Itchy dry skin pregnancy

Pregnancy Dry Skin: Natural Remedies for Relief

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

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Your skin during pregnancy

Your skin will undergo many changes during pregnancy. Stretch marks begin to form on your belly. An increase in blood production makes your skin start to glow. Excess oil secretion may cause breakouts and acne. And you may also experience dry skin.

It’s common for pregnant women to have dry skin during pregnancy. Hormone changes cause your skin to lose elasticity and moisture as it stretches and tightens to accommodate a growing belly. This can lead to flaky skin, itchiness, or other symptoms often associated with dry skin.

Most women experience dry, itchy skin in the stomach area. But some pregnant women will also feel itchiness in areas that include:

thighs
breasts
arms

During the third trimester, some pregnant women may develop itchy red bumps on their bellies.

If you’re experiencing dry skin, here are some natural remedies to help your skin feel hydrated.

Moisturize at the grocery store

Some products you buy as recipe ingredients can double as moisturizers. Olive oil and coconut oil provide intense moisture to the skin and are full of antioxidants. You only need a couple of droplets to rub on your skin for the oils to work. Try applying to damp skin to avoid a greasy feeling.

Shea butter and [Affiliate Link: cocoa butter are also great natural alternatives to drugstore moisturizers. Though cocoa butter is edible, you should avoid eating any product designed for topical application.

Mix up your own soap

Stay away from body washes and soaps that contain harsh alcohol, fragrances, or dyes, which can be irritating to skin. Instead, try mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water for a natural cleanser that can restore your skin’s pH levels and relieve dry skin.

You can also mix moisturizing coconut oil, raw honey, and liquid Castile soap to make homemade bath soap. This will leave your skin feeling smoother than ever. But don’t go overboard on how much you apply. Just use enough to remove dirt and oil. You never want to overburden your skin with product.

Try yogurt

Yogurt is rich in lactic acid and protein. They help detoxify and hydrate your skin. They also help remove dead skin cells, tighten pores, and make you look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines.

Massage a thin layer of plain yogurt into your skin with your fingertips and leave it on for two or three minutes. Cleanse with warm water and dry off with a towel.

Take a milk bath

Milk baths are another dairy-based solution that can soothe dry skin. Like yogurt, the natural lactic acid in milk can eliminate dead skin cells and hydrate skin.

To make a homemade milk bath, combine 2 cups of whole powdered milk, 1/2 cup of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of baking soda. Pour the entire mixture into the bath water. If you’re vegan, you can use rice, soy, or coconut milk instead.

The American Pregnancy Association strongly suggests that bath water should be warm rather than hot, and that pregnant women limit their time in the bath to 10 minutes or less.

Limit your shower time

Also, spending too much time in a hot shower can be drying for your skin. Hot water can strip away your skin’s natural oils. Try to use only warm water, and limit your time to keep your skin hydrated.

Should I be concerned about my dry skin?

Due to changing estrogen levels, some itching (especially on the palms) is normal. But go to the doctor if you experience severe itching on the hands and feet. Also, look out for symptoms that include:

dark urine
fatigue
appetite loss
depression
light-colored stool

These may be symptoms of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). ICP is a pregnancy-related liver disorder that affects the normal flow of bile. It can be dangerous for your baby and lead to stillbirth or premature delivery.

Pregnancy hormones alter the gallbladder function, causing bile flow to slow or stop. This can lead to bile acid buildup that spills into the blood. According to the American Liver Foundation, ICP affects one to two pregnancies for every 1,000 in the United States. Cholestasis usually disappears within days of delivery.

Any new skin changes noticed with the itching should be evaluated by your doctor. If you notice lesions, like red bumps on your belly or around your belly button, you should tell your doctor. They may be able to treat you with a topical cream to help relieve itching and irritation.

Last medically reviewed on June 14, 2018

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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.).
skincarenet.org/article-6.html
Pregnant in a hot tub. (n.d.).
americanpregnancy. org/pregnancy-health/hot-tubs-during-pregnancy/
Skin changes in pregnancy. (2015).
americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/skin-changes-during-pregnancy/
Skin conditions during pregnancy. (2014).
acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Skin-Conditions-During-Pregnancy

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Share this article

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

Pregnancy Dry Skin: Natural Remedies for Relief

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

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Your skin during pregnancy

Most women experience dry, itchy skin in the stomach area. But some pregnant women will also feel itchiness in areas that include:

thighs
breasts
arms

During the third trimester, some pregnant women may develop itchy red bumps on their bellies.

If you’re experiencing dry skin, here are some natural remedies to help your skin feel hydrated.

Moisturize at the grocery store

Mix up your own soap

Try yogurt

Massage a thin layer of plain yogurt into your skin with your fingertips and leave it on for two or three minutes. Cleanse with warm water and dry off with a towel.

