New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Meg Montague, Bel Air MD — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:09:24 GMT

Oh my heck!
At about 38 weeks into my 1st pregnancy I also broke out in the heinous PUPPPS! It was everywhere and it itched like crazy. Fortunately I was induced and put on a steroid after delivering. AHHHHHH. My second pregnancy I was carrying twins BUT I was sparred, I did not get PUPPPS again. I was so relieved!!!!!!!!!!!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Sara, Belcamp, MD — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:16:21 GMT

I am so glad that I wasn't the only one that had this horrible thing and now I have a name for it. My dr and my sons ped didn't have a clue what it could be and said it didn't have anything to do with giving birth. I didn't develop it until about 1 week post pardom and it lasted for about 1 1/2 months.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Cindy, Chicago — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:17:31 GMT

Interesting. I had a hideous abdominal rash post partum with my second. I attributed it to the vicodin and darvocet I was given post c-section. I stopped taking the narcotic pain killers and it went away. I found Motrin more effective for the pain anyway. So there's some more mystery for you.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Happy Dad — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:35:17 GMT

My wife suffered from this during her pregnancy and out of everything she tried the one that worked the best was pine tar soap.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Suzanne, West St. Paul, MN — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:53:57 GMT

This happened to me as well after the birth of my first daughter. All of the doctors had no idea (16 years ago). They guessed things everywhere from a delayed reaction to pain medication all the way to scabies. I finally found out that PUPPP existed a couple of years ago and it was like - Ha! Mystery solved.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Jan, San Antonio, Texas — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:13:30 GMT

My daughter had this after twins and no one including the dr. seemed to know what it was. We decided it was an allergy to the Betadyne used for the c section. After reading this I am sure she had PUPP. Aren't doctors supposed to know these things?

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Laurie, Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:15:30 GMT

I suffered from the PUPPP rash at the end of my pregnancy as well and it was MISERABLE. It started on my belly and then moved to my feet and hands. I had to take oral steroids, as well as use a steroid cream. It finally went away 2 weeks after delivery. Like the author above, I had no idea that it was even a possibility. I work with pregnant moms in my job and make sure that I let them know about PUPPPS so they don't suffer in silence!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Jessica Schwartz, Fond du Lac, WI — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:20:42 GMT

I developed PUPPP late in my third trimester and was miserable. I heard that it went away with delivery and I BEGGED my doctor to induce labor so I could get some relief! It was so uncomfortable and just absolutely miserable. I had never heard of it and too was convinced that my son was miserable along with me! I found that the Aveno bath helped but did not cure it. I found a lot of helpful websites with many recommendations, many of which I tried, with no relief. Now, 1 year postpartum, I've almost forgotten about how miserable I was and can honestly say it was worth it when I look in my son's dark brown eyes!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Molly, Syracuse, NY — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:23:17 GMT

You mention that "...I don’t mention PUPPP because I don’t want to scare them." Do you think it's any less scary to get this rash and not know what it is?!! I got it I was terrified! Tell them! At least then they'll understand what it might be!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Heather B. Minneapolis, MN — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:24:32 GMT

THANK YOU! I got this rash after my second pregnancy- and I was originally diagnosed as having an allergy to Ibruprofin. I never saw a determologist, but if I had, it would more likely be this. This article described my condition to a tee.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Mom of 1, Philadelphia — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:40:30 GMT

I read your article with great interest -- especially the line: "My obstetrician was fairly clueless, so I was referred to a dermatologist."

You see, I too, had PUPP but DURING pregnancy. I, too, remember how awful this rash was, and the related incessant itching. In my case, it disappeared as soon as I gave birth.

But, what struck me about that line above -- is that the same happened with me. I went to see my OBYGYN, who was quite alarmed at the rash, and ready to put me through a series of tests and bloodwork. She suggested it was kidney-related, and then said almost in an offhand way to try seeing my dermatologist. Of course, within a second of me lifting my top, my dermatologist told me I had PUPPP, again, a "textbook" case.

I learned it's supposedly very common in FIRST pregnancies (which was the case for me, too), and in my case, only "treatable" by giving birth.

