Itchy belly

odd · Jun 27th, 2008, 10:58 PM

i'm now about 5 1/2 months preggie, and my belly (top, bottom, across, allover practically) started to itch last week. my mom told not to scratch or else the skin will get dark, which i dismissed as an old wives' tale. maybe there is some truth to it because the area i scratched is very slightly darkened. i was told by my coworkers that the itchiness was normal and is a sign of my skin stretching as my baby grows.

the linea negra had already formed on my belly a couple of weeks ago, a bit thicker from my belly button down, and the from the top is a thinner line (slightly uncentered though...lol). the line below my belly is a bit itchy at times.

the weird thing was last night, other places got itchy...my boobs, palm of my hand, my back and sides. i couldn't sleep and tried so hard not to scratch. it was almost unbearable. i wonder if my new sleep bra had something to do with my boobs, sides, back itching.

lately, i've been using this cream called belly smooches after i shower. it feels really good but only works for a short time to relieve the itch. now, i'm trying curel's pregnancy cream in the tube, which seems to be working better.

anyone else been in the same boat, whether it be belly itch or elsewhere, during pregnancy? what worked for you?

thanks all!

gina8521 · Jun 27th, 2008, 11:53 PM

I swore by shea butter & vitamin E when I was pregnant. The combo was the only thing that stopped me from itching. Good Luck, I hope you find something that helps.

katkooty · Jun 28th, 2008, 04:56 AM

dont itch cause it causes stretch marks.... what my friend did was that she kept a cold pack in the freezer and everytime her stomach itched, she just put it on it so she wouldnt itch and now, after twins, not a single mark on her tummy.... i havent reached the stage where my stomach itches but i kept a cold pack in my fridge just in case

kittenslingerie · Jun 28th, 2008, 09:48 AM

Try not to itch, although since you already have not sure it matters. I've read that the skin fibers are stetching and getting weaker so itching them will cause damage-resulting in stretch marks. I am 6 months and have an occasional itch. I just ignore it(its hard but can be done) or I lightly rub my fingertips on the area for a few seconds which helps a bit. I also use Tummy Honey lotion which has an anti itch effect.

candy2100 · Jun 28th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Boy, I remember that! that was probably the most uncomfortable thing I remember about being pregnant. I agree with the lotion and oil rubbing suggestions (And the cold pack- that's a great idea), but at a certain point you have to make peace with the fact that stretch marks, like wrinkles are very strongly governed by genetics. My grandmother and mother have stretch marks in the same places and degree of severity as I do!

emmalawyer · Jun 28th, 2008, 12:36 PM

I used Mustela Special Maternity ultimate hydration. I'm still using it now (almost 5 months later) because it's the best moisturizer I've ever used. It's very very lightly scented which I appreciated during my pregnancy. I did not get any stretch marks on my stomach but I doubt that has all that much to do with this moisturizer; I think skin elasticity and predisposition toward stretch marks correlates most strongly with genetics. I did get a couple of stretch marks on my inner thighs but they have faded now so I actually have to look for them (which I'd rather not!) if I want to see them and bum myself out...

PurseFanatic · Jun 28th, 2008, 07:13 PM

I thought stretch marks were caused by genetics and you couldn't do anything to avoid them?

I use Avon's skin so soft and some of their other lotions, that has helped me so far, although I'm not that far along, and have only had very minor itching.

Amberini · Jun 28th, 2008, 08:06 PM

I suggest Palmers Cocoa Butter, there's three types I suggest, the original (blue label), if you don't like that (some people get put off by the smell, but I love it), there's the olive butter one (green label), and the final, blue label for stretch marks etc.

I find the coolness of it relieves itching whilst helping prevent strech marks and smelling lovely :)

GL!

addicted2chanel · Jun 28th, 2008, 09:24 PM

The only thing I can tell you is don't itch and slather on the lotion like your life depends on it!!!

ilovepinkhearts · Jun 29th, 2008, 04:02 PM

ok...do you have any marks on your body...like little bumps. they are a light red and they normally start in your stretch marks on your belly and then spreads. if so, it's a horrible terrible hormone induced rash called PUPPS. and there is nothing that can be done for it. so i hope that you don't have it. i suffered through it with my first and i would just sit on the couch and cry and scratch. i was given steroids and creams and oatmeal baths and more creams. the only thing that cured it was having my baby. i seriously sat in bed and watched the rash fade away after the birth. it was CRAZY!

mjlover1977 · Jun 29th, 2008, 07:53 PM

how come scratching will give u marks?? sorry, ive not been preggers and although ive hear you get itchy cause the skin is stretching, i didnt realise that scratching made it worse?

carvedwords · Jun 30th, 2008, 03:06 AM

I remember when I itched like crazy and I didn't scratch and then boom stretch marks everywhere. That was the worse part because it happened one month before I gave birth. I thought I was clear. It figures it would happen to me.