Take a milk bath

Milk baths are another dairy-based solution that can soothe dry skin. Like yogurt, the natural lactic acid in milk can eliminate dead skin cells and hydrate skin.

The American Pregnancy Association strongly suggests that bath water should be warm rather than hot, and that pregnant women limit their time in the bath to 10 minutes or less.

Limit your shower time

Should I be concerned about my dry skin?

dark urine
fatigue
appetite loss
depression
light-colored stool

Last medically reviewed on June 14, 2018

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

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.).
skincarenet.org/article-6.html
Pregnant in a hot tub. (n.d.).
americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/hot-tubs-during-pregnancy/
Skin changes in pregnancy. (2015).
americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/skin-changes-during-pregnancy/
Skin conditions during pregnancy. (2014).
acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Skin-Conditions-During-Pregnancy

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Share this article

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

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.

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Pregnancy skin care in Ufa

There is not a single organ, not a single cell in a woman's body that pregnancy would not have affected. And the skin is one of the first to be affected by this, because it is an organ with many functions, which is closely connected with all body systems.

What is the main cause of skin changes during pregnancy?

Of course it's hormones. The hormonal background sharply changes polarity. If earlier, before conception, estrogens, which are called the hormones of femininity, ensured youth, beauty and radiance of girlish skin, then from the moment of fertilization they give way to progesterone, the hormone that preserves pregnancy. And he mobilizes all the resources of the female body to ensure the safety of life and health of the unborn baby, perhaps somewhere even to the detriment of mother's beauty.

How does the skin change during pregnancy?

Estrogens have a complex effect on a woman's skin:

regulation of the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands
skin update
free radical protection
maintenance of optimal skin hydrobalance
regulation of skin immunity - resistance to penetration of bacteria and fungi

Now let's imagine that all this stopped working because there is not enough estrogen. Of course, the skin has compensatory capabilities, but it will take some time for them to work. Therefore, "troubles" arise:

Acne (acne)
Excessive greasiness and oily sheen, or, conversely, dryness and flaking of the skin.
Changes in skin elasticity and the appearance of stretch marks.
Increased work of pigment-producing cells and, as a result, hyperpigmentation, ugly spots, including on the skin of the face; growth of papillomas, moles and warts.
Excessive sweating.

Toxicosis, varicose veins and other problems of pregnancy

Such a problem as early toxicosis of pregnant women, especially if it is pronounced, also does not have the best effect on the condition of the skin of the expectant mother. Increased salivation and vomiting lead to dehydration (dehydration). The skin becomes thinner, acquires a grayish tint, sometimes with a slight yellowness. Dark circles appear under the eyes, because here the skin is the thinnest and does not have a subcutaneous fat layer at all.

Due to poor appetite, the body of a pregnant woman does not receive the necessary vitamins, which, in turn, also affects the condition of the skin and its appendages (hair, nails). Peeling, excessive dryness of the skin, cracks in the corners of the mouth (jamming), irritation, increased skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, skin itching, hair loss and brittle nails may appear.

With late toxicosis , fluid retention in the body and the appearance of edema come first. The skin becomes loose "watery", signs of cellulite appear, with injury, infection of the injury site may develop, since immunity is reduced.

Many women, especially with repeated pregnancies, suffer from varicose - these are vascular networks on the legs, and ugly protruding tortuous veins, and the same edema.

A common problem can also be pruritus , which worries a woman in the last months of pregnancy. Usually it is itching of the palms, feet and abdomen. At the same time, no rashes are observed in places of itching, however, the itching itself can bring significant discomfort. In addition, scratching can become infected. This skin itch is associated with the fact that the liver of the expectant mother works with an increased load and produces substances that irritate skin receptors.

Mammary glands

During pregnancy, the mammary glands are actively supplied with blood and increase in size. The dream of many girls - to have big beautiful breasts - comes true. However, there is a very important nuance here - without proper care, the beauty and shape of the breast at the end of breastfeeding can be hopelessly lost. Judging by how many women are forced to turn to plastic surgery specialists and how many different “miraculous remedies for breast restoration” and getting rid of stretch marks are offered by the modern beauty industry, the problem needs to be dealt with from the first day of pregnancy.

Breast care should be discussed separately so that at the end of the lactation period it does not lose its shape and beauty. In addition to the usual hygiene procedures (washing with warm water and baby soap), a contrast shower for the mammary glands and physical exercises to strengthen the pectoral muscles are recommended. In addition, to prevent the appearance of stretch marks, you should start using breast care products as soon as possible, which improve the elasticity and extensibility of the skin in this delicate area. An important point is also the selection and wearing of a bra made of natural fabric with wide straps, which will not allow the chest to sag.

