Dry skin and itching during pregnancy

Pregnancy Dry Skin: Natural Remedies for Relief

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Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, PA-C — By Annamarya Scaccia on September 23, 2015

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Cholestasis of pregnancy. (2017).
americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/cholestasis-of-pregnancy/
Dermatologists top tips for relieving dry skin. (n.d.).
aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/health-and-beauty/general-skin-care/dry-skin-tips
Dry skin: Overview. (n.d.).
aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/dry-skin/tips
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). (n.d.).
liverfoundation.org/abouttheliver/info/icp/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Itchy skin (pruritus).
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/itchy-skin/basics/definition/con-20028460
Mothers-to-be consider shielding lotions for relief from skin disorders during pregnancy. (n.d.).
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Pregnant in a hot tub. (n.d.).
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Skin changes in pregnancy. (2015).
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Skin conditions during pregnancy. (2014).
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, PA-C — By Annamarya Scaccia on September 23, 2015

Itchy Skin During Pregnancy: What to Do

Pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation. But as your baby and belly grow, pregnancy can also become a time of discomfort.

If you’re experiencing itchy skin, you’re not alone. Though mild skin irritation is usually harmless, it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms. In later pregnancy, itchy skin could be the sign of a medical problem.

Here are some reasons you might be experiencing discomfort, some simple at-home treatments, and notes on when you should call your doctor.

Irritated Skin

Your skin is put to the test as your body morphs with each new stage of pregnancy. As your belly and breasts get bigger, the skin around them stretches. You might notice stretch marks, redness, and itching in these areas.

Chafing from clothing or skin-on-skin rubbing can make matters worse. It can even lead to rashes and irritated patches.

Eczema

Eczema is one of the most common skin irritants during pregnancy. Even women without a history of irritation and inflammation from eczema can develop it, usually in the first two trimesters. Symptoms of eczema include itching, rash, inflammation, and burning sensations.

Eczema that occurs for the first time during pregnancy is called atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP). Women with prior eczema who notice a flare-up while pregnant also are experiencing AEP. Patches of inflamed skin generally develop around your knees, elbows, wrists, and neck. The condition will not affect your baby and typically resolves after delivery.

Psoriasis

Those of you who deal with psoriasis, a common condition that causes thick patches of red, itchy, dry skin, will be happy to learn that symptoms generally improve during pregnancy. But in an article published in Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, researchers mention that some women will experience continued skin issues.

The treatments favored during pregnancy include topical corticosteroids and ultraviolet B phototherapy.

Oatmeal Bath

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For itching caused by stretched or chafed skin, eczema, or psoriasis, try a tepid oatmeal bath. Blend together oats, baking soda, and milk powder in a food processor. Then scoop 1/4 cup of this mixture into your bath water and soak for 20 minutes.

If you use a recipe that calls for essential oils, check with your doctor before putting them in the mix. Some aren’t safe for pregnancy, and the bath will be just as effective without them.

Lotions and Salves

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There are a number of lotions and salves that can soothe irritated skin. Cocoa butter is great for dry, stretched skin, and it’s readily available at most drugstores. Try applying cocoa butter in the morning after you dry off from a shower and at night before heading to bed.

If you have eczema, speak with your doctor. Many lotions aren’t recommended during pregnancy or can only be used in small doses. Try to avoid triggers and allergens that worsen your condition. Avoiding harsh soaps can also keep your skin happier and healthier.

Wear Loose Clothing

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To ward off chafing, wear loose, comfortable clothing made from natural fibers (like cotton) that let your body move and your skin breathe.

Though it may be hard, also avoid itching as much as possible. You’ll only make your skin angrier and cause more irritation.

Severe itching in the third trimester might be caused by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IPC) or obstetric cholestasis.

This condition occurs in response to impaired liver function, possibly due to pregnancy hormones, or changes to the digestive process. Bile acids that normally flow out of your liver accumulate in your skin and other tissues. This causes itching.

IPC may run in families, so ask your mom, sister, aunt, or grandmother if they had it during pregnancy. You’re also at higher risk if you’re carrying twins, have a family history of liver disease, or experienced cholestasis in a previous pregnancy.

