Prurigo of pregnancy

Urgg...the stupid rash and itch is back. In the last week or so, I was getting comfortable with the false impression of my rash being under control. Sadly I was mistaken...or maybe it's just that the weather got warmer again. I had the hardest time sleeping last night (despite of having 2 fans blowing in the room with the night temp. of 62 degree) as the itch on my hands and feet was relentless. This morning my hands are swollen again with red bumps that resembles bug bites.

Not that it helps but I think I figured out what I have is not PUPPP. I think it's Prurigo of Pregnancy which is still part of pregnancy rash but slightly different sympton than PUPPP.

Here's what I found out according to Femalepatient.com:

Prurigo of pregnancy (PP) is the most poorly characterized gestational dermatosis. It has also been described as Besnier’s prurigo of pregnancy and papular dermatitis of Spangler. Prurigo of pregnancy is a diagnosis of exclusion, and a large number of pruritic entities unrelated to pregnancy must be considered. It classically occurs in the second half of pregnancy, affecting about 1 in 300 pregnant women.7,9

This condition presents clinically as discrete, bite-like papules on the extremities that resemble scabies or other arthropod bites. The lesions consist of erythematous papules and nodules on the extensor surfaces of extremities and occasionally the abdomen (Figure 6).1 Prurigo of pregnancy is often seen in women with an atopic background, and is associated with increased serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE)—supporting the notion that PP may represent a gestational variant of atopic dermatitis occurring as a result of common pruritus gravidarum.7 Liver function studies, including serum bile acids, should be performed to rule out cholestasis or hepatitis. At a minimum, the differential diagnosis also should include an allergic reaction and scabies or other infestation.

Knowing this piece of information, of course, does not help ease my discomfort -- especially knowing that it won't go away until the baby is born.

I am so giving my kid the guilt trip when he gets older...just kidding...maybe. :P

- M