More natural remedies.

I am still trying a natural approach to my pemphigoid gestational, aka itchy rash, not that there are many other options. My latest attempts? Applying a cayenne pepper paste or coconut oil on my rash & going gluten, dairy, soy free. I know someone who has a "holistic guru" due to her autoimmune disease. We do not have the same problem, but he gave her some tips to help me out.

I mix together cayenne pepper, water & a little flour to make a paste. I put that directly on my rash. Yes, it sometimes burns, but the burn feels a million times better than the itch. It also keeps the itch away for quite some time. However, I can't do it very often, as I don't want to burn my skin. I can't remember if I mentioned that I have tried putting olive oil on the rash. He recommended I use coconut oil. Not only directly on my rash, but also when cooking. All of this is super easy. The diet? Not soo much.

I have heard of others going gluten free, but it was never something I looked into. Wow, it's pretty tough. Throw in dairy free as well, and I can't have a lot of my favorite foods. It is easier since it is summertime, and we have lots of fresh veggies. I also have a couple yummy recipes I got from a friend that I will post. Substitute for ice cream? You KNOW I have that!

Scratch that diagnosis.

Both literally & figuratively. It's not PUPPS. I knew it was something uncommon when my OB went to get another OB to take a look, and I heard her comment that she had never seen this condition, only read about it before.

I have an autoimmune disease, gestational pemphigoid. Only about 1 in 50,000 women get this. Awesome odds, huh?

I will have this until delivery, at least. Sometimes it sticks around for months after. The only thing they can do is treat the symptoms. So, I'll keep testing out my natural remedies.

The scariest part is that I have to have weekly ultrasounds to monitor little man. I'm worried, no surprise there.

I have banana peels on my legs.

Literally. It makes it a little difficult to move without making a mess.

We think I have PUPPS, which, in short, is an itchy, hideous rash you get in pregnancy that has no cure, other than delivery, which is when the rash usually disappears.

Basically it itches like crazy and looks disgusting. It is mostly on my inner thighs, but has started to gravitate down my legs and up my belly. I have a few spots on my arms. Honestly, I can deal with the itchiness & pain better than the looks of it. Since it looks nasty, I no longer feel comfortable putting on a bathing suit in front of anyone other than family, and that also means all my dresses will just be hanging in the closet for the time being. I need to go out and buy long dresses to cover my legs. I currently only own 3 long dresses. Target is calling my name. Another bonus? Heat makes it worse.

Oh, back to why I have banana peels on my legs. I am trying some natural remedies I found online, since Benadryl makes me sleepy and I'm not really a medicine person. (minus injecting myself for a baby's sake)

Banana peels was on that list. I like bananas. Why not put the peel to good use after I eat one? I will also be lathering on some olive oil next time I get out of the shower. Then, putting on a paste of baking soda & water, which has provided relief for poison ivy in the past. I also ordered some Grandpa's pine tar soap, which apparently has worked wonders for many, and could possibly clear it up!

B-A-N-A-N-A-S.