Symptoms of cholestasis may include:

itchiness all over (especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
itching that worsens in overnight hours
jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes)
nausea or upset stomach
right side upper belly pain
dark urine/pale stools

Your symptoms should disappear soon after you deliver and your liver function returns to normal. Unfortunately, IPC can have serious consequences for your baby, so mention increased itching or related symptoms to your doctor. IPC can lead to an increased risk of stillbirth, premature birth, and fetal distress, among other complications.

Your doctor may prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to improve your liver function and reduce bile acid buildup. If your IPC is particularly advanced, your doctor may also discuss delivering your baby soon after his lungs have matured or earlier, depending on the severity of your case.

Each treatment plan is unique, so discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

If itching becomes severe, is concentrated on your palms or soles, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea or jaundice, call your doctor. These are all signs of intrahepatic cholestasis and require medical attention for you and your baby.

Also let your doctor know before you try any over-the-counter itch remedies, because some might not be safe for pregnant women.

You don’t need to suffer through eczema or psoriasis, either. Ask your doctor which treatments are available to you during your pregnancy. Don’t take any prescriptions without speaking with your doctor first.

For most women, itchiness during pregnancy is annoying and will calm down after delivery. For others, it may signal that something is wrong. Regardless, try some at-home treatment methods to soothe your itchy skin and contact your doctor for specific suggestions.

Why does the skin itch during pregnancy?

Skin itching during pregnancy is not a very common phenomenon. Most often, the skin begins to itch unbearably (as after mosquito bites) in the evening, closer to night, which can provoke insomnia and generally worsen a woman’s mood. Usually itching does not harm the baby and goes away after childbirth. However, it is still worth consulting with a gynecologist and dermatologist.

What does it come from? nine0005

The cause of itching during pregnancy in most cases is a violation of the liver: the production and outflow of bile, a general increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood. This is due to a hormonal failure in the body of the future mother - a violation of the synthesis of estrogens, as well as due to fetal pressure on the bile ducts. The fatty acids produced in large quantities enter the woman's skin with the bloodstream and irritate the nerve endings, causing excruciating itching. Similar phenomena associated with stagnation of bile in the body can make themselves felt in the third trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes itching is accompanied by such dangerous diseases as diabetes mellitus. nine0003

Who is predisposed?

Itching during pregnancy is usually observed in women with chronic diseases of the biliary tract and with high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Such future mothers need to regularly (at least once a month) do a biochemical blood test to exclude toxic effects on liver cells.

How to fight?

A pregnant woman should tell her gynecologist about the discomfort associated with skin itching. In some cases, itching can be a sign of the development of such a dangerous disease as hepatitis. The doctor will conduct appropriate examinations. If, according to an objective examination, itching does not pose any danger, it is often possible to get rid of discomfort simply by following a diet aimed at lowering cholesterol levels, limiting the intake of fatty, spicy and salty foods that prevent the liver from coping with the function of bile secretion, as well as drinking plenty of water - it is necessary to eliminate dry skin. If the diet does not help, the doctor may prescribe choleretic drugs suitable for pregnant women. nine0003

It is important to find the cause of the bothersome itching, eliminating a whole group of skin diseases that can occur during pregnancy.

Itching in the abdomen and chest

This itch is worth mentioning separately. As a rule, the skin on the abdomen or chest itches in the second and third trimesters due to its stretching, because it is these parts of the body that increase in volume during pregnancy. In this case, it is very important not to scratch the skin - this will lead to the appearance of stretch marks, which, unlike itching, will not go away after childbirth. Regularly use moisturizing creams, special products for stretch marks, do a light massage of the chest and abdomen with circular movements of your fingers and do not take hot showers. nine0003

You can get answers to any questions about pregnancy and childbirth from leading EMC experts in the classes of the School of Moms.

Subscribe to our Instagram. You will find useful information about pregnancy and childbirth from leading EMC obstetricians and gynecologists.

Itchy skin during pregnancy: causes and remedies

Itching of the skin during pregnancy can be psychogenic. In this case, itching is a consequence of stress, an early symptom of multiple sclerosis. nine0003

In the early stages, itching occurs due to loss of skin elasticity caused by hormonal changes and excessive dryness of the skin. In the second and third trimester, the reasons may be the rapid weight gain of the expectant mother, the developing stretching of the skin of the abdomen as it increases.