BagsAreMyBabies · Jun 30th, 2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carvedwords

I remember when I itched like crazy and I didn't scratch and then boom stretch marks everywhere. That was the worse part because it happened one month before I gave birth. I thought I was clear. It figures it would happen to me.

Ugh, this is exactly what happened to me too. I thought i was all in the clear and then BAM! I am still holding out hope that I haven't gotten any yet (this time around).

To the OP - I thought Palmers was useless, personally and so was Mustela. I am using Vitamin E Oil from Trader Joes and it really seems to be working well but I put it on at night and then use regular lotion by Crabtree and Evelyn in the morning so that I don't get oil on my clothes.

KC1984 · Jun 30th, 2008, 08:17 AM

Hiya,

I remember my tummy itching a fair bit - I did try not to because of the stretch mark worries.

My friend really suffered with itching when she was pregnant (& I don't think for a minute you have this but thought I'd let you know you just so you know it existists) she had a problem with her liver that only occurs in pregnancy which presents it's self through really really itchy skin.

Hope it stops soon - I can remember how anoying it was!

katkooty · Jun 30th, 2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjlover1977

how come scratching will give u marks?? sorry, ive not been preggers and although ive hear you get itchy cause the skin is stretching, i didnt realise that scratching made it worse?

well.. the itchiness is cause your skin is stretching so much in such a small period of time and if u scratch it... u damage the cells.. like lets say u have this blown up balloon..and u scratch it, its more prone to being damaged than a balloon thats deflated.kwim? im not comparing our bellies to balloons but i did read somewhere that when ur skin is already so stretched and you scratch it, u just start damaging ur cells so u are prone to getting more severe stretch marks....

Jun 27th, 2008, 10:58 PM	#1
odd Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Gateway to the Napa Valley Posts: 973	Itchy belly i'm now about 5 1/2 months preggie, and my belly (top, bottom, across, allover practically) started to itch last week. my mom told not to scratch or else the skin will get dark, which i dismissed as an old wives' tale. maybe there is some truth to it because the area i scratched is very slightly darkened. i was told by my coworkers that the itchiness was normal and is a sign of my skin stretching as my baby grows. the linea negra had already formed on my belly a couple of weeks ago, a bit thicker from my belly button down, and the from the top is a thinner line (slightly uncentered though...lol). the line below my belly is a bit itchy at times. the weird thing was last night, other places got itchy...my boobs, palm of my hand, my back and sides. i couldn't sleep and tried so hard not to scratch. it was almost unbearable. i wonder if my new sleep bra had something to do with my boobs, sides, back itching. lately, i've been using this cream called belly smooches after i shower. it feels really good but only works for a short time to relieve the itch. now, i'm trying curel's pregnancy cream in the tube, which seems to be working better. anyone else been in the same boat, whether it be belly itch or elsewhere, during pregnancy? what worked for you? thanks all! __________________

Jun 28th, 2008, 09:48 AM	#4
kittenslingerie Bag Ban Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,257	Try not to itch, although since you already have not sure it matters. I've read that the skin fibers are stetching and getting weaker so itching them will cause damage-resulting in stretch marks. I am 6 months and have an occasional itch. I just ignore it(its hard but can be done) or I lightly rub my fingertips on the area for a few seconds which helps a bit. I also use Tummy Honey lotion which has an anti itch effect. __________________ My 3 Babies!

Jun 28th, 2008, 12:36 PM	#6
emmalawyer BLITHERING FOOL Joined: Oct 2006 Location: with the teething twins! Posts: 788	I used Mustela Special Maternity ultimate hydration. I'm still using it now (almost 5 months later) because it's the best moisturizer I've ever used. It's very very lightly scented which I appreciated during my pregnancy. I did not get any stretch marks on my stomach but I doubt that has all that much to do with this moisturizer; I think skin elasticity and predisposition toward stretch marks correlates most strongly with genetics. I did get a couple of stretch marks on my inner thighs but they have faded now so I actually have to look for them (which I'd rather not!) if I want to see them and bum myself out... __________________ signature too large “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” --Dr. Seuss ( lil Bitsy's favorite bedtime reading)

Jun 28th, 2008, 07:13 PM	#7
PurseFanatic Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,683	I thought stretch marks were caused by genetics and you couldn't do anything to avoid them? I use Avon's skin so soft and some of their other lotions, that has helped me so far, although I'm not that far along, and have only had very minor itching. __________________ My sweetie's latest ultrasound pic It's a girl!! I'm due December 28!

