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Suggest Remedy For Belly Itchiness On 37th Week Of Pregnancy
Question: Hi dr,
My wife is 37 wks pregnant and her belly itches maximum., it's simply reached the frustrated unbearable stage where she can't control and scratches it till the skin bleed.
We tried bio oil and some other expensive cream but none of it helps.
Could u recommend me some other remedies?
Can I use calamine lotion for chicken pox? Will it dry the skin further?
Warm water doesn't help too.
Thks in advance
My wife is 37 wks pregnant and her belly itches maximum., it's simply reached the frustrated unbearable stage where she can't control and scratches it till the skin bleed.
We tried bio oil and some other expensive cream but none of it helps.
Could u recommend me some other remedies?
Can I use calamine lotion for chicken pox? Will it dry the skin further?
Warm water doesn't help too.
Thks in advance
Brief Answer:
Kindly elaborate the query.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the unbearable itching over belly in your wife. In view to diagnose the exact entity and help you best I request you to kindly elaborate your concern:
- Since how long your wife has this unbearable itching. Is it started just recently at 37th week or anytime before that.
- Are there any eruptions or rash over the abdomen along with itching.
- For whom you want to use calamine lotion to dry the skin for chicken pox. Is it in your wife or yourself. In any case since how long you / your wife suffered from chicken pox. Is your wife vaccinated for chicken pox.
Hope to hear soon from your side.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Kindly elaborate the query.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the unbearable itching over belly in your wife. In view to diagnose the exact entity and help you best I request you to kindly elaborate your concern:
- Since how long your wife has this unbearable itching. Is it started just recently at 37th week or anytime before that.
- Are there any eruptions or rash over the abdomen along with itching.
- For whom you want to use calamine lotion to dry the skin for chicken pox. Is it in your wife or yourself. In any case since how long you / your wife suffered from chicken pox. Is your wife vaccinated for chicken pox.
Hope to hear soon from your side.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear dr,
My wife's is currently 37 weeks pregnant and the itch started at around week 30. It itches more as the pregnancy grows. We say our Gynae and was told that it was due to the belly stretching. Stretch marks were developing and were very red. Along with little red dots that looks like eruptions rashes.
I was asking if calamine lotion (those used for chicken pox treatment ) can be used ? Out of curiosity as some forums suggested using it.
What are some safe methods or remedies without side effect on pregnancy, to reduce the itchness and reding ?
My wife's is currently 37 weeks pregnant and the itch started at around week 30. It itches more as the pregnancy grows. We say our Gynae and was told that it was due to the belly stretching. Stretch marks were developing and were very red. Along with little red dots that looks like eruptions rashes.
I was asking if calamine lotion (those used for chicken pox treatment ) can be used ? Out of curiosity as some forums suggested using it.
What are some safe methods or remedies without side effect on pregnancy, to reduce the itchness and reding ?
Brief Answer:
“Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy”
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome again and thanks for posting the details so swiftly.
First of all let me give both of you my best wishes for the “Parenthood” in next few weeks. Also I am quite relieved to know that there is no issue of chicken pox anywhere and you just quoted calamine lotion for its usage only and not for chicken pox. As chicken pox exposure by any means in pregnancy is not good, so I became extra concerned in your case. Now as it is not, so good news for all of us!!!
After analyzing the complete query with best clinical acumen I can make out that the problem in your wife is “Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy” also known as “Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy”.
To tell you simply and medically about this condition: It is considered to be a condition related to abnormal weight gains in the mother. As the weight gain occurs in third trimester so it can occur any time after 28 weeks. It occurs most commonly in first pregnancy because of excessive abdominal distension which acts as a trigger for the skin changes. So as per my clinical experience it must be your first baby.
There is intense itching as complained by the patient and increases day by day due to increase in weight.
As I said that it occurs due to weight gain in pregnancy and due to stretching of the skin so is a normal physiological process. It remains till the delivery of the baby. As soon as there is delivery the stretching immediately gets relived and so is the distension and therefore the itching too.
As it is 37th weeks so it is on its peak. First and foremost explain your wife this whole series of process as given above. Most women are relieved after knowing that the condition is not serious, that all should be well with them and their baby and that the rash will disappear at or soon after childbirth.
For the further betterment kindly follow the suggestion below:
- Keep herself away from hot and humid climate.
- Let her wear lose cotton clothes to be changed two times a day. Do not wear any synthetic or tight garments.
- Do cold compression over the affected area.
-Don't try to scratch or rub the area as can lead to further aggravation of the problem.
