It's Confirmed. I have PUPPP

PUPPP is the abbreviation for a skin condition called "Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy". Loosely translated to - rashes which spreads like wildfire to your entire body and will somehow merge together forming a large patch of angry raised red blob which makes your skin even itchier and there is nothing you can do about it. Unless if you induce labor. 

And no, I am not exaggerating.
And neither am I being a drama queen about it.

That's not Goggle image. That's my actual skin with PUPPP.  

For those who has been faithfully following my blog, you will know that ever since my Sydney trip, I had suddenly developed this mysterious itch and rash condition that wont seem to heal. So, to satisfy my curiosity (and worrying), I finally took half-day off today and went to see a skin specialist, Dr Koh in Damansara Uptown (he is highly recommended by the way), and one look at my condition he diagnosed that I have PUPPP. All in less than 10 minutes. :(

It all started from my abdomen area.

So what the hell is PUPPP? 

(I have on my own done a lot of research on this)  

- It affects 1 in every 150 pregnancies (guess I am the "lucky" one)
- Usually occurs in the last trimester.
- Usually develops in the first pregnancy.
- Prone to those who are carrying multiples.
- Poses no risk to the mummy and baby.
- 70% of women who has PUPPP give birth to boys.

What causes PUPPP?

The cause is really unknown but some theory suggest that the male fetal DNA acts as a skin irritant and invades the mother's skin during pregnancy, causing PUPPP (that explains why mummies who suffer from PUPPP generally carry baby boys). Well, Dr Koh explained that it could be a case whereby my body takes the baby as a "foreign object" (don't worry, mummy still love you baby bear) and hence, it is the body's adverse reaction towards the "object". 

T_T Need I say more?

What you should know about PUPPP?
- It will miraculously go away once you deliver your baby.
- There is nothing you can do about it until after delivery.
- There is no cure for PUPPP.
- There won't be scars (unless if you over-scratched).

- The rash will spread, but usually below your breast area up to your thighs. Basically area surrounding the baby. And thank God, it won't attack your face. 

What are the symptoms of PUPPP?
- Usually develops at your abdomen area then only starts spreading.
- Itches like mad.
- Can be "prickly" like heat rash.
- The rashes will "merge" and forms a large reddish patch.
- The area where the rash is present feels like sandpaper when you touch.

How PUPPP started to invade my life suddenly?

It all started from my abdomen area (which had since healed), which spread to my thighs area (healed as well), and then started spreading to my entire back - from my bra-line all the way to my buttocks. Now my groin already is infected with this stupid PUPPP as well. 

What can you do to relieve the itch?

In extreme cases, some mummies will induce labor. Or the doctor will prescribe oral steroids (which can be harmful to your baby, so it's best to consult your gynecologist).  

For me, what I do is: 

- Take anti-histamine (Piriton prescribed by Dr Delilah).

- Use Efficort (contains very mild  steroids prescribed by Dr Koh).

- Moisturize constantly using Bio-Oil and Pureen Stretch Mark cream. 

- Use Dettol Menthol powder as it gives a cooling effect.

- Bath in cold water as frequently as I can. 

- Use Aqua Dermis to bath (soap that is not "too hard" on the skin).

- Stay dry. 

- Try not to go to hot and humid places, it will aggravate the itch.   

Anti-histamin and Efficort cream

Bio-Oil and Pureen Stretch Mark Cream

Calamine lotion doesn't work for me. And I can't use Sebamed as well because it burns my skin. I have read online though that supplements such as Dandelion Roots and Flaxseed Oil seems to help with the itch and to control the rashes. I am tempted to try but I dare not simply because I am pregnant. 

Although I feel very sakit hati why I suddenly develop this stupid PUPPP, I still try to keep positive by reminding myself that :

- I am only 2 months away to delivery.

- It is only temporal. 

- Some mummies PUPPP is far worse than mine. 

- It doesn't attack my pretty face. 

- Still no stretch marks :)
- No scarring.

And most importantly, seeing that my baby boy is healthy and safe makes it all worth it. So yeah, am gonna stop here because the itch is getting into me again and I need to get to my precious powder asap !!

The things a mother would go through for her child .. it's amazing. 

Ah Boy, next time you better not be naughty, see what mummy have to go through for you? T_T

Suffering from Severe Itch :(
Mummy Geri

Pregnancy Woe! I've Been Attacked by Rashes

Remember my horrific skin problem ?? 

