33 weeks pregnant with bad bad allergy?

I am 33 weeks preggo and I got days wih this bad allergy I dont know if its hives or some other type of skin allergy all over my face,, it stings and itches like crazy,,I made an appointment with my dermatologist this thursdsay but I need to take something now for the itchiness,, is it ok to take benadryl ? or Clarityin? I just cant stand it please help.

33 weeks pregnant with bad bad allergy?
I've got a pretty severe dustmite allergy that causes eczema all over my body, that actually got worse because of the pregnancy hormones. Before I got pregnant I'd already tried Benadryl a few times, but it doesn't work for me... I think it's supposedly much more effective for allergies that have to do with your lungs and such than for skin allergies. I'm not entirely sure how safe it is during pregnancy, as I haven't bothered to try it because well, it doesn't help with my skin allergies. In fact, rashes are listed as a possible side effect.





What does work is a) a good moisturizer... I use Cutemol (order it online... most pharmacies don't carry it). It's over the counter but my allergist prescribed it to me saying it was the best. Some moisturizers you buy in the store contain a fair amount of alcohol and such and may actually dehydrate your skin further... they may feel good for a moment but are a bad choice in the long run. I don't know whether your skin is dry but dryness definitely makes itching a lot worse.


b) corticosteroids... I use triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% lotion, which is a mid-strength one. It poses a minor risk to the baby, but like I said, my eczema is *all* over my body, if I don't use it I'd kill myself (really, I'm not exaggerating here). In the quantity I use it in the risk is very minor (and my baby looked perfectly normal at the 20 week ultrasound :)). You can't get it without a prescription (because it's mid-strength), but you can get a *very mild* corticosteroid cream over the counter: hydrocortisone (someone else already mentioned this). If you use it only on your face the risk to your baby is virtually zero (don't plaster it on though, just a thin layer 2-3 times a day). Corticosteroids have a bad name and lots of people are afraid of them thinking that they're horrible, but that's only because when they first came out they were only available in strong doses, which do pose a risk to the baby... the stuff over the counter is really rather safe (that's why it's over the counter). I'd recommend not using it on your belly area though if you can avoid it. Also, there are oral versions of corticosteroids (which are totally awesome, really effective, I've had those a few times before I got pregnant) but which obviously come with a much larger risk to the baby (and which are not available over the counter anyway).





I've also tried Lanacane (benzocaine 20% %26amp; benzethonium chloride 0.2%), but haven't checked whether it's safe during pregnancy, sorry. The tube says "hours and hours of relief" "anti-itch creme medication". In my experience, it provides about 15 minutes of relief. :( You can try it, considering it's only on a small area for a couple of days, but in my experience it just isn't effective. It might work for you though.
Reply:It's possible you have a condition called PUPPP, or Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. It usually appears at 35 weeks but can come sooner. Here's a good description:





The rash of PUPPP almost always begins in the stretch marks (striae) of the abdomen. It does not involve the belly button distinguishing it from other common rashes of pregnancy. The rash itself consists of small, red wheals in the stretch marks that grow together to form larger wheals on the abdomen. Sometimes the rash can include small vesicles. Over the next several days, the rash can spread over the thighs, buttocks, breasts, and arms.





The rash is very itchy, or pruritic, hence the name. This condition is harmless to mother and baby, but can be very annoying. It lasts an average of 6 weeks and resolves spontaneously 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. The most severe itching normally lasts for no more than 1 week.





DO NOT take any steroid medications. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATIONS!!!





Bottom line: Call your Doc and set up an appointment. There are soaps and lotions that help with PUPPP in the meantime. Hope you start feeling better soon!
Reply:I'm 32 wks pregnant and have been fighting allergies all spring! My OB told me that it's fine to take benedryl in the recommended dosage while pregnant, but to stay away from the Claritin. You might also try some sort of hydracortizone cream for immediate relief. Good luck!