Ack! It's back!

I mentioned in posts during my pregnancy with Ev that I had a weird pregnancy rash called PUPPP.  Well, it has reared its ugly head for another shot at me during this pregnancy.  My mother-in-law had it with just one of her eight pregnancies and so I was really hopeful that the last time was just that - the LAST TIME I would have to deal with it.  Not so, apparently.  Want to know more about it?  Read on, people, read on. I wish to educate and garner sympathy, hopefully in the form of cookies or other baked goods.*** My notes are in red.  

PUPPP

The term PUPPP is short for Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy, a skin condition also known as Polymorphous Eruption of Pregnancy orPolymorphic eruption. It is an itchy, bumpy rash that starts in the stretch marks of the abdomen (except I don't have stretch marks) in the last 3 months of pregnancy then clears with delivery. (It lasted for 3 or 4 weeks after Everett was born, not cool)

What are the features of PUPPP?

Small, pink, raised spots (papules) appear in the stretch marks around the umbilicus. There is often a pale halo around the papules. These papules coalesce to form large red, raised (urticarial) patches (plaques) which spread to involve the buttocks and thighs, and sometimes the arms and legs. (that was true last time, but this time it's just the lower belly) 

PUPPP is very itchy (pruritic) and patients find it difficult to sleep at night. (and makes your husband cringe because you scratch so hard and it sounds so awful when you do)

Treatment

There is no curative treatment for PUPPP (apart from delivery!). Symptoms can be controlled using (my doc with Ev told me "sorry" and offered no other help aside from moisturizing, which looks like the only thing I would use):

• Emollients (moisturisers) applied liberally and frequently as required.
• Topical steroids applied thinly twice daily to the red itchy patches.
• Antihistamines - conventional antihistamine tablets appear safe in late pregnancy (though they may make the baby drowsy on delivery).

Can PUPPP recur with future pregnancies?

This is very uncommon. If it occurs the PUPPP is likely to be milder. (another testament to my "uncommonness" and it IS, actually, milder...for that I am thankful.  Plus I just have a month and a half left.  No big thing.)

Thank you for your attention, you may now return to your PUPPP-free life, even a little more thankful that you are not me. :)  

***It really isn't all that bad, and I have very little else to complain about.  I am thankful beyond words for this little babe and so this is totally worth it.