Itching during pregnancy can be a frustrating problem. Your skin is more sensitive to touch, and after bathing the water seems to make your itching worse rather than better.
You may also notice that you have an increased sensitivity to perfumes and other scents. The best way to get relief from this uncomfortable condition is through treatment. In this blog post, we will discuss various ways of getting relief from itchy skin during pregnancy and how you can treat it once it starts.
itchy skin during pregnancy can be a very uncomfortable sensation. This is especially true if you are itching in your tummy, which can happen to some pregnant women. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of itchy skin during pregnancy and how to get relief from itching during pregnancy.
In This Article
What Causes Itching During Pregnancy?
The skin of a pregnant woman is more sensitive than usual and will react to external irritants like sweat, perfume or soap. There are many cases where the itching during pregnancy may be caused by fungus infections on feet which can affect thigh areas. Itching is also one of the symptoms that accompany rosacea flare-ups. Pregnant women who have eczema or psoriasis may also experience itching.
Stretching skin
When you have your first or a multiples pregnancy, the skin will stretch and itch considerably more than it usually does.
Hormones
Hormones may also cause of itchy skin during pregnancy, mainly due to a hormone called prostaglandin. You will experience many changes during pregnancy. One of these is that you will itch more.
Dryness
Dryness is also another cause of itching during pregnancy. The skin will experience dry patches, especially in areas where there are folds like the thighs and backside. This may be caused by hormonal changes or retained water which can make you itch more than usual even when your skin isn’t wet from perspiration
Prurigo
Prurigo is a type of itching that happens as a result from an unknown cause. It behaves like arthritis, with the skin itching and burning for long periods of time
Rosacea
Itching may also be caused by rosacea which occurs when blood vessels in the face break down causing redness and inflammation on your cheeks.
It is important to know what part of your body is itchy and why. All pregnancies will have some itching because the skin in these areas will go through changes.
You may be itchy because of PUPPP. You are more likely to be itchy in your arm and leg areas for other reasons.
What are the Natural Treatments for Itching During Pregnancy?
There are some natural remedies that can help relieve from itchy skin during pregnancy. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes itching skin during pregnancy. The itching will usually pass after a few days but the best way to get relief from itchy skin during pregnancy is through treatment or natural remedies that are safe for use while pregnant.
Coconut Oil: – Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties and soothes itching skin during pregnancy. It is a lot better than other oils because it doesn’t produce any staining on clothes or in the house, as well as giving you an easy way to cook healthy food without having to worry about things sticking
Aloe Vera Gel: – Aloe Vera gel is another natural remedy that relieves itching during pregnancy. It also soothes and moisturizes the skin which makes it a good choice for people with dryness
Turmeric – Turmeric can be an effective treatment for itching if you have been diagnosed with rosacea or psoriasis while pregnant. Turmeric’s ability to reduce itching is due to its anti-inflammatory properties
Baking Soda – Baking soda can be used as a natural remedy for itching during pregnancy. It helps relieve itching and also reduces inflammation when rubbed on the skin
Epsom Salts: – Epsom salts are another good choice if you want relief from itching while pregnant. It is good for itching and can also be used in the bath to help with itching skin
Apple Cider Vinegar: – This vinegar has natural anti-itch properties that will soothe itching. When applied it close to the itching area, you are less likely to itch as a result of chemesthesis or histamine reactions which are the most common itching causes during pregnancy.
Lemon Juice : – Lemon juice is another natural remedy that can be used on itching skin. It has a high acidic content which makes it good for itching relief.
Chamomile Tea: – Chamomile tea has been shown to reduce itching in people who are pregnant, as well as itching associated with other skin conditions.
Cold Compress:- A cold compress is another natural remedies for itching during pregnancy. It can help reduce itching by cooling the skin and calming it down which makes a person less likely to experience itching as well
Body Wash: – If you want to use natural products that are safe for pregnant woman then using body wash with tea tree oil will be helpful in relieving itching.
Calamine Lotion: – Calamine lotion is another good natural remedy for itching. It contains zinc which soothes itching and also reduces inflammation
Oatmeal Bath: – Oatmeal bath is another good natural remedy for itching. It relieves itching and also has anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the irritation.
Bentonite Clay: – Bentonite clay is another good choice if you want relief from itching while pregnant. It has natural healing and anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a great way to find relief.
Lavender Oil: – Lavendar oil is also a good natural remedy for itching. It has soothing and calming properties which can help you find relief from itching during pregnancy
Tea Tree Oil:- Tea tree oil is another natural product to use if you are looking for itch relief while pregnant. Unlike other treatments, it doesn’t have any side-effects.
Symptoms of Itchy Skin During Pregnancy:
Symptoms may include itching, a feeling of heat and redness on the skin that lasts for hours or days at a time, swelling of the hands or feet (edema), and headaches. Symptoms usually affect one area of your body, but can also affect several areas. Symptoms usually occur at night and can disturb your sleep.
