Help with Post-partum Itching

As an RN, you may want to find out all you can about the neuro-toxic effects of the pain medications you may have been given during delivery. I had a C-section and was given an epidural application of a morphine derivative and was warned about the itching sensations it can induce. For the next few days I almost scratched all the skin off my noese! But it only lasted a few days as my body processed the drug.

If there are lasting effects, you may want to consider something like a 3 day fruit fast to detox the liver or at least taking supplements that will help the nerve tissues to heal, such as omega 3 and vitamin B.

Many anesthetic narcotics can leave lasting neuropathic reactions when either the liver is already toxic or your body is defficient in fatty acids, minerals, or B vitamins.

Another common occurance is that pregnancy and/or medications can alter the pH balance of the body. When pH is low, the acid levels are high, and can effect the protective coating (myelin sheath) of some nerve tissue. In this case, itching is a great early warning system encouraging you to adjust your diet to balance pH. An acidic pH leaves the body vulnerable to many more serious possibilities. An acidic pH is also common in people with diabetes, which is why they are so vulnerable to neuropathies.

Hope this provides you some food for thought as you search for the solution that will work best for you.

Unfortunately, no advice, but I also had issues with itching both during pregnancy and for a while afterward. I think it is a hormone thing, but it is really miserable. I feel your pain and just wanted to send you some supportive words. I think going to the dermatologist would be fine...who cares if he thinks you're crazy! You're itchy and he's a skin doctor, so it would just make sense. Best of luck to you!

I had this issue and found out I was allergic to the colace they gave me. I found this out because I took colace for about a week post partum and had the rash. Then I stopped and it went away. I didn't really make the connection because I also had PUPPS but then started to take colace again about a month later and got the rash again. So, check to see if you may be allergic to something you are taking. I used a hydrocortazone cream and eucerin mix which helped the itching and burning. Hope this helps!

I had the itching thing too and the only thing that helped was calamyne lotion. Back then it was only the pink stuff but now they have a clear gel that works great. Mine was my skin going back to normal. I had toxemia and blew up like a balloon due to the water retention. After I gave birth about 4 weeks later I was finally losing the water and my skin was shrinking back down. It itched like crazy and at night I would scratch it unconciously. Don't know if you've tried benedryl, that seemed to help also. Good luck and God Bless.

I remember having the itching, and I kept making the nurse change my bedding because I thought it was dirty sheets! I believe it was my body's reaction to the epidural I had for my c-section. I do not remember itching at home, but while I was in the hospital it was horrible for a couple of days. I would ask about the epidural medication to see if that is causing a reaction, still in your system.

I didn't have itching immediately post-partum, but about a month after my cesarian I broke out in hives all over my body. The MD had nothing to say about it, but I took Benadryl. (Check with your practitioner before taking anything, some might dry up your milk!!!!! or be toxic to baby.) That gave me enough relief to get by for the four days it lasted.

I thought and thought about what it might have been. The only think I can think of is that I might have had a reaction to the stitches, which I suppose would have dissolved around that time.

2nd baby was a vbac, so I only had a few stitches, and not internal. About a month after, I had a few hives and a little itching on my thighs, but minor enough that I might not even have thought about it if I hadn't been looking for that.

Hope this goes away fast!

I went through the same thing last year. I had my daughter in February and I think with it being wintertime, my skin got really dry. I was also nursing and not taking in enought fluids. We got a warm mist humidifier and I took baths with lots of silky bath wash. Make sure you are well hydrated too.

Hi M.,
I can totally sympathize with you. I had the itching too and it about drove me nuts. I did ask my doctor about it and later read up on it and it does have to do with hormones not all women get it only a certain percentage. I don't remember that exact percent but apparently you and I were in it. My itching did last about 3-4 months and I just used cortizone cream or any lotion just to keep in moisturized so that it didn't itch as bad. Good luck and it will pass!!! Congrats on your new precious baby girl!
L.

With as crazy as our systems get when pregnant, it wouldn't surprise me if the itching came from and internal yeast infection. They present themselves in many forms; itching skin is definitely one of them. You could try acidophilus pills (Pearls are great), and yogurt is good too. Cut out the sweets and caffein for a while and see if you feel better. Good Luck!

I suffer from stress and hormone-induced hives. I don't always have the welts or bumps though, sometimes I just itch. I recommend getting a good loofah (helps with the itchiness, use it in the shower obviously) and get yourself some gold bond cream. It doesn't smell great, but it will help!

Been there. I was told mine was because of the Intrathecal they gave me (like an epidural, but just a shot in my epidural space, no tube, lasted only a few hours, quick labor, 4th kid). It contained morphine... And I itched like crazy for what seemed like forever. Benedryl helped and so did Advil (itching is a "lesser form of pain" is what I was told???). Mine was nerve related because of the Morphine. Talk to your doctor. If you're not nursing you might be able to take a higher dose of Advil. Good luck. I feel for you.

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions! I wanted to chime in on the benedryl... After having my first born a few years ago my body changed to where my allergies were more ... severe, I guess... and I would have random itching all over my body. I would scratch and it would itch somewhere else, making me feel like it didn't itch where I originally thought to scratch, and made me feel like I was crazy (the look my hubby gave me when I asked him if he ever scratched where he thought it itched and it not be there, like think it was your shoulder but then it's your foot, but not your foot then your arm, etc, didn't help!). From what I've gathered since I'm itching *under* my skin and can't get to it, and it's all over. The benedryl fixes it though, thank GOD for Benedryl! So perhaps you might have the same thing, perhaps not.

***And I'd like to note on the lady who said she was told that itching was another form of pain: I can only concur! I 100% believe that if we gave prisoners the medicine that makes us itch post c section and tie them up, not allowing them to scratch, they would tell ALL... I truly can not imagine a worse form of torture, because even being able to scratch post surgery was torture enough!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just have dry sensitive skin, but what works for me is using all natural soap, then when I get out of the tub after I am dry I use Aveeno soothing relief moisture cream or even vaseline makes a brand of lotion that seems to help...when the itching is unbearable...and I have made my legs bleed before as well...I use the gold bond medicated lotion for dry itchy skin, that seems to help a little.
I have tried just about everything...If you have an old clean sock or old clean panty hose you can put some oatmeal in it and tie it in a knot and let the oatmeal steep in your bath water...honestly don't know if it helps but it seems to soften the water ( we do not have a water softner)

I know we are not supposed to advertise here, but the all natural soaps I use are from my in laws and if you are interested you can send me a message and I will give you their website = ) They have helped my daughters excema more than anything else we have ever tried, I Love them and couldn't live without them!

Lots of luck, being itchy is miserable
B.

I itched horribly, especially my feet after my twins. I think it was from the pain medication. I took it for a while after delivery to help with the nursing pain that I had. As soon as I stopped the medicine, the itching stopped.

I'm going to go in another direction and just suggest something topical for you since the other suggestions all seem very valid and there is no sense repeating them.

My daughter has severe eczema and I get a winter rash that causes a lot of itching and burning. After numerous dermotologists I can HIGHLY suggest using Vanicream soap...it has no dyes, formaldhyde, scents, etc. It has worked GREAT on our skin and they also have a nice lotion. My daughter is also on a liquid anti-itch medicine called Atarax. I don't know how it converts for adults (liquid or pill form) and we don't use it unless she is itching REALLY bad but it does stop the itching so she can get to sleep and have some relief. Whatever you do, stop any kind of soaps and fragrances...Use something that is a non soap if you are washing yourself and only use tepid water soas not to aggrivate the skin further.

I would also recommend following up with a dermotologist...they might have other ideas too.