Postpartum Itching?

I have always itched some after giving birth. I think it is just hormonal. If you haven't switched detergents or anything, it shouldn't be related to that.

I had horribly bad itching on the outsides (like under my arms area) of both breasts. It was awful! I would scratch and scratch until the skin was raw (I really tried not to!!). I thought it was the fabric from my nursing bra and I asked my Dr about it. He said that it could just be my skin stretching....which I think is what it really was. I'm better now, still a little itchy sometimes, but the skin in that area has definitely stretched and there are specific times when I itch...like when my breasts are really empty (I'm nursing). Try using a laundry soap and fabric softener without any phosphates (or maybe it's phosphorous...) like the Tide in the white bottle and the bounce dryer sheets in the white box. I think it's called Tide Free and Clear or something....also, try an ice pack when the itching starts. That really helped me a lot! Good luck!

Hi A., I didn't have postpartum itching but I have terrible allergies and what helps me is the Benadryl spray, its a Godsend and I have about 6 bottles of it all over including my purse and car! Good luck!

yeah your body went through many changes so you may be allergic to laundry soap now. I know my C-section scar itches when I am close to my menstrual cycle but I don't recall itching after having either of my boys but I could be wrong its been over 5 and almost 10 ys. Well I wish you luck with this.

I had this also with my first baby but not with my second baby. My legs itched so badly that I could barely stand it. My mom gave me this cream called Aveeno anti itch cream and that stuff worked great for making the itch go away. I had to use it for about 1-2 weeks and then the itch went away.

No, I never had postpartum itching, but I am highly allergic to dust mites. When the colder weather comes, I have to wash all of the pants, long-sleeved shirts, etc. because they have been sitting in my closet for month without being worn and have dust & dustmites. If I shave my legs and put on dusty pants, I will have a reaction. When this happens, sometimes I take a bath with baking soda. I also put Benedryl or Cortaid cream on my legs and/or I take Benedryl at night, orally. I have had reaction inthe past to laundry soap (I think). With skin allergies, it is so hard to figure out what it can be. Try keeping a journal of things you eat and things you use on your body and you may be able to find out what it is. It may be Postpartum itching, but also consider there is a change in the weather and allergies are abundant right now.

Hi A.,

I had incredible itching and extreme redness after I had my daughter. I had her via c-section and about 10 days afterwards the itching and redness began. My thighs and stomach looked like I was sunburned. Doctor told me it was hormones and they prescribed pregnizone which helped greatly and did not affect my daughter as I was breastfeeding. I also used the Aveeno anti-itch and it really helped the surface itching. The pregnizone helped with the redness and the burning sensation on my skin.

Hope this helps.

L.

Hi A.,
Congrats on your new baby! Try putting some bath oil in a hot soaking bath relax, relax, relax, then rub some of that wonderful baby lotion all over your self. With me, I was so envolved with playing with my favorite new toy (my baby) I was negletcing myself.
Best of luck to you, Marlene

I had similar issues while I was pregnant. An OB nurse told me that it was because of hormone surges. I suspect that it will taper off when your hormones settle down a bit. Mine did. (Although it felt like forever.) You may try baby oil gel instead of lotion. It helped me. I know that Wal-Mart carries it in a few different scents in their Equate brand.