Q: My 26 years old wife is into her fifth month of pregnancy. She has been diagnosed with PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy) by a dermatologist. The rashes are pretty intense and have spread throughout the abdomen, thighs, legs and arms. She is taking anti-histamine tablets and applying lot of creams on the affected areas. But, this hasn't helped much. She experiences severe itching at night. Could you please advise any medicine/cream to cure itching? How long will the itching last?

A:PUPPP may last even a few weeks post-delivery. Chlorpheniramine / polaramine / mebryl tabs are relatively safe & effective for controlling itching. Topical / oral steroids may be added if the lesions do not come under control.