The PUPPP rash is a common skin condition that is scientifically labled pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) that plagues pregnant women. The symptoms of the PUPPP rash include extreme itching, warp-like bumps/lesions (papules) that can cover the entire body, extreme irritation, and redness. These symptoms appear to be consistent among those who have experienced the PUPPP rash.
The PUPPP rash typically develops during a woman’s first pregnancy, most often in the third trimester. For many, the rash fades shortly after delivery. However, some women continue to experience symptoms for months postpartum, sometimes up to four or five months. When PUPPP persists after birth, it’s believed to be linked to lingering placental cells that take time for the body to fully clear.
The PUPPP rash generally starts on the abdomen and can cover the entire body in some cases. The only parts of the body that are not invaded by the PUPPP rash are the face, the palm of the hands, and the sole of the feet. Some women are lucky enough to only have the rash cover their abdomens. The majorities of the cases I have read about were extreme and completely covered everything but the face, hands, and feet.
Pregnant women who get the PUPPP rash are not likely to have it occur more than once. So, future pregnancies should not be plagued by the PUPPP rash. If it occurs during a future pregnancy, it should be much milder than the initial experience.
Fortunately, the PUPPP rash is harmless to the mother and baby; however, there have been reports of babies getting PUPPP with mild symptoms. It usually went away quickly. It is rare for babies to get the PUPPP rash.
While PUPPP may be harmless, it should be treated immediately to avoid prolonged discomfort and irritation. The intense irritation caused by PUPPP can wreak havoc on a mother who is already not getting much sleep because she’s tending to a newborn baby and because of the irritation caused by PUPPP. Some mothers have reported that the irritation alone is enough to make you lose your mind. Some have reported coming very close to losing their minds. Losing your mind or coming close to it, is very dangerous. It’s dangerous enough for there to be more research and a cure for PUPPP by now.