It's now back! With a vengeance. T_T

I've suddenly developed this ugly rash all over the sides of my body, all the way up to my bra-line,  all the way down to my waist and groin area. T_T

The itch needless to say is unbearable at times. T_T

It's like .. having measles alllllllll over again!! T_T

Rash at the sides

Got a bit worried and hurried to Dr Delaila and she said it is pregnancy related - the skin condition is called pregnancy dermatitis (or something along that line). And most likely I will get it in my subsequent pregnancies *in denial*. 

AND IT WILL ONLY GO OFF ONCE I DELIVER. T_T  T_T

Can't be helped. It's those pregnancy hormones again.

On a consolation, I have seen Google other skin conditions which are pregnancy related and they are far worst off than me. So in a way, I should be thankful (?!)

Anyway, right now all I can do is take anti-histamines and apply Eurax cream to stop the itch and hopefully prevent me from scratching (as per Dr Delaila's recommendation). I am praying hard that it will go away soon. :(

It's everywhere!!

Meanwhile, on my own I am still applying my Bio Oil and Pureen Stretch Mark cream dilligently because it does help get rid of the itchiness temporarily. Well, at least it will help with the moisturizing and hopefully prevent scarring. 

Powder and calamine lotion are my constant companion now.

p/s: doesn't help that our Malaysian weather is hot too. :( :( :(:(:(

p/p/s: will probably head to the dermatologist to seek for a second opinion this weekend. 

Why ME??!?!!

Emofied Mummy Geri

Review : Thank God for Bio-Oil T_T

When I was in Sydney due to the cold and dry weather, my skin on the side of my tummy and upper hips area started developing rashes and it became itchy, and then I started scratching them, and then it became more itchy, and then I started scratching more, and then it became dry, peel-y, and had developed into a gigantic blob of massive rashes and an angry patch.  And it was STILL itchy!

It. Was. Horrible. !!! T_T

Angry blob of rashes at the side of my tummy.
Imagine these on both sides of my tummy and my upper hips area!!
T_T

It's like.. it's like.. I had a had case of eczema. Trust me, I know how unsightly it can be and how long it takes to heal. I had mysteriously experienced that before when I was in college/university on my legs (no known reason or caused on why/how it happened) and it was a social embarrassment to wear anything that doesn't cover your entire legs. T_T

Looking at the picture, at that time my mind went into overdrive and I thought it was the beginning of a psoriasis. I was on the brink of hysteria. *drama queen* :( 

So diligently, while I was there, I started applying lotion (Thank God we bought one bottle there) to moisturise the area and restrain myself to not scratch it. It takes a whole load of steely willpower to stop myself from scratching. 

And I must say I did a pretty good job (due credit ought to be given ok! :p) because after a few days the angry patch started to subside. And so I continued applying the lotion generously to the affected area. 

At around this time, I started to send distress Whatsapp messages to my Mum back home asking for help. She suggested to use Bio-Oil and mix it together with my lotion and apply to the affected area because it has healing properties and will help sooth the affected area. 

So the minute I touch down in PJ, I immediately went to the pharmacy and got my hands on the Bio-Oil. I used the Pureen Stretch Mark cream and together with 2-3 drops of the Bio-Oil, mix it together before applying to the rash area.

Winning combination!

And voila~ I was soooooooooooooo relieved that the angry marks starts to go away and upon application it was so soothing that I don't feel itchy anymore. Look at the stark difference it makes!! My Mum is God-sent I tell you. :)

Of course, due to the intense and pretty bad condition of the rash, the red patch has inevitably turned into a dark patch - almost like a case of pigmentation. :( *sakit hati* 

However, since Bio-Oil has properties which will reduce the appearance of scars and uneven skin tone (according to its website), I have been continuously using it together with my Pureen Stretch Mark cream. At the moment, it does look that the patch is getting lighter (phew!) after only 2 days of application. So we shall see how it goes.

In conclusion, do not simply scratch yourself Bio-Oil really does work and is worth being given a try. 

p/s: and yes.. at 7 months I still don't have stretch marks except for those damn dark patch! (thank you good genes!) 

Love;

Mummy Geri

Review: Remove Your Make-Up without Scrubbing Your Face Off

Now most of us uses foundation and water-proof make-up especially for mascaras and eyeliners. Yes, it looks good and stays on your face the whole day with minimal smearing. Which also means that when it is time to wash it off, it can be a b**ch to do so as well.

I know your predicaments. I have tried many brands (most of them I tried halfway and then threw it away because it doesn't work) from oil-base to water-base to those wipes. None of them cleans your face entirely and somehow you still feel "dirty" with residue of make-up still stuck. Either that, or you would have to scrub it off (literally) until your face becomes sore. -_-"

For some time now I have been taking the easy way out by using Johnson baby oil. I don't recommend this because at the end of the day, you face is darn oily despite washing it off with cleanser. Thank God I didn't experience massive outbreaks ok. phew~

And then, the revelation came (in the form of my mum), and she recommended these two wonder-products which I have been using ever since. And yes, by now you know that I am quite kiamsap a thrifty person so it doesn't cost a bomb. :)

(1) Loreal Gentle Lip and Eye Make-Up Remover (less than RM30).

