Natural Home Remedies For Skin Itching During Pregnancy
Mukta Agrawal
Are you feeling itchy all over your body? Are you unable to understand why’s it happening, and are finding this abnormal?
Are You Pregnant?
Calm down and breathe! This is nothing to worry about.
What you are facing is one of the most common difficulties experienced by all women during pregnancy – “Itchiness”.
One ordinary question you may have must be “Is It Normal To Feel Itchy During Pregnancy?”.
Yes. It is absolutely normal to feel itchy during pregnancy, especially around your growing belly and growing breasts. Your skin tends to feel dry as your skin stretches and tightens from the growth of your belly.
This dryness is what causes to feel itchy. Hormonal changes in your body can also be a reason to blame. The changing hormones are one major reason why you feel itchy all over.
Your body experiences a lot of transformation, both hormonal and emotional when you are pregnant. One common change nearly a quarter of all pregnant women undergo is bodily itching.
Your stretching skin, increased blood supply to your skin and changes in the hormonal levels increase the urge to scratch. The itching is more usual on your womb and also on your breasts.
Is This Common? Yes.
Do You Need To worry? No.
Mild itching is common and even expected. However, if you are experiencing severe itching, then there may be an underlying infection or a dysfunctional condition.
In such a case, it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately The following article outlines some skin conditions which may cause severe itching. If you are experiencing a severe urge to scratch, then you may have contracted any one of the below conditions.
Itchiness is quite a pain during pregnancy. As the body changes and increases in size, stretching the skin and gaining weight, there’s a sort of tightness that takes over your body. Couple that with constant change in hormones and your body responds to all that with itchiness all over the skin.
Thankfully, there are certain natural remedies for itchy skin during pregnancy which can be quite beneficial in soothing the itchy feeling and getting the much-needed relief. These are also useful in ensuring that you stay safe during pregnancy.
What Are The Causes Of Itching During Pregnancy?
Body itching during pregnancy at night is not of much concern and is most often a result of changes that happen in your body. These changes include:
Increased blood supply to the skin
Stretched skin
Developing stretch marks
Hormonal changes
Dry and itchy skin, which may hint at pruritic urticarial papules and plaques
Tiny raised spots all over the body.
Severe and uncontrollable itching, which could further hint at a serious medical condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) that affects the liver.
Common Skin Diseases For The Cause Of Itchiness
1. Eczema
Eczema is one of the common skin diseases which is cannot quite be predicted when you are pregnant. You might tend to expand eczema infection for the first time. If a woman is already suffering from eczema, it often worsens during pregnancy.
Though, some of the women observe that their condition has improved during pregnancy. It could either get better or worse, while you are pregnant.
It is very common for eczema skin disease to make your skin itch in the folds of your skin, like the insides of your elbows and knees. It is recommended to consult your doctor to recommend safe treatments for you to soothe eczema.
2. Thrush
Thrush is a minor disease that can make you itch is thrush. It is one of the most common fungal infections which causes severe itchiness.
3. Scabies
Another minor disease that can make you itch. It is caused by tiny mites which irritate your skin, and it’s found to be itchy.
Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy
Vaginal itching is a very usual sign during the pregnancy. It mainly occurs because there is an increase in the vaginal discharge during pregnancy. The excess vaginal discharge tends to cause the skin of the female vulva to get irritated.
Another purpose for you to experience vaginal itching could be irritation due to soap, lotion or some detergent.
Hence, your vaginal itching could be just because of the vaginal discharge.
But in some unusual cases, it could also be a sign of infection like bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, herpes, trichomoniasis, or HPV.
Can The Itchiness You Feel Harm Your Baby?
In most of the cases, skin itchiness will neither harm nor affect your baby. It is only some small thing you tend to suffer from, but it does not cause any potential harm to your baby.
Prevention Tips
Keep your skin well moisturized, especially if you have dry skin.
Use unscented soaps and lotions as the scented ones may aggravate the condition.
Avoid hot baths or showers as they dry your skin out, causing it to itch even more.
Rinse yourself well with water after every shower to get rid of any traces of soap or shampoo.
Use a soft towel to dry yourself.
Wear loose and light clothing.
Do not overuse loofahs.
Use mild detergents to wash your clothes.
Avoid going out in the sun.
Drink lots of water.
Do not wear wet clothes or swimwear for too long as they promote fungal growth.
Avoid being in an air-conditioned room for too long as it tends to dry out the skin.
Now how to get relief from itching during pregnancy, here are some home remedies to relieve itching in pregnancy third trimester and throughout your pregnancy.
Remedies For Itching During Pregnancy
1. By Using Cold Compresses
Required Things Are
Simply a single ice pack.
What You Need To Do Is?
Take the ice pack and place it in the areas that are itching for a few minutes.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
You can apply ice packs as and when you need some fast relief.
Why This Remedy Works?
An ice pack is best for providing cold compresses. These, in general, take care of any inflammation that might be present on the skin and bring relief from the itchiness. The ice instantly soothes the area and brings some temporary calm from itching.
