Itchy Skin During Pregnancy

• The skin of belly area stretches as the baby growth takes place. Similarly, the skin around the breasts also increases in size, due to the formation of milk within them. This expansion, thus, becomes the prime reason for itchy skin.
• During pregnancy, women go through several changes in the body. Change in the release of estrogen hormone is one of them. During this time, estrogen is released in high amounts and it can be one of the causes of itching on the palms and sole. But this type of itchiness is temporary and it goes away after the delivery of the baby.
• Some women sweat a lot during pregnancy, which results in heat rashes on the belly. These heat rashes become very itchy. Also in few cases, the reason can be different for the occurrence of these rashes. In this case, it is advisable to contact your doctor.
• During third trimester, Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP) occur in almost 1 in 150 pregnant women. They are red, itchy and are large sized. They grow in belly, thighs, hips and arms region. PUPPP do not harm the women, but are extremely itching. They are common in those who are pregnant for the first time or have twins.
• A type of the blister, known as Herpes Gestationis, is responsible for the itching in the abdomen area. It gradually spreads to other parts of the body too. They are also called as pemphigoid gestationis and are temporary.
• Obstetric Cholestasis is also one of the reasons for the itchy skin during pregnancy. Sometimes, due to the severe liver disease, itching takes place in hands and feet. If they become more serious, it may also accompany some other problems along with the itching such as jaundice, nausea, vomiting, etc. One must consult a doctor to cure the same.
• Skin allergies too can be one of the causes of the itchy skin in the pregnant women such as eczema.

• For the normal temporary itching which occurs during pregnancy, over-the-counter medications and topical ointments are usually used to get relief. One should contact a doctor for the medication.
• To avoid getting the itchy skin, never go for a long hot water bath. Hot water may make the skin dry and itchy. If in case you are suffering with itchy skin, take a bath in lukewarm oatmeal water.  
• Fill a quarter of warm water in a small bucket. Add a cup of cornstarch and ½ cup of baking soda into it. Now take a clean towel and dip it in this solution. Squeeze this towel gently and make sure that the solution does not come out. Pat this towel on the itchy skin. This method greatly helps in providing a relief from itchy skin.
• Do not use soaps containing alcohol. Instead prefer gentle and fragrance free moisturizing soaps. Soaps with fragrance may increase the itchiness.
• During pregnancy, always wear loose clothes. Avoid wearing tight clothes as they get rubbed from the skin and many cause itching.
• Dryness is the major factor in causing itchiness, so always moisturize your skin. Application of cocoa butter or Aloe Vera products on the itchy skin is beneficial.
• Never rub your skin too hard to get relief from the itchy skin. Also keep the calamine oil handy.

Pregnancy is a gift of God but it is not all rosy an affair, for the same comes with its share of problems. Itchy skin during pregnancy, in most of the cases, is normal. One can very easily avoid skin itching during pregnancy by taking care of little things given in the above lines.