Itching During Pregnancy

Itching during pregnancy is absolutely benign and most gravida experience it in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It can occur in body regions such as the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands. However, belly itching during pregnancy is the most common. It can be caused by various reasons. Read on to know about them.

Reasons for Itching During Pregnancy

• The most common cause of itching during pregnancy is the growth of the uterus to lodge the new baby. As a result, the skin stretches and becomes itchy. The skin also itches when it is dry. Xerosis is the term used to describe the condition of dry skin.
• Some women develop skin rashes during pregnancy. Hormones produced during pregnancy act on the body, which is already overheated. The skin rubs against itself or against garments, and the skin perspires, becomes damp, which finally causes the rashes to appear. Such rashes are also known as prickly heat. They are slightly irritating and are most common in skin folds and creases.
• In the last trimester of pregnancy, some women develop large itchy patches on their bellies and other parts of the skin. This condition is known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). This originates on the stomach and spreads to other body parts like thighs and arms. It is characterized by excessive itching during pregnancy, but it does not pose any risk to you and your baby. Only 1% of the pregnant women experience PUPPP, so it is advisable to get yourself medically diagnosed by a gynaecologist to confirm whether your condition is actually PUPPP or not.
• Some gravida develop a rare condition called prurigo. It results in the formation of small bumps on the body. It mostly occurs on the legs, hands, feet and arms. It also does not cause any harm to you and your baby, but it's certainly irritating.
• Some pregnant women develop yet another condition, which is known as pemphigoid gestationis. This condition is characterized by itchy eruptions of hives. The hives forms lesions, which look like blisters. This condition indicates some complications as it may lead to fetal growth retardation and preterm delivery. It generally occurs during the third trimester but there are cases when it occurred at the start of the pregnancy.
• Some gravida may experience vaginal itching during pregnancy. It is mostly caused by a change in the pH level of the vagina. It can also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases, and microbial infections. Infections by yeast are quite common during pregnancy. It can result in moderate to severe itching.
• Intrahepatic cholestasis is another itching condition that occurs during pregnancy. Approximately, 2% of gravida suffer from cholestasis. It results due to pooling of bile salts, a liver problem. Bile does not flow normally in the small ducts of the liver and accumulates in the body. This causes excessive itching during pregnancy. At times, the itching is so severe that women end up scratching the skin.

All the above mentioned conditions of body itching during pregnancy clear shortly after childbirth and do not occur in subsequent pregnancies. However, intrahepatic cholestasis is an exception and generally occurs in further pregnancies too.

Treatment of Itching During Pregnancy: You can use some home remedies to treat itching during pregnancy. But it is recommended that before trying out anything on your own, you first consult a medical practitioner to know the right cause and medical treatment for your problem. Once it is clear that the itching you are suffering from is due to stages of pregnancy development, you can use some of the following ways to treat it.

1. Avoid taking hot showers and baths as much as possible as they further tend to dry up your skin. Use a mild unscented soap for bathing. Warm baths using oatmeal products have been reported to be soothing and comforting. Avoid scrubbing the skin with loofahs and body brushes. Instead, make use of gentle skin cleansing milk lotions.
2. Apply plenty of good quality moisturizers on the itchy skin right after getting out of the bath when the skin is still wet. This helps the skin absorb more moisture. Apply superior quality skin products such as the one containing cocoa butter on the affected skin. Cocoa butter application especially on the abdomen prevents pregnancy stretch marks. Aloe vera extracts also greatly reduce the stretch marks.
3. Apply a paste of baking soda with water and place a cold compress on the itchy area. It is very easing and relieving. Use of anti-itch cream like calamine lotion is also very effective.
4. Always dress yourself in loose fitting cotton clothes and stay away from synthetic clothes such as polyester as they tend to trap moisture.
5. In order to treat vaginal itching during pregnancy, wear cotton panties and always keep yourself clean and dry. Refrain from douching and wipe the vagina from front to back to keep bacteria away.
6. Drink adequate amount of water to keep your body hydrated and moisturized. Follow a balanced diet. Good nutrition always proves to be a blessing for the skin.
7. In case of PUPPP, apply scentless powder on the skin folds such as beneath the breasts and between the thighs. It would reduce irritation.

Feminine itching during pregnancy is normal but no doubt, a frustrating side-effect of maternity. It is natural and a majority of the pregnant women have to suffer from it. It can be minimized by following the above-mentioned measures. Take the necessary care of yourself to experience a healthy, safe and happy pregnancy.