General recommendations for the selection of care and color cosmetics during pregnancy

Cosmetics for a pregnant woman should be neutral and hypoallergenic, do not include perfumes and dyes. Often, due to the increased sensitivity of pregnant women to odors, even tried-and-true and favorite creams may not smell like they used to, and cause irritation and discomfort when applied.

The main task of caring cosmetics for pregnant women is to moisturize, soothe the skin, protect it from ultraviolet radiation, increase its elasticity and extensibility.

Skin care products should not contain pharmacological components such as hormones, antibiotics, retinoids, etc. , especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the laying and formation of the baby's organs takes place. This is particularly the case for acne treatments. It is known that many drugs, even those applied topically, can have a systemic effect, being absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes, thereby damaging the health of the unborn child. Therefore, with a pronounced problem of acne, you should contact a specialist in dermatocosmetology.

Pregnancy is not a disease, so you can do makeup and use decorative cosmetics. It is always pleasant to be beautiful and well-groomed, it improves your mood and creates a positive outlook on the world around you, increases self-esteem. If the skin during pregnancy has not changed its susceptibility to previously used decorative cosmetics, you can safely apply it. It is only necessary to refrain from using especially persistent products, such as waterproof mascara or long-lasting lipstick, as they are more likely to cause irritation, dryness and flaking of the skin.

Pregnancy is not a reason to refuse to visit a beauty parlor or salon. Massages, masks and light peels are perfectly acceptable. Only hardware cosmetology and procedures that can be painful, such as injections, epilation, manual skin cleansing, etc., are not allowed. The pain threshold during pregnancy changes, it can either increase or decrease, and in pursuit of beauty, you can leave beauty salon directly to the maternity hospital. It is necessary to warn the cosmetologist about your condition so that he can select a special care program for pregnant women.

Pregnancy is also not the time to try cosmetic novelties, no matter how attractive and tempting they may seem.

Cosmetic problems of pregnant women and methods of their solution

Hyperpigmentation - manifests itself in the form of age spots on the skin of the face and some parts of the body, especially those that receive regular contact with ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, all care products should contain sunscreens, not chemical, but physical, so as not to cause allergies. In the period from April to September, when solar activity is especially strong, the protection factor (SPF) should be 30 or higher, and in winter SPF 10-15 will be enough.

Natural home-made cosmetics can be no worse than patented factory ones, with their undoubted advantage - they are completely harmless. So, hyperpigmentation with dry and sensitive skin of the face will decrease significantly after regularly wiping it twice a day with parsley decoction. This plant has bleaching properties and contains beta-carotene and vitamin C. If the skin is oily and "prone to imperfections", treatment with a slice of lemon 1-2 times a day will help solve the problem of age spots.

Chloasma pregnant
Yellowish-brown spots symmetrically located on the forehead, on both sides of the nose, on the cheekbones and bridge of the nose. It is practically impossible to prevent the appearance of a “pregnancy mask”, as this unpleasant aesthetic flaw is sometimes called, although it does not appear in every expectant mother. Gradually, after childbirth, it will disappear on its own, however, if this process is delayed, it will be possible to effectively deal with it only at the end of breastfeeding, since special whitening creams may contain components harmful to the baby.

Pregnancy stretch marks

Stretch marks or striae remain in places that have undergone the greatest changes in volume - the abdomen, mammary glands, thighs, buttocks. On the stomach, stretch marks look especially unattractive - at first they are purple-bluish, with time they become whitish. They do not occur in everyone, hereditary predisposition plays a significant role here.

In the subcutaneous fat layer, due to the low extensibility of tissues, microtears occur, which subsequently transform into stretch marks. This cosmetic defect is easier to prevent if you immediately start using special products containing elastin, collagen, and moisturizing ingredients. Then the skin will be more elastic, and later, when the volumes return to the original ones, this will happen without prejudice to the appearance of the young mother.

Acne, or acne , especially if a woman suffered from this disease before pregnancy, tends to worsen and increase symptoms. Periods of exacerbation usually occur in the early stages - 4-8 weeks and in the interval from 13 to 20 weeks. This is due to fluctuations in the hormonal background and increased production of direct stimulants for the production of sebum.

The problem of acne, in addition to aesthetic damage, causes psychological damage to a pregnant woman, since most of the drugs used to treat acne are prohibited during pregnancy. Therefore, a dermatocosmetologist should give effective recommendations for caring for the face of a pregnant patient with acne. Typically, these recommendations consist of a thorough daily facial skin care using approved external products. Systemic drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, retinoids are prohibited during pregnancy and lactation.

Skin beauty and proper diet during pregnancy

It's no secret that pregnant women often gravitate toward exotic foods, eat chalk, sauerkraut, pickles, peppers, herring, etc.