What is this Itchy Rash?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I have had a itchy rash on my stomach, legs, elbows and buttocks for the last week and a half. I am 36 weeks pregnant. I have tried calamine lotion, 1% hydrocortisone cream and the benadryl anti itch cream. They all take away the itch for a little while. What can I do for a little longer relief, and also what could this be?
ANSWER
It sounds like a common problem called PUPPS which will go away after delivery. It is more common in women with stretch marks, but other women have it, too. Or it may be cholestasis, also a common problem. These are definitely annoying conditions, but they are not medically dangerous. Hang in there, this too shall pass!
-- Cynthia, CNM
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
