Extremely itchy legs during pregnancy
Itching in pregnancy: five things you need to know | Pregnancy, Worries and discomforts articles & support
Feeling itchy is actually one of the most common skin problems in pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know about it.
1. Itching in pregnancy has a logical cause
That super-irritating itch is caused by your skin stretching. Your growing uterus causes the skin around the belly to stretch yet the oil glands cannot meet their normal moisture requirement. That’s why you’ll find you have dry and itchy skin that’s often worse on your tummy and legs (Kenyon et al, 2010; NHS Choices, 2016a).
Your hormones changing can also make the itch worse (British Association of Dermatologists, 2018). If you usually get eczema, it can get worse while you’re pregnant (Ambros-Rudolph, 2011; NHS Choices, 2016b).
2. It is normal for severe itching to get you down
While friends and family may not take itching as a symptom seriously, a severe itch can be more than irritating. Severe itching can lead to poor sleep, exhaustion and can really get you down (Rungsiprakarn, et al, 2016).
3. Itching in pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious
Itching can be a symptom of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC). Obstetric cholestasis is often different to a normal itch as it affects the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.
Obstetric cholestasis can also cause your wee to be dark and your poo to be pale (RCOG, 2011). Obstetric cholestasis affects 1 in 140 women pregnant women in the UK and it needs medical attention (NHS Choices, 2016c).
4. Evening or night itching could ring alarm bells
Mild itching is not usually harmful to you or your baby. But if you’re notice itching more during the evening or at night, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. Make sure you talk to your midwife or doctor about this as they can decide whether you need any further investigations (NHS Choices, 2016c).
5. It is possible to ease the itching
You could help prevent mild itching by wearing loose clothes in natural materials like cotton to let air circulate. You could also try having cool baths and applying moisturiser or lotion to help soothe the itching. Make sure you avoid any strongly perfumed products as they can make your itch worse (NHS Choices, 2016c).
This page was last reviewed in April 2018.
Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
Find out more about other pregnancy symptoms that you can expect or look out for along the way here.
References
Ambros-Rudolph CM. (2011) Dermatoses of pregnancy - clues to diagnosis, fetal risk and therapy. Ann Dermatol. (3):265-275. doi: 10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.265. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21909194 [Accessed 1st March 2018].
British Association of Dermatologists. (2018) Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=227&itemtype=document
Kenyon AP, Tribe RM, Nelson-Piercy C, Girling JC, Williamson C, Seed PT, Vaughan-Jones S, Shennan AH. (2010) Pruritus in pregnancy: a study of anatomical distribution and prevalence in relation to the development of obstetric cholestasis. Obstet Med. 3(1):25-29. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27582836 [Accessed 1st March 2018].
NHS. (2016a) Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/ [Accessed 1st March 2018].
NHS. (2016b) Atopic eczema - causes. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/causes/ [Accessed 1st March 2018].
NHS. (2016c) Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/ [Accessed 1st March 2018].
RCOG. (2011) Obstetric cholestasis. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg43/ [Accessed 1st March 2018].
Rungsiprakarn P, Laopaiboon M, Sangkomkamhang US, Lumbiganon P. (2016) Pharmacological interventions for generalised itching (not caused by systemic disease or skin lesions) in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (2):CD011351. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26891962 [Accessed 1st March 2018].
Information you can trust from NCT
When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust.
All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities.
Read more about our editorial review process.
Causes, Treatments, When to See Your OB
Scratch, scratch, scratch. All of a sudden it feels like all you can think about it how much you itch. Your pregnancy may have brought on a whole host of new “fun” experiences: dizziness, nausea, heartburn, or even trouble breathing.
You’d likely been warned about all of these from other pregnant women and weren’t shocked when you hit these milestones in your pregnancy journey. The last thing you imagined you’d be feeling though was itchy!
You hadn’t heard about intense itching during pregnancy from a lot of your friends, so now you’re wondering: What’s causing this? Is this normal? Should I be worried?