So, my questions -- why don't OBGYNS know about PUPPP? If it's so common, how come both of us here had doctors who were clueless? I almost went through painful and UNNECESSARY tests for a condition that is supposed to be well-known and common. Clearly some medical schools' obstetrics programs need to focus more on this topic!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

susan, leesburg va — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:52:09 GMT

i had pupp in my first pregnancy. however i did not have the stretch marks to go with it. PUPP showed up at about 30 weeks and 6 years later I still have a permanent tan on my stomach from PUPP. My dr. put me on zyrtec.....my husband googled it and found dandelion root to be a great way to get rid of it. guess what it worked. i drank dandelion root in hot water 2x's a day till i had the baby. hope this helps

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Lynn, Warwick, RI — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:55:42 GMT

I developed PUPPP around week 32 of my pregnancy and it was the most horrific experience! After advice from a friend, I slept covered in ice packs because it was the only thing to relieve the itch! I still has to take 5-6 cold showers a day, as well. My ankles were swollen from the pregnancy, and the rash made them even worse and they leaked fluid because they were busting at the seams! A topical steroid cream finally helped, but it didn't fully clear until after delivery (I went to 41 weeks), I still have the scars from all the scratching. I feel extreme symmpathy for anyone who has to go through this!!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Kim — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:18:23 GMT

OMG.... I developed this rash about 2 weeks after giving birth to my son. I went to the emergency room because it freaked me out and they had no idea what it was. They sent me home with steriods and hoped for it to clear up. Very interesting article - thanks

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Lori M., Orange NJ — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:21:15 GMT

Thank goodness I didn't have it in all four of my pregnancies. No! I had to deal with the babies making trampolines out of my right sciatic nerve and using my bladder as a squeeze ball.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

sarah p, carbondale, IL — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:10:09 GMT

I have a friend who had PUPP during her first pregnancy and was miserable. Thank god she had an OBGYN that new exactly what the rash was as soon as she called I am surprosed that so many don't know what it is.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Dana — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:17:15 GMT

I developed the PUPPP rash right before the birth of my son, just a small spot on my belly. My Dr. knew what it was right away and she told me it would go away right after I delivered. She was just a little bit wrong there...it got worse. I wound up with the rash from my belly to the bottoms of my feet, for two weeks after, in August, in Arizona.

We are planning on having another child within the next year. I really hope that the author is correct when she said that you don't get PUPPP a second time!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Dana, Mesa, AZ — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:18:37 GMT

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Esther, Beverly MA — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:19:07 GMT

Yep - I had it too with daughter number one, and yep, my doc was clueless and frankly the derm wasn't much better. I wanted to claw my skin off and mine in a very rare turn of events, did spread to my face (which threw them off at first because they said 'it couldn't' but turns out, it can). I will NEVER forget the itching. Ever. Thankfully no issues with daughter number two - but I had it everywhere - arms, legs, stomach, neck and eyes (my eyes swelled shut from itching the first day when I didn't know better and itched thinking it was hay fever). Did steroid cream, Aveeno baths, calamine lotion and a stiff resolve to kill the next doctor that didn't take me seriously!!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

LB, San Diego, CA — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:19:24 GMT

PUPPP is the WORST thing I have ever experienced and I would not wish it on my worst enemy. I had this for the last month of my first pregnancy and it didn't clear up until about 6 weeks after I gave birth. I declined the steroids postpartum because I was afraid it might pass through the breastmilk.

Like Happy Dad's wife, the only thing that kept me semi-sane was pine tar soap and lots of cold showers. I was waking up every two hours even before I gave birth because of the horrible itching! Utterly miserable!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Joan Burnham, Houston, Texas — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:42:07 GMT

My episode with PUPPP occurred in my second pregnancy in the third trimester. I was seen by a dermatologist who placed me on low dose prednisone through out the remainder of the pregnancy. The Dermatologist assured me the rash would resolve within 24 hours of delivery. Unfortunately, the rash spread from my legs only to the rest of my body until only my face and scalp were spared. After 3 days I was back at the dermatologist begging for relief as the low dose steroids, topical corticosteroids and antihistamines did nothing. I was placed on high dose steroids which provided relief within 24 hours. I have suffered with the same rash, on a recurrent basis, now called eczema, since the 1996 PUPPP.
I have done research on PUPPP and found out
1. Few dermatologists have ever seen PUPPP, much less treated it
2. Studies show the in 90% of the cases the mother with PUPPP is carrying a male fetus
3. It is hypothesized that the male DNA of the fetus conflicts with the mother inducing an allergic like rash that is raised red lesions that are very itchy.
4. Most women with PUPPP are undiagnosed and not enough is known about the condition for the OB/GYN and General Practice doctors to have guidelines to follow for management of the disorder.

