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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Extreme Itching In The Body During Pregnancy?

I m 36 weeks pregnant and for a month now I had this itch start on the bottom of my feet and it has progressed to my whole body and I have nausea and vomiting with it there s no rash just redness. The itching seems to be worse of the night benadryl does not help it or oatmeal baths. What could be causing the severe itchiness?
Wed, 30 Nov 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response

Hi & Welcome.
Based on the history given you seem to be suffering a condition called Cholestasis of pregnancy.

It usually develops in the third trimester of pregnancy ( due to an increase in pregnancy hormones) resulting in decreased flow of bile out of the liver. Eventually, the buildup of bile in the liver allows bile acids to enter the blood stream.
Bile acids deposited in the mother's tissues can lead to itching.

There's nothing to worry about it. Consult your gynecologist for further evaluation and to do certain tests such as liver function tests to assess the severity of the disease.

Meanwhile you may be prescribed to take Ursodeoxycholic acid 150 mg twice a day for seven days. It helps decrease the level of bile in the bloodstream, relieves itchiness and may reduce complications for the baby.
After the seven days of treatment, the liver function tests to be done gain and then based on the results the doctor would take a call regarding the delivery.

To soothe intense itching, you can also soaking itchy areas in lukewarm water

Hope the advice given above would be beneficial in relieving the itching.
Take care.


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What Causes Extreme Itching In The Body During Pregnancy?

Hi & Welcome. Based on the history given you seem to be suffering a condition called Cholestasis of pregnancy. It usually develops in the third trimester of pregnancy ( due to an increase in pregnancy hormones) resulting in decreased flow of bile out of the liver. Eventually, the buildup of bile in the liver allows bile acids to enter the blood stream. Bile acids deposited in the mother s tissues can lead to itching. There s nothing to worry about it. Consult your gynecologist for further evaluation and to do certain tests such as liver function tests to assess the severity of the disease. Meanwhile you may be prescribed to take Ursodeoxycholic acid 150 mg twice a day for seven days. It helps decrease the level of bile in the bloodstream, relieves itchiness and may reduce complications for the baby. After the seven days of treatment, the liver function tests to be done gain and then based on the results the doctor would take a call regarding the delivery. To soothe intense itching, you can also soaking itchy areas in lukewarm water Hope the advice given above would be beneficial in relieving the itching. Take care.