Although we can’t diagnose the exact cause of your itchiness, we’ve compiled a list of some common reasons pregnant women may be feeling the urge to scratch — and some signs you should head in to see your doctor.
There are many reasons why you may feel itchy during pregnancy. These might include:
- Stretching skin. First pregnancies and pregnancies with multiples tend to cause skin to stretch quite a bit more than it is used to.
- Dryness. Hormone changes in pregnancy can cause itchy, flaky dry skin.
- Perfumes or fabrics. Different materials and chemicals can literally rub you the wrong way.
- Hormones. The hormonal changes you experience in pregnancy can affect everything from mood to circulation to, yes, itchiness.
- Cholestasis. This is a liver disorder that can result in the buildup of bile acids in the blood that cause feelings of itchiness.
- Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). This is an itchy rash that occurs around stretch marks during late pregnancy.
- Prurigo.
These crusty, itchy bumps on the arms, legs, or abdomen that can appear in any trimester.
It’s important to consider where on your body you are experiencing itching. Most pregnancies will involve some itching belly and itching breasts because the skin in these areas is going through so many changes.
Itching around your stretch marks may be a result of PUPPP, while itchy arm and leg areas are more likely to be a result of fabrics rubbing you the wrong way or prurigo.
Occasionally feeling slight itchiness is normal, but intense itching of the abdomen, arms, and legs can be a sign that your body needs some attention. Some people also experience vaginal itching during pregnancy, which may require treatment. In addition, sometimes there may be rashes associated with pregnancy itching.
Itching is not generally considered an early pregnancy symptom. In fact, many types of rashes typically only appear later in pregnancy and some may not resolve until after your baby is born.
That said, any time intense or prolonged itching appears during the course of your pregnancy it should be reported to your doctor.
Just as there are many potential causes for itchiness in pregnancy, there are a variety of ways to help alleviate any itching that you may be feeling. Consider these natural remedies you can try at home:
- Change perfumes or detergents. You may even consider making your own soap/perfumes/detergents to avoid chemicals in commercial products that irritate your skin.
- Wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics. (This will help keep potentially irritating fabrics away from your skin AND help keep you cool to avoid any heat-related rashes!)
- Take an oatmeal bath or use a yogurt skin treatment. Lathering up with pine tar soap is a common home remedy for PUPPP.
- Use a moisturizer to help with dry skin. Olive oil and coconut oil are both very moisturizing as are shea and coconut butter.
- Apply some calamine lotion. This chalky pink liquid isn’t just for bug bites and poison ivy!
- Increase your water intake and make sure that you’re staying hydrated. Don’t forget to include electrolytes in your hydration. Making sure to include some coconut water or a water with electrolytes added will help your body to make the most of the water that you’re providing it.
- Turn on your humidifier and/or a fan. Keeping the air moist and cool will help with dry skin and itchy heat-related rashes.
Remember: If itching doesn’t improve or gets worse, it’s time to make plans to visit your doctor!
You should see your doctor if you have any of the following.
Signs of cholestasis
- jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and the white area of the eye)
- dark urine
- lack of appetite
- nausea
- light stool
- depression
- intense itchiness, including itching feet
Cholestasis is a liver condition that results in a build-up of bile acids in the blood.
There is not usually a rash, but the skin may develop a more yellow tone. In pregnancy, the condition, if it does appear, occurs in the third trimester.
Your doctor will diagnosis cholestasis with a blood test. A medical history will also typically be taken, because cholestasis can be an inherited condition and is more common if your mother or sister also had it during one of their pregnancies.
Many over-the-counter anti-itch medications will not be effective if cholestasis is the cause of your itch, but your doctor may be able to prescribe other drugs that can help alleviate some of the itchiness and reduce the amount of bile acid in the blood.
Ultimately, the solution to cholestasis is delivering the baby, and the itch will usually clear up within a few days of giving birth.