Some expectant mothers experience intimate itching. It is provoked by genital infections, urological and proctological diseases.

The causes of skin itching also include dermatoses of pregnant women (atopic dermatitis, cholestasis of pregnancy). They are provoked by hereditary predisposition, decreased immunity, physiological changes (stretching of the skin with damage to the connective tissue).

Atopic dermatitis is the most common cause of itching during pregnancy. A specific condition is caused by hormonal immune restructuring of the whole organism. In 80% of cases, the disease manifests itself exclusively during pregnancy, and all signs disappear after childbirth without specific treatment. nine0003

Atopic dermatitis is more common in nulliparous women in the early stages and in the second trimester. Itching is caused by papular and exametic rashes localized on the face, neck, limbs, elbows, palms.

Atopic dermatitis is the most benign form of dermatosis of pregnancy and usually does not adversely affect the fetus. However, children born to mothers who suffered from this disease at the stage of gestation are also prone to allergic skin diseases. nine0003

Itching of the skin, as a symptom of cholestasis, is provoked by intrahepatic stagnation of bile as a reaction to increased estrogen production. The disease occurs at the end of the second - beginning of the third trimester, closer to the date of birth. A pregnant woman experiences severe itching in the abdomen, back, palms, legs.

Cholestasis is dangerous for the health of the mother and unborn child in severe cases of the disease. There is a risk of fetal hypoxia, delayed development and even premature birth. nine0003

Symptoms

The main sign of pathological changes is the appearance of irritating-itchy sensations in different parts of the body. Locally, a woman may also feel a tingling and burning sensation.

Other symptoms include:

blistering or eruption of blistering character;
peeling, irritation and redness of the skin;
formation of scaly spots;
sores and sores caused by scratching; nine0057
deterioration in general condition caused by sleep disorders and emotional depression.

In most cases, itching of the skin during pregnancy does not pose a real danger to the intrauterine development of the fetus, but significantly worsens the quality of life of the expectant mother, acts depressingly on the state of her nervous system and general well-being.

Diagnostics

In order to successfully deal with itching, it is necessary to establish the cause that causes it. The choice of diagnostic methods is determined based on the degree of intensity and localization of itching, the presence of concomitant symptoms and chronic diseases, the duration of pregnancy, and the individual characteristics of the health of the expectant mother. nine0003

Treatment is prescribed only after the exact cause of the itching is established.

At the initial examination, the doctor listens to the patient's complaints, examines the condition of the skin, paying attention to the appearance of rashes or spots. This allows you to draw a preliminary conclusion and determine what laboratory tests and instrumental studies will be needed.

The main diagnostic measures for itchy skin in pregnant women include: nine0003

general urine and blood tests;
biochemical blood test;
studies of hormone levels - if endocrine pathologies are suspected;
analysis of vaginal smear for microflora;
skin scraping examination;
allergy testing;
Ultrasound of the digestive tract, liver and kidneys;
histological examination;
analysis of feces for the detection of helminth eggs. nine0057

The choice of research methods is determined individually. In some cases, a pregnant woman is shown a consultation with an endocrinologist, urologist, gastroenterologist, venereologist.

Identification of atopic dermatitis is usually not difficult. In addition to the general examination, such types of diagnostics as dermatoscopy and examination under the Voodoo lamp are carried out.

If itching in a pregnant woman is allergic in nature, a mandatory diagnostic measure is the determination of the allergen (pathogen). nine0003

Treatment of itching

Although itching during pregnancy is not dangerous in many cases, it should not be tolerated either. You need to tell the gynecologist about unpleasant sensations, who will determine the diagnostic methods and, if necessary, give a referral to other specialists. Treatment of itching during pregnancy is carried out by the attending gynecologist together with a dermatologist.

You can not self-medicate and use medicines without the approval of a doctor. Many of them have contraindications and can cause severe side effects. A pregnant woman should remember the prohibition of scratching itchy places. This leads to a violation of the integrity of the skin, the appearance of wounds and abrasions, which will become sites of infection. nine0003

The treatment regimen depends on the disease that causes itching. When choosing drug therapy, the risks of negative effects on the fetus are taken into account. This is especially true in the case of the appointment of antibiotics, hormonal and antifungal drugs. Self-medication is unacceptable!

