[Crodka]

I ended up with an 'emergency' c section last Wednesday. Baby nor me was in distress, just cervix wouldnt open any more. When getting put back I had a floppy uterus and was given a shot of something that made me sick, as it also makes everyone sick anaethitist said. I was also pumped with antibiotics as my temp was going up. I was pretty dazed but not asleep. In recovery I had full shakes and was cold.
I am now covered in what Dr thought is eczema. Midwife says allergic reaction. Antihistamine doesnt seem to be doing a lot. Its gone from my stomach to back and bum, with little bits on arms, and my chin seems to have some now. I could scratch all day. Tramadol, Panadol, Ibprofen are my pain meds.

I've never had many skin problems so this is really unusual. I know hormones are going crazy and my body has been put through a lot of stress, but if I can get some advice on how to relieve this.

[CherryAmes]

Definitly sounds like an allergic reaction - it would be good to find out what from, for next time - maybe get your hospital notes and go through them with your GP in order to find out what it is likely to be.

Congratulations on your new baby.

[chocolatecrackle]

I agree that it sounds like an allergic reaction, maybe to a dressing or even whatever they used to swab your skin before making the incision. If the antihistamines aren't working, you could ask the chemist if there's a different kind compatible with your pain relief and breastfeeding, and also see if there's a hydrocortisone cream you can get over the counter. If that doesn't work, I'd suggest you go off to the GP to get something stronger.

I hope it settles down soon - itchiness is awful. Congratulations on your new bub

[Di-NO-ZO]

Hi Crodka, firstly congratulations on the arrival of your little one. A very similar thing happened to me after my emergency c-section. I had contact rash from the tape holding the epidural in and then a nasty rash they think *might* have been from the alcohol wash they used on my back, but it spread to my butt, thighs and stomach. I also got the shakes and temp drop in recovery too!

My skin went super sensitive and over the next few weeks everything I touched gave me eczema.

I was taking an oral antihistamine as well as using a topical ointment prescribed by my dr (most people i know use and swear by Advantin, but i'm allergic to it!). Also I sent DH out to buy super gentle wash for showering (Cetaphil & QV are ones i've used, think you can only buy them from pharmacies). They don't help the eczema but don't aggravate it any further.

Not sure if any of that will help, but i hope it clears up for you really soon. Mine drove me nuts for about 2 weeks, but then started settling after that and my skin went back to normal about 4-5 weeks post birth.

[Mayanme+1]

Sounds like how I react to penicillin.

Can't suggest anything else to help sorry. Mine went away when the penicillin was out of my system.

Congratualtons on your baby and I hope youo feel better soon.

[librablonde]

Definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. If antihistamines aren't working, then as a last resort try having oatmeal baths to calm the itch until your poor body can get it's balance back. Just put a couple of cups of rolled oats (cheapest brand is fine) into the cut-off leg of an old pantyhose and tie it up the top. Chuck the oat "sausage" into the warm bath and let it sit there for 10 mins while it goes soft and slimey inside the pantyhose. The get in the bath and soak, and use the oat sausage as a bar of soap. The white-ish slimey starch is the stuff that helps calm the itch. Spread the slime over the itchiest parts and let it sit there while you relax in the bath. You can re-use this sausage 2 or 3 times before needing to throw it out and make a new one. Doing this saved my skin and sanity when I had an allergic reaction and was covered scalp to ankles in hives.

[Crodka]

Well its going away so must have been something from surgery or in the hospital.
Feel much better.