Between working in an OB/GYN office and all of my pregnant friends I have seen this happen quite often. A rash develops and there isn’t anything that will stop it….not applying lotions or taking antihistamines. Now I always had itchy skin during pregnancy, but it didn’t ever actually develop into a rash. There are several things that this rash could be.
Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP) – PUPPPs occurs in 1 in 160-240 first pregnancies and more often in multiple births. The symptoms begin during the third trimester and include red, bumpy patches in and around stretch marks on the abdomin. The patches may spread to the legs, bottom and arms, although personally I have seen someone that was covered all over their chest as well. Although they have no found the cause of PUPPPs, it is not harmful to you or the baby. The doctor or midwife may prescribe an ointment to assist with the itching and an antihistamine. The good news is the rash will go away within a few days of delivery, yet another thing to look forward to!
Prurigo of Pregnancy – This is less common than PUPPPs and affects between 1 in 300-400 women. The symptoms are little red bumps, that look much like bug bites. It normally begins during the third trimester and can last for up to three months after delivery. Prurigo of Pregnancy is caused by abnormal blood hormone levels.
Pemphigoid Gestationis – Also known as herpes gestationis, begins as small red bumps and spreads to large blistering lesions. It is much more rare and only affects 1 in 7,000 – 50,000 pregnant women. This condition has been linked to preterm labor and fetal growth problems. Unlike the other conditions listed, Pemphigoid Gestationis normally reoccurs in subsequent pregnancies and becomes more severe.
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy – Only affecting 1 in 1,000 pregnant women, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy is the most severe type of rash because it is related to problems with the liver. This condition is caused by hormones affecting the gallbladder, which slows or stops the flow of bile. The symptoms include itching of the hands and feet, dark urine, light-colored bowels and fatigue. If you have these symptoms it is important to discuss them with your doctor or midwife to have the proper blood tests done. The condition is linked to stillbirth, premature labor, fetal distress, and maternal and fetal hemorrhaging.
Most of the rashes are treated with an antihistamine and/or ointment to assist with the itching, although there are no actual cures for the rash. If you notice any abnormal itching or redness, contact your doctor or midwife right away to have it assessed. A rash could be nothing more than an allergic reaction to a detergent or could be as severe as Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