In the treatment of itching during pregnancy, the following types of drugs can be prescribed:

antihistamines - to eliminate itching caused by dermatitis, urticaria; nine0057
glucocorticoids - used to treat dermatitis;
emollients - have a moisturizing and regenerating effect in case of excessive dryness and dehydration of the skin;
adsorbents and hepatoprotectors - to normalize the liver;
choleretic preparations - for the correction of the state of the digestive tract;
sedatives - to normalize the state of the nervous system, if a pregnant woman has signs of increased anxiety and sleep disturbances. nine0057

With moderate itching, a pregnant woman is shown taking baths with a decoction of a string or oatmeal. An oatmeal bath is effective for itching caused by stretch marks, eczema, or psoriasis. To prepare it, crushed oatmeal is mixed with baking soda and a little milk is added, the mixture is poured into a warm bath.

Lotions on herbal decoctions can be applied to itchy areas of the skin. Chamomile, succession or St. John's wort is poured with boiling water and insisted. After a few hours, the decoction for lotions is ready for use. nine0003

To eliminate itching of the genital organs, medicinal suppositories with local action are prescribed. Of great benefit are sitz baths of decoctions of sage or chamomile.

Itching in the abdomen, caused by skin tension, can cause stretch marks. To prevent aesthetic imperfections, it is necessary to moisturize the skin with special means.

To reduce itching, a pregnant woman should only wear clothes made from natural fabrics, preferably cotton. Natural fabrics allow the skin to breathe freely. It is useful for future mothers to take a cool shower without the use of soaps or bathing gels. The skin needs to be effectively protected from external aggressive factors: sun, frost and wind. nine0003

When itching of the skin appears, it is better to refuse the use of perfumes, take the choice of cosmetics very responsibly.

Prophylaxis

Itching during pregnancy can be prevented if you follow the doctor's recommendations and preventive measures. Tips for expectant mothers:

carefully observe body hygiene, take regular showers or baths without the use of fragrances;
refuse underwear and clothes made of synthetic fabrics; nine0057
after taking a shower or bath, moisturize the skin of the body with special products, with a neutral pH level, creams, lotions, emulsions are suitable for this;
use phosphate-free laundry detergents;
wear loose clothing that does not restrict movement;
avoid stuffy rooms or open places under the scorching summer sun;
exclude intense physical activity that provokes increased sweating; nine0057
provide the expectant mother with a plentiful drinking regimen that prevents dehydration of the body;
avoid stressful situations, get positive impressions.

Proper nutrition plays an important role in the prevention of itching of the skin. This is especially important if itching is provoked by various foods. The woman is recommended a hypoallergenic diet, with the exception of fast food, smoked, salty and pickled foods, as well as foods with preservatives, emulsifiers and artificial flavors. The diet of the future mother should be rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, antioxidants. To do this, the menu includes sour-milk products, meat and fish of low-fat varieties, vegetable dishes, fruits. nine0003

Itching during pregnancy when following medical recommendations has a favorable prognosis and is not an obstacle to natural childbirth.

If a woman had signs of atopic dermatitis during her first pregnancy, the likelihood of a recurrence of the disease during subsequent pregnancies is high. At the stage of planning a child, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist.

Itching

A series of products "Emolium" effectively eliminates the symptoms of skin diseases, including itching, peeling, irritability. They are prescribed to moisturize the skin, eliminate dryness and tightness in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and allergies. Means of the Emolium series are used in the complex treatment of these and other diseases that provoke itching. nine0003

The main advantages of the series:

have a mild anti-inflammatory effect;
ensure the normal functioning of the skin;
restore skin structure;
retain moisture in cells and intercellular space;
restore the water-lipid layer;
relieve irritation and itching.

The delicate and delicate consistency of the products makes it easy to apply and distribute them over the entire surface of the affected areas. nine0003

With severe itching of pregnant women, a triactive series is recommended, taking care of atopic and damaged skin. Triactive cream enriched with rapeseed oil and sodium hyaluronate has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antipruritic effects.