Dear Neetu

(Neetu - I had posted this yesterday, but on the wrong board - nov. Sorry for the delay).
I wanted to share this with all the women who are having the rash/itching problem. But each lady may have different reasons to it. In my case, I still do not know the cause, neither does my doctor. I don't know whether this would work for you. But there is nothing harm in doing these. These help in reducing the itching, which is our primary goal.

My rash started on the 23rd week on my upper belly. They were like mosquito bites. Just in a few hours time, it spread all round my belly and became patches. They itched like hell. In a day or two, it appeared like mosquito bites on my breasts and then hands. Slowly they also turned into patches, guess, its due to my scratching. My doctor suspected cholastassis (bile contamination in blood). So they tested my blood. It came out normal. So he said, \";the rash may be either due to some allergy or pregnancy rash. If its allergy, we cannot find out from which one. This is not the time for it. If its normal pregnancy rash, then it may go only after delivery\";. I started crying like anything because I had another 16 more weeks to go then.

Then, reading several sites about normal itching, I started applying plain home-made yogurt on all the places where rash is there. I used to apply it and stay like that for 15 mts and then take a cold shower, just applying Dove soap and cold water. When I applied yogurt for the first time, it itched like hell's hell, i should say. But I just asked my husband to hold my hands so that I don't touch it. After a cold shower, it was better. Again at night it will start. Then I will apply ice cubes. My doctor had advised me to take Benadryl allergy 25 tablet. I could not find any relief in that. However, Aveeno anti-itch lotion (steroid free) gave me relief. Still it was spreading. I continued yogurt treatment for 4-5 days. After a week, I started noticing that my belly rashes were turning black, which I took as a sign of healing. Slowly, the black skin started peeling which was again itching, but I didn't scratch at all. Whenever I feel like scratching I keep ice cubes (wrapped on a soft towel) on that. Then I started hoping that everything will start healing the same way. So I continued to do what I did. No scratching. Cut the nails. Two (or sometimes three) cold showers. At night, aveeno application. On hands, whenever it itches, cold water or ice cubes. I could not do the same thing with my breasts and other parts, becoz I have to remove my clothing everytime. And another thing that I noticed is, when it is too hot, the itching is worse. On a hot day, I cry like anything. So try to wear as much as less, loose and soft cotton clothes. I wore only a loose cotton salwar top. After this rash started healing, it was still itching, probably the skin was changing. So I started applying coconut oil and lightly massage for 10 mts for the skin to absorb it. Then take cold showers. I am continuing to do this and the rash and itching are much much less now. Its a lot better. I also use sesame oil once in 3 days. That keeps the skin oily which reduces itching to a great extent. Coconut oil does wonders to the skin. Hence I continue to use it. And I stopped all other lotions and creams which I was using otherwise. Until I am fully recovered from this, i am not going to touch them. The cooler the body, the better the itching. So try to drink as much as water, lots of buttermilk (not curd, buttermilk is cool whereas curd causes heat, 1 cup of curd per day would do, thats what my mom told me). Try to keep ur body temperature cool by taking cold showers and taking drinks and food that keeps the body cool. Wear loose, cotton clothing. You don't have to wrap ur body fully in clothes when u r at home. Try not to scratch, which is very very tough. Keep ice packs or pour cold water. Apply yogurt, if it doesn't give relief, apply sesame oil or coconut oil. These things worked for me. Try if it works for you. You can also try sandal paste which is cool for the body. Do it during the day, not at night. Also, after shower, don't wipe ur body with towel as we do usually. This will cause slight rubbing and itch will start. Just tap or pat the body with soft towel so that the towel takes away the wetness and not rub against the skin. This will also prevent the skin from getting dried up. All I want is that people who suffered like me should also get relief. Above all (I don't know about others, please don't mistake me), I have great faith in Lord Vishnu. So I started chanting Dhanvantri Sthothram (God of medicine, Vishnu reincarnation) 51 times daily. My mom advised me to do this. And another thing, WE can bear all this rash and itching... and this will not affect our baby, that is our greatest hope. Imagine, God forbid, if we have something else, and if it affects the baby, we will not be able to bear THAT at all. So its better that WE are getting this and our baby will not be affected by this. So I was feeling quite happy that way. Saying this I consoled myself. I am sorry if you find this statement offensive.

My doctor asked me to take Zyrtec (prescription medicine) if Benadryl doesn't work. I used benadryl for two days, I could not find any relief. But I didn't go for Zyrtec though they say its very good. I just wanted to avoid medication as much as possible.

I pray God that something good should happen to you and others who have this problem. Please let me know, how you are doing. My mom who lives in India says that she has not heard of this rash problem (though there are many women in India with itching problems) to her knowledge. Most of my relatives and friends in India had not heard about PUPP there. How come we are getting this thing here? Thats why I was more determined to get rid of this.

Whatever I have written here is limited to my mom's and my knowledge. However, its getting better. Thats what we want. So let me know about you.

Ok. Take care
Bye for now
Mom to be (26th week) Neetu replied. Hey there,
Thanks for sharing all ur info, I hope and wish that ur itching must be better by now.

For me it is almost same, not better nor worse but yeah Zyrtec is helping some what, i am also aaplying mustard oil and coca butter oil along with creams my dermatoligist gave me.

My PUPPS haven't dried or peeled off, so I don't know when they will go or will they ever go off and will they leave their marks.


Thanks and take care, I really pray that u get some relief .

Thanks
Neetu Verma