What causes itchy water bumps in a pregnant woman?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 28-year-old female, weigh 141 pounds, and am five feet tall. I am now 21 weeks pregnant. I have symptoms of skin itching and small water bumps. It has been more than 10 days. My gynecologist suggested using Calora vitamin E lotion, but my body has not fully recovered from this. I have been using Permethrin lotion 5% for the last three days. It has not recovered fully. New water bumps are appearing only on the exposed parts of the legs and arms.

Please suggest what to do.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Based on your description, one common possibility is scabies, which can manifest as small, itchy, fluid-filled bumps, especially on exposed areas.

While Permethrin is the appropriate treatment for scabies, it must be applied thoroughly to the entire body (from the neck down), left on for eight to 12 hours, and may need to be repeated after seven days. It is also crucial that all close contacts (family members) are treated simultaneously, and all clothing, bed linens, and towels should be washed in hot water to prevent reinfection.

If scabies is ruled out, other pregnancy-related skin conditions, such as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy or atopic eruption of pregnancy, might be responsible. These conditions are generally benign but can cause significant itching and may require treatment with pregnancy-safe antihistamines like Chlorpheniramine or Cetirizine, if recommended by your doctor, and mild topical corticosteroids (such as Hydrocortisone cream), which are considered safe during pregnancy when used appropriately.

Given that you are still developing new lesions, it is important to follow up with your gynecologist or consult a dermatologist who can confirm the diagnosis, potentially through a skin test, and recommend the appropriate treatment.

In the meantime, try to avoid scratching, keep your skin well-moisturized, and avoid harsh soaps or irritants. Prompt follow-up will help ensure your comfort and safety during your pregnancy.

I hope this helps.