. I will consult my doctor if it's safe for me and the baby and I will surely try Calamine lotion. I just hope that like in your place, it can also be bought here over the counter. I haven't slept last night and I took a day off from work again b/c of lack of sleep but I can't sleep right now b/c of the itchiness again. Whenever I think about how long I will endure this dilemma it just makes me cry and depressed. I feel so awful. I just put some ice pack over my skin just to relieve a lil itchiness that's why I was able to use the computer now. I just hope I can find a remedy that will give me relief longer than what I am using right now.

BTW, does PUPPP really strike mostly in the evening? I just noticed that my skin and the papules are more itchy in the evening than in the morning.

Bear Lau,

What does both worked for you? The Rainier Soapworks PUPPP relief and the Calamine lotion? If you tried Rainier's soap and cream for PUPPP does it really works? I am planning to order and try it soon, if Calamine doesn't work for me. I heard from my OB and some other ladies who had PUPPP that most likely you will not have PUPPP on your subsequent pregnancies. Normally it occurs during and only in your first pregnancy but of course there are some/few who experience PUPPP even in their subsequent pregnancies but I heard it's rare. Around 1% possibility, I think. I just hope you will never go through this again, this is such a tiresome and depressing experience. Good luck!

 

[DTHY]

simplydeelytz: I think Calamine lotion gave a longer relief (~2 hrs) than the PUPPP soap. The PUPPP soap gives a slight cooling sensation when you are using it and you'll feel refreshed and crisped after. Also remember to take cool/warm showers instead of hot showers. The hot water would just escalate the itchiness.

I think the itchiness is worse during the night because when you are out and about during the day, your mind is mostly off from thinking about it. At night, you tend to feel it more because you are relaxed and more focused on yourself...

Bear Lau: I hope it doesn't happen again! We are planning for No. 2 as well! )