What Causes Severe Itching On The Body During Pregnancy?
Symptomatic treatment. Requires monitoring of serum bile acid levels
Detailed Answer:
Hello. thank you for writing to us.
I am asr. kakkar (Dermatologist and Venerelogist). I have noted your concern and I have viewed the attachment.
She has a raised alkaline phosphatase levels (ALP) and raised alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT). Unexplained pruritus in third trimester along with elevated LFTs (particularly ALT and bile acid levels) is suggestive of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).
She should be monitored with serum bile acid levels (BA) every 1-2 weeks and if raised above 10 micromol/ litres that would confirm ICP and then she should be treated with udiliv (ursodeoxycholic acid). This is the most specific treatment of ICP.
In the meantime she may be given oral antihistamine which is safe in pregnancy e.g chlorpheniramine (tab. cpm 4mg, thrice daily) for symptomatic relief from itching. Topically she may use a moisturizer to calm itching.
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