Pregnancy Hives Treatment
Hives, also known as urticaria, is basically a skin rash that is characterized by red, itchy welts that develop on the skin. In most cases, the development of the rash is triggered by an allergen, but hives are not always allergic. There are many causes of hives that have nothing to do with allergies. Pregnancy is one situation in which hives commonly develops. The condition is known as “pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy”, or PUPPP for short. This rash typically begins on the skin of the abdominal area, and it gradually spreads to other parts of the body, such as the chest, arms, legs, and neck. In many cases, tiny blisters also appear, and there may be lesions too, similar to the kind that develop in certain types of eczema. The rash is usually quite itchy, and is therefore extremely irritating, but other than that it is quite harmless. It is thought that the hormone fluctuations and other changes that occur in the body during pregnancy may cause histamines to be released, leading to the rash.
Treatment of Hives
Treatment of hives during pregnancy usually consists of simple measures to soothe the rash. Since there is no underlying problem, symptomatic treatment is adequate. Also, due to the fact of the pregnancy itself, it is better to avoid any kind of medication. Calamine lotion can safely be applied on the rash, as it poses no risk to you or your baby. However, it is better to avoid any other anti itch lotions unless you have first asked your doctor about them. One of the best home remedies for a rash is a cold compress. Simply dip a soft, clean cloth in a bowl of cold water, squeeze out the excess water from the cloth, and place the cloth on the affected area of skin. After a few minutes, repeat the whole process. You can do this as many times a day as you like. Some people find that calamine lotion is also far more effective if it has been cooled by refrigeration. Applying a moisturizing cream or lotion may also help, as many cases of PUPPP are aggravated by dry, stretched skin. The best time to apply moisturizer is just after you have bathed, when your skin has already absorbed a lot of water.
In some cases, these measures may not provide enough relief, in which case you will need to consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids.
