Ways to Overcome Itching During Pregnancy

It is normal for pregnant women to feel itchiness that is more than usual compared to before pregnancy. There are various factors that can trigger itching in pregnant women, ranging from hormones, skin conditions, to certain medical conditions.

The most itchy body area is usually in the abdomen and breast. If what you feel is mild itching, it is generally considered normal. Nearly 25 percent of pregnant women experience itching, but if the itching is severe and covers almost the entire surface of the body's skin, then you should not ignore it because there is a possibility caused by a more serious medical condition.

The following are some of the causes of itching in pregnant women which are usually not a serious condition.

• An increase in blood supply to the skin.
• Widespread tissue under the skin layer as your womb grows.
• Your skin is dry.
• Hormone changes occur which cause discomfort, including itching of the hands, palms, legs and stomach.
• Common medical conditions on the skin, such as eczema. When you are pregnant, the arrival of eczema is more difficult to predict. Even you can experience eczema for the first time. Meanwhile, if you have previously experienced eczema, this condition can improve or even worsen during the pregnancy.
• Skin irritation due to fungal infections or mite bites.
• Some women can experience palmar erythema or redness of the palm of the hand which is sometimes accompanied by itching. The cause of this condition alone is increased estrogen hormone levels during pregnancy.

In addition to the above causes, the itching felt during pregnancy can also be caused by more serious medical conditions, such as obstetric cholestasis. Although obstetric cholestasis is rare, this condition requires special medical attention. Obstetric cholestasis is a liver disorder that can occur when you are pregnant. Under normal conditions, bile salts flow from the liver to the intestine to help digest food. However, in the conditions of obstetric cholestasis, bile salts do not flow as they should and stagnate in your body.

Then How to Overcome the Itching that Appears?

When you feel mild itching, try to take the following steps.

1. Avoid hot temperatures. Including don't bathe with hot water, be exposed to direct sunlight, or wear clothes that make you hot. Hot temperatures can make you more prone to feeling itchy. Besides that, the temperature that is too hot isn't good for your baby either.

2. Avoid cleaning products that contain strong perfumes and detergents because they can make your skin dry or irritated, and make itching more easily. Instead, use mild soap that can moisturize the skin or soap with a balanced pH content.

3. Apply calamine lotion to the area of ​​the itchy skin. This cream is generally safe for use by pregnant women to reduce itching.

4. Refresh your skin with a moisturizing cream that doesn't contain fragrance or perfume.

5. If you experience eczema, consult your doctor about creams or ointments that are safe to use.

What to do if the method still doesn't work?

If you have taken all the steps above and your condition has not improved after a week, see a doctor. In addition, distinguish the usual mild itching with itching which indicates obstetric cholestasis.

In obstetric cholestasis, patients experience more frequent itching and occur in a large area of ​​the body's skin. In addition, itching often worsens at night. You can feel itching on your palms or soles. Even though you experience itching that is generally not accompanied by a skin rash, some women can also experience a severe rash. Meanwhile, the stool changes color to pale and the color of urine becomes dark.

The doctor will do a blood test and liver function. In addition, because of the link between obstetric cholestasis and the birth of a baby (stillbirth), the obstetrician may offer a cesarean delivery or induction after 37 weeks of pregnancy.

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