The best management seems to be keeping cool, heat makes itching worse, using topical agents to keep the skin cool and moisturized to minimize itching and prevent scratching. If any scratching results in open sores, use a topical antibacterial ointment to prevent infections. In severe cases do not be afraid to ask for oral medications such as antipruritics or steroids.
AND ask your doctors about PUPPP so that they can become educated how best to help you.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Glad to have read — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:42:57 GMT

WOW I'd never heard of this before. Thanks for the article.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Julie, Houston, TX — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:00:43 GMT

PUPPP is the most miserable thing ever! I had it for the last ~3 weeks of my 1st pregnancy. It started around my belly button and later climbed all the way to my jawline, onto my upper arms and a little on my legs. Nothing helped except covering my belly with ice packs or a frozen wet towel (a temporary fix...better than nothing)! I think topical medications just dried the skin out and made the itching worse. The rash started disappearing a day or two before I went into labor and was completely gone by the day after delivery. I'm pregnant again now, and strangely, I have had a similar (but not as bad) rash appear twice now. Both times it has lasted a week and then disappeared (thankfully). I have 4 weeks left and am hoping it doesn't come back again!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Terri, La Plata, MD — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:15:04 GMT

Wow....I can't believe I'm reading this! I had this after my second child was born and just attributed it to the stress of natural childbirth, pregnancy hormones, etc. I think it lasted about a week and then the rash went away....didn't even think to go to a dermatologist. Boy, was I miserable!!!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Kristina, San Francisco, California — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:53:39 GMT

I also had PUPPP AFTER giving birth to my first daughter. It showed up a day or two after the birth, and I also thought it was a reaction to the medication I was given during the birth. My doctor had no clue as to what it was, which left me more freaked out. (Not helped by the insane itching and post partum exhaustion.) I wish I had known what it was. I think it lasted about a month. What a nightmare.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Kristina, San Francisco, California — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:53:41 GMT

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Erin Bennington, VT — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:03:49 GMT

I was born 31 years ago on a Friday night in Vermont. My mother developed a severe rash shortly after giving birth and the doctors didn't know if it was contagious. I had to go through the first three days of my life without her being able to hold me until the doctors came back on Monday and determined it wasn't going to spread to me. They treated it with steroid cream and it cleared up about a month later. I'm thinking it was PUPPP, but the only difference was that the doctors told her that if she got pregnant again it would come back, most likely while she was still pregnant. Any idea what this was?
P.S.- Needless to say, I'm an only child! :-)

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Marina, San Diego CA — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:04:56 GMT

I actually had this condition right before I got pregnant and no derm could give me an explanation. They told me it has to do with stress. It was awful and painful. It took almost 8 months to go away and no matter what treatment I got, nothing worked. It just went away on it''s own, but now every time I get anything on my body I get really worried.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Michelle, Dallas Texas — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:32:08 GMT

My mom mentioned above about me having this after I delivered twins. My OBGYN was so unsympathetic about it! She was completely mystified and seem to think I was over-reacting. It's gratifying to hear others talking about how awful it was - I felt like Job when I had it!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Allison, Brunswick, MD — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:36:43 GMT

At 35 weeks,my general practitioner told me I had scabies. I had just a few pimple sized blisters on my hands and wrist. I developed an itchy rash that hurt like a sunburn.I thought was an allergic reaction to the prescription cream to kill scabies. It spread up my arms and down my body, covering me from my neck to my toes. The dermatologist never called it PUPP, but he did say I never had scabies. I suffered for 6+ weeks. I could only wear smooth cotton and nothing tight, not even a bra. Showers took forever because it was painful to wash and dry off. I'd shower at 4 am at the hospital because I was afraid they'd show up with the baby and I wouldn't be ready. Sleeping was impossible because of the burn. Topical steroids did nothing to help. Relief came after taking oral steroids for a week, but it took a few weeks to be completely rid of the rash. A few weeks after delivery I was finally able to wear a bra again. All this time I thought it was an allergic reaction...The pain is still clear in my memory.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Kim, Topeka, KS — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:25:20 GMT

This happened to me, too. My doctor had NO IDEA what it was. How could he not know?? Thank you very much for this article.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Nancy, Valencia, CA — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:33:02 GMT

23 years ago I had puppp. I was 4 days short of my due date, but unfortunately my son was 10 days late. My husband had to wrap my legs in cold compresses each morning because I was itching so badly. When diagnosing it, my doctor told me there was good news and bad news. The bad news was that I had pruritis, the good news was that it would go away when I gave birth. It did. I did not have it with my second child.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

susie, hartford, ct — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:59:26 GMT

Another PUPPP victim here - I developed the rash at about 34 weeks pregnant with twins. It started on my abdomen and quickly spread. The itching kept me up all night, in and out of oatmeal baths (with my husband's help because I was too big to get in and out of the tub safely!) My hands became so swollen you couldn't see my knuckles and I could barely bend my fingers. At first the dermatoligist suggested topical ointments but they did nothing, so eventually they put me on something oral - steroids I guess, I don't recall exactly. The rash subsided significantly but continued as a minor nuisance until delivery. It seemed the moment I delivered, it finally cleared up.

