Have you heard of PUPPPs rash? Let’s talk about it.
PUPPPs is short for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. It’s one of those conditions that you’d likely only ever wish on your worst enemy. It’s terrible, but I found natural remedies to manage the discomfort and clear it up before delivery day.
What Is PUPPPs Rash?
PUPPPs rash is very itchy and very annoying. The good news is that it is not harmful to the baby. Be sure to consult your doctor or midwife to rule out cholestasis, which is dangerous to the baby.
When the rash first started, it was a small patch on my lower abdomen. I thought that with the weather warming up; it was simply a heat rash. But then, the rash started to spread. It spread around my abdomen, lower back, upper arms, and legs. Basically, it spread to all the worst places.
After some research, I discovered PUPPPs. (Note: Do not search images of rashes unless you’re mentally prepared.) However, most of the information online suggested that the condition showed up during the third trimester and would go away after the baby was born. I was only 18 weeks along at that point and could not fathom 22 more weeks of the terrible rash! After my doctor agreed that it was likely PUPPPs, I was bound and determined to find a way to get rid of it.
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How to Manage PUPPPs Rash
Clearing up PUPPPs rash takes patience and perseverance. It’s not an overnight cure. My rash took about four weeks to clear up from the time that I started to really take steps to manage it. I took doctor-recommended benadryl for the first two weeks before bed to help with the nighttime itching. Also, I used up nearly three tubes of extra-strength cortisone cream to help with the itching. I tried lavender and peppermint essential oils. All these remedies provided minimal relief, but no signs of clearing up the rash.
It wasn’t until I took a natural approach — healing from the inside out — that I really started to see improvement with my rashes.
I’m happy to report that my PUPPPs rash has cleared up. It lasted for nearly six weeks from beginning to its disappearance. I can’t say with full confidence that any or all of these natural remedies will work for your PUPPPs rash, but considering how irritating and inconvenient the rash is, it might be worth a shot to try one or all of these remedies.
1. Pine Tar Soap
This is probably the most recommended PUPPPs relief remedy. You can find pine tar soap from The Grandpa’s Soap Company on Amazon or at Sprouts. I do have to warn you that it smells like a campfire, but the smell dissipates over time. The recommendation is to form suds, then spread the soap suds over your rashes. Let the suds sit on your skin for at least five minutes, 10 is better. Rinse off with cool water. I did this about three-to-four times a day (usually after waking up in the morning, during nap time, and before bed) and eventually decreased to once a day.
2. Lukewarm Baking Soda Baths
Most general “rash advice” suggests taking oatmeal baths. I found this to be ineffective, but a baking soda bath — sweet relief! Dissolve one cup of baking soda in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water, and soak for about 30 – 45 minutes. I took this time as a good excuse to watch something on Netflix, and suggest you do, too.
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3. Black Cherry Juice
I know, this seems totally random. However, I feel like this was one remedy that really had an impact on my rash. I’m not sure what black cherry juice contains that makes it effective with this rash, but I drank an eight-ounce glass daily for five weeks. I found black cherry juice at Kroger in the natural foods section under the Simple Truth brand.
4. Liver-Friendly Smoothies
While PUPPPs rash’s cause is undetermined, there is a theory that it could be related to liver function. There’s no harm in drinking a fruit smoothie, so I gave it a try. I drank one smoothie a day for two weeks, and then one smoothie every other day.
Liver-Friendly Smoothie Recipe
- 1 banana
- 1 packet frozen Pitaya Dragonfruit (found at Kroger and Sprouts)
- 1/2 – 1 cup frozen wild blueberries (available at Sprouts)
- 1 cup additional fruit of choice (I chose frozen mango)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- Blend. If too thick, add water. Blend again and enjoy.
5. Cutting Dairy and Refined Sugars
Leading up to getting the rash, I was indulging more than usual in dairy (hello cheese and ice cream!) and sweets (hello cookies and cake!) I blame the pandemic and stress baking. Once I cut my cheese consumption and switched to non-dairy ice cream, my symptoms seemed to ease.
I hope that if you’re pregnant, you never have to experience PUPPPs rash. But if you’re one of the “lucky” ones, I hope that one or a few of these remedies help to calm your symptoms or clear the rash up completely.