Because there is an increased chance of stillbirth, fetal distress, and preterm delivery, your doctor may want to discuss an earlier induction or more frequent monitoring during your pregnancy (and for a period after delivery) if you are diagnosed with cholestasis.
Signs of PUPPP
- rash made up of small, pimple-like dots, typically spreading from stretch mark areas and not extending beyond the breasts
- blisters around the rash
- feeling extra itchy at night
Typically, your doctor will diagnose PUPPP through a skin examination. In rare cases a skin biopsy may be ordered. Blood work to rule out an infection may be done as well.
The ultimate cure for PUPPP is to deliver the baby, and the rash will usually be gone within a few weeks of delivery. Moisturizers, steroid creams, and antihistamines prescribed by your doctor, as well as itch relieving baths, can help to temporarily relieve itchiness until your due date.
Signs of prurigo
- itchy, crusty bumps on the arms, legs, or abdomen
While moisturizers may help with the itch from prurigo, treatment typically involves topical steroids and oral antihistamines. If you’ve had prurigo during one pregnancy, there’s an increased chance that you’ll experience it in future pregnancies.
While it may clear up shortly after giving birth, it can also unfortunately last for weeks or even months after giving birth.
If you feel intensely itchy or itchy for a prolonged time during your pregnancy, it’s a good idea to check in with your OB or midwife. They can prescribe medications, rule out various illnesses, and make sure that you and your little one are safe.
That intense itch you’re feeling during pregnancy could be due to many different things. It’s important to think about any other symptoms you’re experiencing, the timeline of your itchiness, and even just your daily activities to figure out how to solve this uncomfortable problem.
Because itchiness can be a symptom of a more serious condition, it’s important to consult with your doctor if it continues or any other symptoms appear.
After all, you don’t want your itching to distract you from experiencing the morning sickness, heartburn, and frequent trips to the bathroom you’ve been warned about from other pregnant women!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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 legs during pregnancy: causes
Pregnancy and childbirth
Itchy legs during pregnancy: causes
The symptoms of itching are very similar to the symptoms of fungal diseases of the legs. An accurate diagnosis can be established by an infectious disease specialist or a dermatologist. Since women in position undergo changes throughout the body, it is difficult to establish the true cause of itching on their own.
Itching of the legs during pregnancy
- Photo
- Getty
The main causes of itching in pregnant women are identified:
- hormonal changes;
- liver dysfunction, eg cholestasis;
- allergic reactions;
- excessive sweating;
- skin diseases.
According to statistics, in 94.6% of cases, itching of the legs in pregnant women appears due to excessive accumulation of fluid in the body and an increase in body volume. And if the results of the examination exclude liver disease and serious allergic reactions, then the itching on the legs during pregnancy should not harm the child.
Home treatment for itching
Any treatment depends on a well-established diagnosis. If itching appears as a result of swelling of the body, start with local therapy. Itching of the legs during pregnancy will help relieve the following recommendations:
- Take a foot bath with chestnut tincture, sea salt, chamomile decoction.
- Apply a special moisturizing and soothing cream to your feet.
- Wear cotton socks. Synthetic products provoke an allergic reaction.
- Drink the right amount of liquid. Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
- Try to avoid citrus fruits and other foods that can cause an allergic reaction - seafood, honey, peanuts.
These recommendations help temporarily relieve the symptoms of itching. Finally, the itching disappears only after childbirth and recovery of the body.
Methods for preventing and preventing the onset of symptoms of itching
Anyone can experience itching on the legs. But you can try to regulate the factors that influence its appearance, such as the physical and psycho-emotional state. Therefore, expectant mothers:
- Do not stand or sit for long periods of time. In such cases, there is a violation of blood circulation, which provokes numbness of the upper integuments of the skin.
- I need to walk more in the fresh air. This is useful for the mother as an anemia prevention, because the blood is saturated with oxygen. Thus, blood circulation improves, brain activity is activated, and the psycho-emotional state is improved.
- Take a contrast shower. If your body is not accustomed to such procedures, try doing it only on those parts of the body where itching occurs.
