Skin Itch in Pregnancy

It is normal to feel itchy especially on your growing abdomen and breasts while your skin stretches to accommodate growth. The increase in hormones during pregnancy also play a role in causing itchy skin.

Some ladies may also find that things that normally make them itch such as dry skin may become itchier when you are pregnant. Eczema often worsens during pregnancy, however some find their condition gets better during pregnancy.

With psoriasis the situation is reversed, many women report their psoriasis is less severe during pregnancy, however a few report pregnancy makes it worse.

There are certain conditions specific to pregnancy that may cause a very itchy rash or an itch all over the body and no rash

Itch from stretching skin
If you itch is from your skin stretching or from dry skin you could try the following:

Use unscented soap, rinse off all soap and dry gently.
Avoid hot showers and baths.

Using oatmeal in the bath can help

Use unscented body lotion

Avoid sunbathing

Wear loose cotton clothing

If your rash is severe contact your midwife or doctor as you may need a cream or tablets to relieve the symptoms, you may even need a referral to a dermatologist if your rash is severe.

Intense itching without a rash
Intense itching without a rash in the second but more commonly in the third trimester of pregnancy can be a sign of a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, this is a liver problem that affects a very small number of pregnant women.

If bile does not flow in the normal way from your liver, bile salts collect in your skin and it is the bile salts which make you itch.

Itching may start on the palms of your hands and your feet but can become generalised. This is extremely intense itching and can be worse at night.

This condition does not cause a rash, but sometimes the skin is red and irritated from scratching.

It is important you contact your midwife or doctor, as they will want to do blood tests, for example liver function tests to help diagnose this condition.

If you are diagnosed with cholestasis of pregnancy you will have ultrasound scans, fetal heart monitoring and repeat liver function blood tests. You may also be treated with medication which will help liver function and reduce the itching. It is likely your baby will be delivered before his due date.

This condition will go away after you deliver your baby.

Itching with a rash

Some conditions can cause an itchy rash during pregnancy. It can be confusing as to what is causing the itchy rash, so it is important you contact your midwife or doctor.

One example is:PUPPP
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy also known as PUPPP is a condition that some pregnant women develop and it presents as an itch, red bumps and patches of hive like rash on the abdomen.
PUPPP can present in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. It is more common in twin pregnancy or first time pregnancy. The eruptions can be very itchy and can spread down thighs, buttocks and back.
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve the symptoms.
There is no evidence that PUPPP is dangerous, and it usually disappears within a few days after your baby is born.