Fortunately it did not return with my second pregnancy but every time I got the slightest itch with that pregnancy I found myself running to the doctor just to be sure.

What a miserable experience it was!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Happy Momma, edison, nj — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:00:12 GMT

Finally a name for it!! I got this rash on my legs when my son was about a week old. I thought it was poison ivy and went to the e.r. They just gave me a cream and sent me on my way. It was terribly itchy, and uncomfortable in the early August heat. Thanks

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Cheri Johnson, Evansville, IN — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:50:55 GMT

I had this with my son, and I seriously thought I was going to climb the walls, it itched so badly. Here you are, huge and uncomfortably pregnant, then you get this hideous, intensely itchy rash all over your body-and I mean ALL over. I too begged for an early delivery, but to no avail. I was thrilled he was born 3.5 weeks early- I don't think I could have lasted much longer!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Dave, OK — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:57:13 GMT

My wife had PUPPP related to her first pregnancy. If I remember right, it started at the beginning of the first trimester, and was really mild for most of the remaining pregnancy. The few spots she had were intensely itchy, but vitamin E gel seemed to keep them from growing out of control. Until, that is, the child was born. After the very quick delivery, every part below her chest was full of the blisters within hours. It lasted a month an a half. Witch hazel and steroid creams helped with the itching and pain. Yes, it was painful! Neither of can stand the smell of witch hazel now, not unless the rash is bad. Her second pregnancy, she got the little blisters in her old stretch marks within the first 15 weeks. The prospect of having to deal with something like that for another 6 months was terrifying. We were both still pretty devastated when we learned shortly thereafter that the fetus no longer had a heartbeat.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Azucar, UT — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:04:54 GMT

I've heard it's more common with boys--some theory about the hormones working their way out.

My case of PUPPPS was HORRIFIC, and I got another case with my second baby--if a more mild one. I would itch so badly while sleeping 45 minutes at a time that I would bleed. The nurse in L&D was completely flummoxed that my rash wasn't responding to a 2% steroid cream. A few days after delivery I went to InstaCare and was diagnosed by the doctor on call--who only knew what PUPPSS was because his wife had had it. A course of steroids eventually cleared it up, but the itching was unbelievable--almost more painful, and definitely more persistent than actually having the baby.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Dawn, Nazareth,PA — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:48:03 GMT

I developed PUPP when I was pregnant with my twins. This is almost 21 years ago. I didn't know anyone that ever had PUPP. A rash and large water blisters all over my body. I gained 66lbs. with my twins. I remember PUPP being very itchy and uncomfortable, and looked freaky with these terrible water blisters all over me. I went to a dermatologist and she told me it was PUPP. As the twins were being born the large water blisters just faded right in front of my eyes. It took 1.5 hours to deliver the twins and by that time they were born the rash and water blister were all gone. I was just amazed at how it all just went away.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Debbie McCarten, Bothell, Washington — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:58:40 GMT

I broke out the day after our fourth child was born..and by the time he was 2 months old I was covered head to foot with weeping sticky itchy red bumps. I too feared for my nursing child (this was in 1989). At my postpartum exam the doctor said that such rashes occurred in some women and that it should go away soon. By 8 weeks of no sleep my husband finally took me to the ER where they quickly determined I had advanced scabies---I was curious how I could have such a thing and my new born nursing son and my other 3 children and my husband did not have any...they said it happens and gave me a prescription for this horrid lotion to wash with...I did not fill the Rx. By 4 months I was nearing what I felt was death and finally got an appointment to see a dermitologist and this elderly doctor took one look and said "you have chicken pox"........I said I had chicken pox when I was a kid..he said, well you have it again. I was told it would go away in 2 weeks...I told him that I had had it for 4 months.....................in the end I ate benedryl for the itch and used a steroid cream to help heel the weeping skin and I had this affliction flare up every month for 12 years before it went away. If only it had been PUPPP.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

reciparnuse@embarqmail.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:31:55 GMT

I too had this rash with my first pregnancy. I was luck enough to have a dr that knew exactly how it was and could try and treat it. I remember thinking I was going to scratch this child right out of my abdomin. I am so glad to know that others have had the same thing, I am now pregnant again and hope I do not have a reoccurance. mom of 4 1/2, great meadows, nj

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Darlene, Albion, NY — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:27:57 GMT

