It’s quite normal to feel a little bit of itching on your skin when you’re pregnant. But if the itching becomes intense with time and streaky hives appear across your pregnant belly, then it may be the PUPPP rash. It is the most common rash of pregnancy. According to a survey, PUPPP rash affects about 1 in 200 pregnant women. However, it is totally harmless to the mother and the baby. But it’s still important to know about the condition, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What is PUPPP Rash?
The word PUPPP stands for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, aka polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). It is an inflammatory gestational skin disorder in which hive-like bumps and streaks spread all over the abdomen and other body parts. It most likely happens during the third trimester. Also, it affects the back, breasts, arms, hands, buttocks, and legs and rarely develops on the face. In most of the cases, as soon as you deliver the baby, the PUPPP rash also goes away.
Causes of PUPPP Rash
No one knows the exact cause of the PUPPP rash. It is believed that it happens due to the hormonal changes in the body of a woman during pregnancy. Here are some possible causes of it:
- Hormonal changes in late pregnancy: During the third trimester, hormone levels fluctuate to a great extent. These changes make the skin more sensitive and reactive, leading to inflammation, redness, and extreme itching.
- Stretching of the abdominal skin: As your baby bump grows, the skin stretches faster than it can adjust. This stretching may disturb the skin’s inner layers, especially around stretch marks, which are the primary target of PUPPP rash.
- Possible immune system involvement: Pregnancy also affects how your immune system works. Some doctors believe the body may react to stretched skin cells as “dead or external.”
- Genetic or familial tendencies: It’s rare, but some women are more prone to PUPPP due to inherited skin sensitivity or a family history of pregnancy-related rashes.
Symptoms of PUPPP Rash
PUPPP rashes have a similar appearance to hives. Below are certain symptoms that can confirm to you that you have PUPPP:
- You have a number of itchy bumps on your pregnant belly, which sometimes become welts.
- The rash appears on your thighs, butt, breasts and arms, other than your belly.
- The rash is not visible near your belly button.
- The rash looks pink or red on the light-toned skin.
- If your skin color is dark, the rash may appear the same or slightly darker than your skin color.
- The itching from your rash makes it difficult to concentrate on your daily activities and impacts your sleep.
Diagnosis and Treatment of PUPPP Rash
An obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) or dermatologist can diagnose the PUPPP rash during a clinical exam. But in the case of some patients, it may require conducting a small skin biopsy for a correct diagnosis. They may also do some blood tests. Moreover, no doctor in this world can predict who will get PUPPP and who will not, and there’s no way to prevent it. Since there is no permanent cure, you can only manage it. The itch can be strong, but it disappears within a couple of weeks after labor.
There are many treatments for PUPPP rash. Some home remedies include soaking your whole body or only the affected area in a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal or applying a zero-fragrance moisturizer. You can use cold compresses on the rash to reduce skin irritation. Before trying these remedies, discuss them with your doctor. Many doctors suggest one of the following treatments for PUPPP:
- Topical corticosteroids. such as over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams
- Non-sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Systemic corticosteroids such as prednisone (if prescribed, as it is used only in severe cases)
Risk Factors of PUPPP Rash
It is 100% true that there is no medical evidence of what causes a PUPPP rash. But there are some risk factors that increase the possibility of getting a PUPPP rash. Some risk factors for PUPPP have a strong connection with the stretching of the skin, while others don’t. Here are a few factors that may make you more vulnerable to getting PUPPP rash in pregnancy:
- First-time or multiple pregnancy: The more pregnancies you have, the more likely you are to have stretch marks on your belly, which will more likely cause the rash.
- Genetics: You may be subject to risk if other members of your family have had PUPPP.
- Male baby: This fact may surprise you. Most pregnant women who have PUPPP rash are carrying males. Because of this, some experts believe that the growth of the PUPPP rash might be a result of hormones from the male fetus.
To Sum Up
Living with PUPPP rash can be difficult, especially when it’s the most important phase of a woman’s life, pregnancy. You can manage it with proper medical guidance and self-care. Don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor, as the right treatment can make a huge difference. Also, if you wear comfortable motherhood essentials such as maternity bras or nursing bras, you can feel comfortable even during the discomfort of PUPPP rash. To buy high-quality motherhood essentials, just visit Lovemere. You won’t regret it.