2. Using Some Lemon Juice
What Will You Require?
Some lemon juice
A little water
A swab of cotton.
What Should You Do?
Take the lemon juice and dilute it with water.
Take the cotton swab and dip it in the solution.
Apply the swab on the area that is itching.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Apply the cotton swab on the area up to two times in a day.
Why This Remedy Works?
Lemon juice has a soothing quality to itself that is useful in relieving the itch. It also contains antimicrobial substances in it, that helps remove any microbes that might be present on the surface.
3. Using Paste Made Out Of Gram Flour
What Will You Require?
Some gram flour, also known as besan
Water
What Should You Do?
Take some gram flour in a bowl, add water to it, and mix it properly to form a nice paste.
You may use milk instead of water as well for extra moisturizing.
Use this paste on the area that itches and let it dry for some time.
Later, wash it off.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Apply this paste up to two times in a day over the affected area.
Why This Remedy Works?
Besan has been observed to keep the skin fresh and extremely soft. Since it has these inherent properties, using it as a paste allows the skin to be moisturized and bring relief from any itch.
4. Using Root Of Dandelion
What Will You Require?
A small amount of the dandelion root
A cup of hot water
What Should You Do?
Take the dandelion root and put it in the cup of hot water.
Let it sit in hot water for some minutes.
Strain the water into another glass and drink it.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Take a swig of this tea up to two times in a day.
Why This Remedy Works?
Itchiness in the skin can also be caused due to the non-optimal functioning of the liver, termed as cholestasis. The dandelion root contains properties that stimulate bile flow and improve liver functionality. This, as a result, also helps in reducing the itchiness on the skin.
5. Using Calamine Lotion
What Will You Require?
Just some calamine lotion
What Should You Do?
Take a small portion of the lotion and apply it to the area of the skin that is itching.
Massage it gently till it covers the entire area.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Apply this natural lotion at least two times in a day over the affected area.
Why This Remedy Works?
Women suffering from a polymorphic eruption of pregnancy get itchy skin and red rashes over the body. When it comes to itching on your stomach during the pregnancy home remedies, any natural calamine lotion is the best bet. It reduces itchiness as well as stops any irritation or inflammation from appearing again.
6. Using Coconut Oil
What Will You Require?
Some extra virgin coconut oil
What Should You Do?
Make sure your skin is clean and dry.
Take a few drops of the oil and apply it on the affected area.
Massage it over the area for a few minutes until the oil is completely absorbed by the skin.
Keep it as is and do not wash it.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Apply the oil on the affected area up to two times in a day.
Why This Remedy Works?
Coconut oil has the capability to permeate through the skin and reach the skin cells that are dry. Providing them with fatty acids that are necessary, the irritation starts reducing. The antimicrobial properties of the oil also deal with any skin infections that might be causing the irritation or inflammation
7. Using Baking Soda During Bath
What Will You Require?
A few spoons of baking soda
Water
What Should You Do?
Take some powder of the baking soda and make some paste out of it.
Apply the paste on the areas that are itchy, including the stomach, too.
Let it dry off on the skin and then wash it away with some cold water.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Applying the paste should be done daily.
Why This Remedy Works?
The baking soda paste is known to bring relief from dry skin and any itching. Any redness or irritation that is a result of it, along with accompanying pain, is taken care of by the soda. The soda paste is known to restore the pH balance that’s necessary for healthy skin.
8. Using Aloe Vera Gel
What Will You Require?
A leaf of the aloe vera plant
What Should You Do?
Take the aloe vera leaf and cut it sideways.
Collect the gel that is present in it inside a container that is airtight.
Apply the gel to the itching area and massage it till it absorbs inside.
Keep the remaining gel in a cool place.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
The gel can be applied on the itching area up to two times in a day.
Why This Remedy Works?
The aloe vera plant is very well known to provide healthy skin benefits and treatment of skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties and inherent hydrating constituents give the skin the moisture it requires, making it soft, and soothing the itchiness as well.
9. Using Oatmeal During Bath
What will you Require?
One cup of oatmeal
Some warm water
What Should You Do?
Take the oatmeal and add it to the bath water.
Immerse yourself in this water and let yourself be for 10 to 12 minutes.
Later, rinse with clean water and remove the oatmeal.
How Many Times Should You Do It?
Use oatmeal in your bath up to two to three times in a week.
Why This Remedy Works?
Oatmeal bath is highly recommended for treatment of itching skin. With the soothing properties it has, it directly affects all the irritated portions and brings much-needed relief.
Itchiness can become quite a skin irritation throughout the pregnancy journey. Itching during pregnancy in the 9th month has certain above home remedies which are very useful in keeping yourself in the prime of health. With some quick natural remedies that can be done at home, you can find yourself relieved from the pain and carry on with your life.
It is always the best idea to consult a doctor if you get itching. If left unattended, the itchiness may increase and lead to worse skin conditions. Stay hydrated and use a good moisturizer to keep your skin healthy!!