I suggest my patients to apply a topical emollients or bland moisturizer for atleast 10-15 times a day. Apply it after mild cold compression.
Calamine lotion would not help much as it dries the skin so can cause further aggravation. If a calamine lotion mixed with moisturizer is used then can of bit help. Still if the itching is not reduced then I prefer to give Loratadine (Claritin) for one to two times a day. This is antihistamine tablet which is safest in pregnancy.
Again I reassure you and your wife that this is very much common condition and quite often seen during this time of pregnancy. So do not worry and follow the instructions as above.
I hope these informations will help you. I will be glad to answer any further queries.
My all best wishes for your healthy baby...all the best!!!
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
“Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy”
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome again and thanks for posting the details so swiftly.
First of all let me give both of you my best wishes for the “Parenthood” in next few weeks. Also I am quite relieved to know that there is no issue of chicken pox anywhere and you just quoted calamine lotion for its usage only and not for chicken pox. As chicken pox exposure by any means in pregnancy is not good, so I became extra concerned in your case. Now as it is not, so good news for all of us!!!
After analyzing the complete query with best clinical acumen I can make out that the problem in your wife is “Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy” also known as “Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy”.
To tell you simply and medically about this condition: It is considered to be a condition related to abnormal weight gains in the mother. As the weight gain occurs in third trimester so it can occur any time after 28 weeks. It occurs most commonly in first pregnancy because of excessive abdominal distension which acts as a trigger for the skin changes. So as per my clinical experience it must be your first baby.
There is intense itching as complained by the patient and increases day by day due to increase in weight.
As I said that it occurs due to weight gain in pregnancy and due to stretching of the skin so is a normal physiological process. It remains till the delivery of the baby. As soon as there is delivery the stretching immediately gets relived and so is the distension and therefore the itching too.
As it is 37th weeks so it is on its peak. First and foremost explain your wife this whole series of process as given above. Most women are relieved after knowing that the condition is not serious, that all should be well with them and their baby and that the rash will disappear at or soon after childbirth.
For the further betterment kindly follow the suggestion below:
- Keep herself away from hot and humid climate.
- Let her wear lose cotton clothes to be changed two times a day. Do not wear any synthetic or tight garments.
- Do cold compression over the affected area.
-Don't try to scratch or rub the area as can lead to further aggravation of the problem.
I suggest my patients to apply a topical emollients or bland moisturizer for atleast 10-15 times a day. Apply it after mild cold compression.
Calamine lotion would not help much as it dries the skin so can cause further aggravation. If a calamine lotion mixed with moisturizer is used then can of bit help. Still if the itching is not reduced then I prefer to give Loratadine (Claritin) for one to two times a day. This is antihistamine tablet which is safest in pregnancy.
Again I reassure you and your wife that this is very much common condition and quite often seen during this time of pregnancy. So do not worry and follow the instructions as above.
I hope these informations will help you. I will be glad to answer any further queries.
My all best wishes for your healthy baby...all the best!!!
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr XXXXXXX
I would like to thank you for your professionalism and detailed advice as they all so accurate and useful. I will definitely act to your advice and I'm sure there will be improvement:)
Thank you for your well wishes and I'm happy that healthcaremagic had a team of great and caring doctors like u:)
I would like to thank you for your professionalism and detailed advice as they all so accurate and useful. I will definitely act to your advice and I'm sure there will be improvement:)
Thank you for your well wishes and I'm happy that healthcaremagic had a team of great and caring doctors like u:)
Brief Answer:
My all best wishes for a healthy baby.
Detailed Answer:
Dear young buddy,
Welcome again to the forum and thanks for your swift response.
I am really happy to know that you are quite relaxed after knowing all the facts and details regarding your wife's simple condition.
I reassure you fully that your wife will be completely alright after delivery. Just reassure her also as is quite important to reassure and guide her. Prompt her best and tell her that it is matter of just few only.
"My all best wishes for a healthy baby"
I will be glad to guide you any further or if not then can close the discussion and rate the answer.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
My all best wishes for a healthy baby.
Detailed Answer:
Dear young buddy,
Welcome again to the forum and thanks for your swift response.
I am really happy to know that you are quite relaxed after knowing all the facts and details regarding your wife's simple condition.
I reassure you fully that your wife will be completely alright after delivery. Just reassure her also as is quite important to reassure and guide her. Prompt her best and tell her that it is matter of just few only.
"My all best wishes for a healthy baby"
I will be glad to guide you any further or if not then can close the discussion and rate the answer.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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