This product is damn awesome ok!! The upper dark blue layer is oil, and the lower light blue area is erm.. I don't know. You shake it, and then squeeze a little on the cotton pad. Place it on your eye and hold it for a few seconds. Then gently swipe... voila~ you will be amaze that most of your waterproof eye-makeup will be removed. Almost instantly. Amazing~!

(2) Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Milk (less than RM20).

For your foundation, just squeeze onto the cotton pad and gentle wipe your face. Then, you can proceed to clean it off with our normal facial cleanser. What I love about this product is that it is very moisturising and is not oily. It is milky and your face would definately feel very hydrated - it somehows retains the moisture in. Most importantly, it doest the job very well! :)

So yup, that's my two not-so-expensive secrets to make-up removing. I strongly recommend that you use them together. Both products are very gentle on the face and your eye area (very sensitive area!). And it works! :D

Love;

Mrs Lee

101 : Skin Care

Believe or not, I never knew what's with the fuss of people going through the tedious process of skincare and forking out tons of money for the products/facial. I guess all along I've been blessed with extremely good skin (good genes) and I've never bothered to take care of them until ... I was bambu by my colleague. -__-

She was going on and on about having wrinkly and age-spots face when I am older if I don't take care of them now etc etc. And I will lose my "face-glow" whatever that means. O_o"

My facial regime is facial cleanser (any brand that is cheap from Watson/Guardian). That's all. I am very quite suaku and I don't even know what's a toner for. Ok, you may proceed to snicker.

Over a short lunch period session, I was given a crash-course on basic skincare. And I've been religiously following my new regime ever since. Now for those who has relatively good skin, you need not splash on expensive products, (so-called) mediocre products are good enough in my opinion. Trust me when I said my skin was sensitive to Estee Lauder's moisturiser (itch like mad!). So girls, expensive need not mean it is suitable for your skin.

Just my two cents' worth of advice la. *shrug*

For those suaku like me, I shall share my simple and basic skincare tips.

(1) Cleanser - Garnier (less than RM20)

I've been using Garnier for the longest time ever. I love their lemon-y scent and to me it does the job perfectly well, so no need to change brands. 

(2) Toner - Neutrogena (RM19)

I have never ever used a toner before and my colleague gave me the wtf look. The lecture which I got from her was not pleasant at all. I even asked whether if I need to wash it off -_-" (I really thought I need to la!!). She recommended this brand, cheap and good in her words. To me, so long as it doesn't memedihkan my face then it's ok for me. So far so good la.

(3) Sunblock - Vaseline spf 30 (less than RM20)

This is useful not only when you go to the beach. So I learnt that you have to apply as base before putting on your full-on makeup. Apparently no matter where you go, you will get UV rays hence will destroy your face. Or something like that la. I was recommended to use Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Sunblock, but the orange-y smell of Vaseline (yes by now, you would realise I am a sucker for nice smelling products) is too tempting to not buy! I only go through this step in the day time, at night you may skip this step .. unless if you think that flouresant lights in the room or the moon emits UV rays la 0_o

In case if you wanna know, this brand is pretty good in the sense that it is not sticky and doesn't smell sunblock~y if you know what I mean. [p/s: actually what's the correct spf you should get?]

(4) Moisturiser - Odbo Aqua Moisturiser (bought from Korea at RM80)
Yes yes I know I said I won't but expensive stuff but this one was back in 2010 during my honeymoon in Korea that I tangan gatal went and buy with my husband's money *impulse buying* sekali bought two tubes some more hehehe ~ I like it that the moisturiser will dissolve into water-like liquid once you apply on your face. Can't stand sticky products! urgh ~

(5) Eye Cream - Odbo (bought from Korea .. forgot the pricing)
I only use this in the night because I damn malas :p Apparently will help reduce under-eye bags la.. but in my case, it is pretty severe so I don't know if it will work or not. *I blame you TVB!!!!*

To recap:
Morning - Cleanse, Tone, Sunblock, Moisturise, Make-up
Evening - Make-up Remover, Cleanse, Tone
Night - Moisturise, Eye Cream

And that's my new facial regime at this point in time. Surprisingly it doesn't take too long. I know I know there is the facial scrub and mask which I skip. Cut me some slack, I'm a newbie! -_- Too many things and steps for me to remember!

Love;
Mrs Lee