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
ICP, also known as Obstetric Cholestasis, can be identified and monitored through blood tests during pregnancy.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a baby-related liver condition that causes itchy skin and other symptoms. The itchy skin is caused by the buildup of bile in your body, which can lead to an uncomfortable sensation on or under the skin.
During pregnancy, some women don’t have bile acids to help digest food which can lead to digestive discomfort.
ICP typically occurs during pregnancy and does not have a cure. The condition usually clears up once you’ve given birth to your baby.
Mild itching
Mild itching is another symptom of cholestasis of pregnancy that can affect other parts like your lower back and nipples as well as the palms and soles. Cholestasis is often caused by a buildup of bile in the body which can lead to an uncomfortable sensation on or under your skin.
There are a number of natural alternatives to help bring relief from the discomfort.
Is it normal to itch all over during pregnancy?
Itchy skin is a common problem during pregnancy, and can be caused by hormones or medical conditions. The good news is that the itching can often be stopped with these treatments and more.
Itchiness is a symptom of skin irritation, which might be caused by an infection or allergy. It’s important to contact your doctor if you feel that the itching is too extreme, so that he can help identify and treat the underlying cause and avoid long-term complications. In most cases, the itchiness should go away on its own as soon as the main irritant has been identified and eliminated.
Evidence suggests that normal pregnancies produce measurable changes in hormones affecting glucose metabolism and some people may be especially sensitive to those changes. This could occasionally lead to people with diabetes experiencing increased itchiness during pregnancy because their bodies are more sensitive than otherwise expected.
Can pregnancy hormones cause itchy skin?
Pregnancy hormones can cause itchy skin because they have an effect on certain cells in your body called mast cells, which are responsible for releasing histamine. Mast cells are located all over your body, and while their primary responsibility is to sweat during exercise or produce chemicals that induce itch when you have a skin irritation like poison oak, the ones found in your nose also help to produce ingredients of tears.
Pregnancy hormones may sensitize skin normally tolerant of a particular allergen by boosting the activity of allergy-causing T cells in the skin and around it. This causes the immune system to overreact when encountering a harmless substance like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, foods (nuts) or some housekeeping products (chemical fumes). The body reacts during pregnancy with bouts that are often more severe than those experienced before pregnancy.
How to Get Instant Relief From Itchy Skin During Pregnancy?
Apply cold – Feel immediate relief by putting an ice pack or a cold, wet compress on itchy areas for five to 10 minutes. Cold showers are also helpful to relieve itching and stress levels associated with it.
Take a bath – Taking a warm or cold shower should soothe the itchiness by desensitizing your body to itchy skin.
Moisturize your skin – apply a lotion or cream whenever you need to relieve itching. This will moisturize the affected areas and can be applied every time you experience itchiness.
Drink a lot s of Water – Drinking water can help flush out bile from your system, which may be causing the itchiness.
What lotions should I avoid if I have cholestasis in pregnancy?
It’s important to avoid any lotion that you would need to smell. In pregnancy, you’re super sensitive to fragrance. If a person can’t take in the fragrance of the products they use, then why test it?
It also doesn’t have to be completely natural or organic, but anything scented is not a good idea–not only are certain fragrances known as allergenic triggers, but they may irritate your itching skin.) A non-scented anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone or plain petroleum jelly can provide relief away from fragranced products. You’ll want “Fragrance Free” and “non-allergen ingredients”.
What Foods to Avoid if itchy skin when your Pregnant?
Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing certain food allergies or intolerances that can make life during pregnancy tough. The fetus in the womb is adapting to both its mother’s nutrition intake and her system defense mechanisms against substances it doesn’t recognize as safe.
Some common types of food borne allergies or intolerances that may affect pregnant moms include corn, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (e.g., cashews), milk fish and shellfish The following foods should be avoided when dealing with itchy skin during pregnancy.
- Food high in Omega 6 and salt like fried food, poultry, corn-fed pig meat/ bacon, processed pork products (sausage and ham).
- Concentrated sugar including candy bars, ice cream, chocolate cake.
- Dark Chocolate – so potent with a bitter taste that it can lead to inflammation issues for the stomach and intestines in some women during pregnancy- too much of this could lead to miscarriage or increase risk for bleeding after delivery since it reduces the availability of iron from other foods eaten
- Alcohol -It may cause low weight birthweight babies due to presence of alcohol in breastmilk
When should I call to my Doctor?
Itching can be difficult to deal with during pregnancy. If the itchiness becomes severe or is concentrated on your palms and soles, you should call your doctor. These are signs of a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis which requires medical attention for both you and your baby.
Pregnancy causes people to itch for a variety of reasons, so don’t self-diagnose.
Let your doctor know before you try any over-the-counter medications because some might not be safe for pregnant women.