Jun 28th, 2008, 08:06 PM	#8
Amberini Member Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Nottinghamshire, UK Posts: 357	I suggest Palmers Cocoa Butter, there's three types I suggest, the original (blue label), if you don't like that (some people get put off by the smell, but I love it), there's the olive butter one (green label), and the final, blue label for stretch marks etc. I find the coolness of it relieves itching whilst helping prevent strech marks and smelling lovely :) GL! __________________ Fashion fades, style is eternal - Yves Saint Laurent Family so far: Marc By Marc Jacobs Aline leather tote Mulberry Roxanne Vinyl Tote Wish list: Chanel Classic Jumbo Flap w/ gold hardware Chanel Medallion Tote Mulberry Patent Black Bayswater - For my mummy My new favourite smiley - Note to self: Must not overuse new favourite smiley.

Jun 27th, 2008, 11:53 PM	#2
gina8521 Member Joined: May 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 546	I swore by shea butter & vitamin E when I was pregnant. The combo was the only thing that stopped me from itching. Good Luck, I hope you find something that helps.

Jun 28th, 2008, 04:56 AM	#3
katkooty Member Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 248	dont itch cause it causes stretch marks.... what my friend did was that she kept a cold pack in the freezer and everytime her stomach itched, she just put it on it so she wouldnt itch and now, after twins, not a single mark on her tummy.... i havent reached the stage where my stomach itches but i kept a cold pack in my fridge just in case

Jun 28th, 2008, 12:14 PM	#5
candy2100 Member Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Fantasyland Posts: 427	Boy, I remember that! that was probably the most uncomfortable thing I remember about being pregnant. I agree with the lotion and oil rubbing suggestions (And the cold pack- that's a great idea), but at a certain point you have to make peace with the fact that stretch marks, like wrinkles are very strongly governed by genetics. My grandmother and mother have stretch marks in the same places and degree of severity as I do!

Jun 28th, 2008, 09:24 PM	#9
addicted2chanel Chanel not war Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,344	The only thing I can tell you is don't itch and slather on the lotion like your life depends on it!!! __________________ I want a rainbow of Jumbos Wishlist: Chanel royal patchwork Chanel python soft and chain (I can only hope) Chanel black soft and chain flap Chanel purple Lambskin Jumbo Chanel white Caviar Jumbo Chanel pink Lambskin Jumbo Chanel beige PST

Jun 29th, 2008, 04:02 PM	#10
ilovepinkhearts hi, i'm danielle Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 926	ok...do you have any marks on your body...like little bumps. they are a light red and they normally start in your stretch marks on your belly and then spreads. if so, it's a horrible terrible hormone induced rash called PUPPS. and there is nothing that can be done for it. so i hope that you don't have it. i suffered through it with my first and i would just sit on the couch and cry and scratch. i was given steroids and creams and oatmeal baths and more creams. the only thing that cured it was having my baby. i seriously sat in bed and watched the rash fade away after the birth. it was CRAZY! __________________ i love pink - i love coach - i love anything coach in pink

Jun 29th, 2008, 07:53 PM	#11
mjlover1977 broke Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,188	how come scratching will give u marks?? sorry, ive not been preggers and although ive hear you get itchy cause the skin is stretching, i didnt realise that scratching made it worse? __________________ my lil bag collection chloe silver silverado LV mono speedy 25 Balenciaga ink shoulder LV Amarante large cles Marc Jacobs emerald green elastic stam Chloe tan paddington Chanel black mini flap Balenciaga french blue city with GGH Prada dark brown cervo lux medium tote miu miu metallic purple small matelasse MBMJ midnight terri Marc Jacobs black quilted banana hobo Marc Jacobs black icey little stam

Jun 30th, 2008, 03:06 AM	#12
carvedwords ♥ Joined: Apr 2007 Location: beautiful Southern California! Posts: 2,743	I remember when I itched like crazy and I didn't scratch and then boom stretch marks everywhere. That was the worse part because it happened one month before I gave birth. I thought I was clear. It figures it would happen to me. __________________ WISHLIST: ... LV Mahina Noir XL (HOLYYYYY GRAIILLLLL!!!!) ... LV Galliera GM ... LV Nimbus Perle GM ... LV Greta GM ... LV Pomme Rodeo Drive

Jun 30th, 2008, 08:17 AM	#14
KC1984 Member Joined: Mar 2008 Location: In my own little World Posts: 325	Hiya, I remember my tummy itching a fair bit - I did try not to because of the stretch mark worries. My friend really suffered with itching when she was pregnant (& I don't think for a minute you have this but thought I'd let you know you just so you know it existists) she had a problem with her liver that only occurs in pregnancy which presents it's self through really really itchy skin. Hope it stops soon - I can remember how anoying it was!