Postpartum skin changes / keratosis pilaris?

I’m 5 weeks PP and have developed some kind of skin irritation after bub. I don’t know if it’s definitely related to postpartum but I’ve never had it before. According to google it could be keratosis pilaris (“chicken skin”) which can arise after pregnancy due to hormone fluctuations. It’s worse after a hot shower which is when this pic was taken, the redness then goes away and it’s less noticeable. Dry, risen bumpy skin, not itchy. Has anyone else had this? Edit: it’s only red after the shower and then just dry and bumpy.

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Planing to ask GP at my six week checkup too

I’d get it checked out cause it doesn’t look like KP that I’ve seen

I had it soooo bad and mostly on my tattoos (I have a lot). I asked my doctor and he dismissed my concern, but as I’m finding out that some women experience this. What helped me is some anti itch creams and oatmeal baths, sorry I can’t be of more help

@Glennie sorry to hear the Dr was no help! Thanks for sharing xx

@Aby interesting!! I’ve also come across postpartum hives which looks like an allergic reaction and is generally itchy or stings. Except mine hasn’t been itchy or anything so I’m not sure. Mine definitely feels dry and possibly brought on by the cooler weather but I’ll see what the doc thinks for sure

I had this before pregnancy. Mine always goes away when I stop eating gluten lol

Is it just on one side? Is it spreading or just in that area? I had something that looked similar about 12weeks pp. Not itchy, reddish then went darker. Went to my GP and was referred to a dermatologist but they weren’t even 100% what is was. They thought possibly an autoimmune response to hormonal changes but weren’t worried. Obvs don’t know if yours is the same thing but mine just stopped. Some has totally gone and some has left some marks behind 2+ years later (I had way more than you though). I’ve wondered if I had another baby if it’d come back, no idea 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Sorrel super interesting!! I have it on both arms in the same place, it hasn’t spread and it’s been there maybe two weeks. I initially just thought it was dry patchy skin so I scrubbed it 🤦‍♀️ Terrible idea because that made it red and angry. But now once the redness goes down after a shower you can’t really notice it’s there, I can just feel the roughness

@Ellie yeah it’s so weird how these things can just start up! Glad it hasn’t spread any further. Mine started on my wrist then went up my arm and down my side, only on one side though. It was just normal skin colour mostly but then would go red at times. Hope you get to the bottom of it! It’s annoying not having an answer, even if it’s not bothering you too much!

@Sorrel absolutely. Thanks for sharing 🫶