I am probably one of the rare few people who had this for my first and second pregnancy 25 and 23 years ago respectively and I had this in my first trimester for both. I also had it on my torso and it extended behind my ears, all of the oozing, itching scratching. Horrible! I was perscribed the topical steriod cream but it was clear that most Dr.'s did not know what I had.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Mary Beck, Austin, Texas — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:28:54 GMT

While pregnant with my son, I had a similar skin condition, but only on my feet and the palms of my hands. When it first showed up on my feet, the OB/GYN shrugged and suggested athlete's foot. Soon my hands and feet were bright red, hot, and MADDENINGLY itchy. I could hardly wear shoes or sleep for the last 6 weeks. It cleared up completely within 24 hours of delivery. Weird.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Mary, Austin, TX — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:00:33 GMT

I did some surfing around, and found that the blistering rash that can recur later with menstruation, which Debbie McC. describes, might not be PUPPP, but instead could be something called "pemphigoid gestationis".

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

SC Arl VA — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:28:13 GMT

I had this pupp after my first pregnancy and it was terrible because no one knew what it was - one Dr said it was scabies - the other said dermatitis - I sent all my clothes to the dry cleaners. Finally, after a few weeks it went away. One Dr prescribed Atavin and it helped.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Gerry V. , New Jersey — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:50:29 GMT

I developed PUPPP within hours of having my first child. This was 16 years ago but I have to say that I agree with everyone here that neither my ob/gyn nor the dermatologist that they called in knew what it was. It was awful!! Incredibly itchy!!! It started in my stretch marks but was all over me within hours. Since they did not know what it was they kept me from my daughter for fear that it was contagious and even kept me in the hospital for an extra day. Eventually they let me hold her but only wearing gloves and with long sleaves. When I was released from the hospital I went and saw another dermatologist and he actually took a biopsy and told me that I might have Lupus! I had to wait a few weeks for the results to come back but finally they told me I had PUPPP. They put me on steroid cream and I was finally able to hold my baby without gloves! I am very surprised and dismayed to find out that doctors still are not able to identify this awful rash! It took about a month to go away but I have to tell you sometimes a few of the hives come back for short periods of time in the stretch marks on my abdomen. Nothing like the first time thank God!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Kathy S Freedom, Pa — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:34:06 GMT

I also had a blistering rash during pregnancy, but was diagnosed as having an allergy to coconut, which I never had before. It does turn out that during pregnancy and after childbirth, when hormones are at their peak, many women develop allergies to things they were never allergic to before. Most of these allergies can last a lifetime as mine has so far. I hope no one ignores this possibility, and just calls it pupps without first investigating it. While most allergies are harmless, some food allergies can be life threatening when they get worse over time.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Anita, Atlanta, GA — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:46:23 GMT

I had this 25 years ago with my first pregnancy. It was terrible and the awful sores on my arms and legs made me look like I had a disease. Nothing helped the intense itching and I almost thought I'd go insane before the baby was born. My ob didn't know what it was and sent me to a dermatologist who didn't know what it was either. They ran a lot of tests, at one point thinking it was a liver disorder, and finally told me that it was more or less an "allergy" to pregnancy. I took steroids, but didn't seem to help much. It went away about a month after the baby was born, but I still have scars. They told me I'd probably have the same thing with all my pregnancies, but I went on to have 3 more babies with no itching whatsoever. I am glad they were wrong about that!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Sarah, CO — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:56:04 GMT

I developed PUPPS 1 week before delivery and as soon as I had my baby girl I exploded with the rash! I remember how upset I was because all I wanted to do was enjoy my new baby but was completely miserable with PUPPS. I suffered for 1 month and had to take the prescribed steroid cream, it went away for 1 month then I got it again but milder. I still have discoloration from the rash and now I have gotten the rash again almost one year later in the same areas of the PUPPS discoloration. Could I be pregnant? Has anyone else been through this? For all those that have PUPPS, I feel so bad for you, it really is the most horrible experience in the world!!

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

lyricallyinclined@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:16:12 GMT

Wow I had this and after being misdiagnosed (doc said I had scabies) I saw a dermatologist who said I had pityriasis rosea which sounds identical to PUPPP...nevertheless it was horrible and I never want to experience it again!
Nikki, Stockton, Ca

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

Emily Toronto — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:42:48 GMT

At first we thought I had PUPPP with my second pg. It was obstetric cholestasis and much more threatening to your health. Get rashes checked out. They can be an indication of something serious.

New mother wonders, "What IS this hideous rash?"

jessie otisco indiana — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:46:44 GMT

i have a ? for anyone who can answer im not posotive that im pregnant.... but i have this weird rash around mi bellybutton and i keep throwing up.... sleepin alot.... if u can help me msg me at lovejessierae@live.com or zolljr@att.net thanx people please help....