NOT MEDICAL ADVICE – ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING!
When I was pregnant with Lauren, I suffered from Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP). It is a debilitating hormonal rash so itchy you’d think you had sand flies underneath your skin biting their way out. All day and night. You wouldn’t even wish it upon your worst enemies. So I’m going to share a simple PUPPP relief method, for the good of all womankind. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! [space]
Table of Contents
What Is PUPPP?
PUPPP is uncommon, but not rare, and apparently has a reported rate of 0.5% in single pregnancies. In other words, 1 very unlucky woman out of 200 will get this. So 199 women can thank their lucky stars that I was the chosen one, 天煞孤星. How do you know if it’s PUPPP? It comes during the last trimester and spreads everywhere, excluding the face, palms and soles. That’s right, you’d even get the rash on your armpits and butt crack. Nasty right? For me, it started from my belly stretch marks. The rest is history. I was only 36 weeks and according to the doctor, the only PUPPP cure was to deliver the baby.
I know right, if men could get pregnant, I’m sure there would be a PUPPP cure. Heck, there may even be a vaccine to prevent it from happening. Just take a look at this monstrosity.
PUPPP Rashes and How It Looks
As you can tell, the rash is unlike any other rash. They are like college cheerleaders, forming cliques and all.
Another tell-tale sign that you have PUPPP, if it’s not obvious enough when you are losing your sanity from scratching, is the rash has a halo effect. Yea, nothing beats being mocked by an angelic rash from hell.
So, many women opt to induce birth so they can be freed by the shackles of this PUPPP rash. Others try oatmeal baths and pine tar soaps that make you smell like you were roasting boar at a campfire. Many others just scratched till they bled. It’s so tragic! So how did I manage to get through this without a single scar on my skin?
Hot Water or Hot Air
That’s right, I used hot water. *DISCLAMINER: This worked for me and does not necessarily mean it will work for you. Execution is key. Try at your own risk! AND BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BURN YOURSELF!
As mentioned, execution is key. Hot water has a wide range and the hot water I’m talking about is like onsen temperature hot water. Almost as hot as you can accept and yet, not scald your skin. For me, I turned down the water outlet to the right temperature and used the shower head to focus on the PUPPP rashes.
I am not sure about the science behind it but in simple layman’s terms, the hot water actually manages to agitate the excessive histamines store (we don’t know why we suddenly produce so much!) all at once, i.e. getting to the root of the itch and it feels as though you scratched the crap out of it but you didn’t! So you are gratified without damaging your skin! And since it takes time for our bodies to build up the histamines store again, before we start itching like mad, it’s time for us to get some sleep! Finally! And this method is good for relief around 8 hours! Only issue is, the rash will look very freaky friday.
Recovery Phase
Oh yeah baby. That’s what I’m talking about. It looks horrendous but the hot water provided me relief of up to 8 hours at a go! In fact, the hot water felt so good, I recall looking forward to it every time! Hahaha! I kept it up for about 1 week or so and by then the rash had pretty much stopped itching and my skin was on its way to recovery. Isn’t that fast?
You have no idea how victorious I felt overcoming something that was told to me, “Sorry no cure”. Take that, b****! Self-censorship there.
Update 7 Feb 2019
I’m now pregnant with my 4th baby and getting rashes again at 22 weeks. The hair dryer works just as well and has less possibility of accidentally scalding yourself. You just have to be extra careful and hold it further away first to get a feel of it. You will feel as if you’re scratching but you’re not. Turn the hair-dryer away once you feel the itch has been “scratched” and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT burn yourself!
The rash was totally gone before Lauren was 1 month old. No scars, no sweat. Thank God! Well, if you are dealing with PUPPP and can’t even sleep, hope this helps. If you’ve had another way to deal with PUPPP, share with us!
***Update: So although Lauren is already 20 months old, the rash still comes back, in small patches like under my belly button. So due to the “strategic location”, I can’t exactly scorch myself anymore. Sigh! Haha, so thankfully I’ve got the Baby Miracle Balm cos it stops the rash and dries it up overnight. Doesn’t have the ooomph factor but works.
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183 Comments
Heather
Thank you for This! I’m going to try it right now! I’m 34w with my 2nd baby and I was unfortunate enough to get the PUPPP rash both times. Im so miserable!!!
Jolene Liow
Hi Heather! Yikes! Hope it helps for you and all the best for your delivery!
Christina
Thank you so much for sharing! I had no idea it could spread by scratching…and unfortunately, I’m suffering from scratching. I’ve had mine since the second week of August and finally being induced this weekend. Ladies, it’s the worst pregnancy experience I’ve ever had and I’ve had 10 children! Best wishes to all of you and your precious babies!♡
Jolene Liow
Hi Christina! Wow 10! PUPPP is the worst isn’t it! Glad to hear it’d be over for you soon! All the best!
Yao
I started having rashes since 18/19 weeks, derm say i start very early :'( it started from small dots and small patches and now its all over my body. My arms have huge red patches now and my thighs are starting to have the huge patches. I’m sure it will spread to my legs soon and i’m reading this post everyday to tell myself it will get better :'( i’m really sad and feeling so ugly right now :'( hope the patches go away asap :'(
Jolene Liow
Hi Yao, it will definitely get better! Just avoid scratching or breaking your skin. As long the patches are no longer itchy, it will soon fade away. There are no patches on my skin anymore, don’t worry and have a smooth pregnancy and delivery! Hugs*
Mitzi Dy
Thanks for this post, it did work as well for me the itch were gone in four days. I am just waiting for the rashes to vanish as well.
Jolene Liow
Hi Mitzi
Thanks for sharing! It sure will, do stop the hot water if it doesn’t itch anymore. Your skin will naturally heal and the marks will be gone.
Nat Tran
Mamas, no matter what you do, do not scratch those rash! That’s how they spread! I find the itch to be at its worst after I sweat and taking shower helps, any temperature. I sleep with my belly exposed now to avoid heating up the belly and sweating. I used to use a body pillow to support the belly and elevate my leg but I ditch that too as it warmed me up. Now I just use a regular pillow for the hip. It’s not perfect but it helps some and better than using Benedryl or Hydrocortisone with side effects. Good luck, mamas!
Jolene Liow
Hi Nat, thanks for sharing! Indeed, do not scratch the rashes as it will not only encourage it to spread, it will break the skin and possibly lead to infection & scarring!