Itching during pregnancy

Is it normal to have itching during pregnancy?

Yes, mild itching in pregnancy is normal in most cases. It's also common – up to 20 percent of women have itchy skin during pregnancy.

You may feel especially itchy around your belly and breasts as your skin stretches to accommodate their growth. (And yes, that includes itchy nipples, which are also common during pregnancy.) Dry skin and hormonal changes may also contribute to the extra itchiness. In the winter, dry heat (especially from radiators) can also exacerbate itching.

Some itchy skin conditions, such as eczema, can get worse during pregnancy, though some women find that their eczema improves. With psoriasis, however, many women report less severe symptoms during pregnancy, while few find that their psoriasis gets worse.

If you have a new itchy rash during pregnancy or you're experiencing severe itching on your palms or the soles of your feet, reach out to your healthcare provider – these are sometimes symptoms of more serious conditions that require medical care.

Ways to prevent itching during pregnancy

You may not be able to prevent itchy skin entirely, but these tips might minimize itching in pregnancy:

• Take lukewarm showers and baths. Hot water can dry out your skin and make the itching worse. (It's best to avoid super-hot baths when you're pregnant anyway.) Use mild, fragrance-free soap, and rinse it off well. Towel yourself dry gently.
• Stay as cool as possible. Try to avoid being outside for extended periods in the heat of the day because heat (and overheating) can make itching worse.
• Wear comfy clothing. Loose cotton clothing keeps your skin from getting irritated.
• Moisturize. Slather on fragrance-free lotion or cream after you take a shower or bath. Consider keeping lotion in the fridge so that moisturizing your skin also feels cooling. 
• Lower your stress. Take steps to reduce stress and anxiety while you're pregnant. It may not seem connected, but these can actually make itching worse.

How to relieve itchy skin during pregnancy

Do your best not to scratch because it can irritate your skin further and increase the risk of skin infections. If you're itching because of dry, stretched skin, these simple measures can give you some relief:

• Apply cold. Put an ice pack or a cool, wet compress on itchy areas for five to ten minutes, or until the itch fades.
• Moisturize. Lotions and creams that are free of fragrances are best. Pure aloe vera gel applied directly to itchy areas may also provide some temporary relief.
• Take an occasional warm oatmeal bath. You can buy commercially prepared oatmeal baths in drugstores or online.
• Apply medicines before moisturizing. Talk to your healthcare provider about topical, anti-itch medications that are available over-the-counter, including calamine lotion. While most of these medicines are safe during pregnancy, it's best to review them with your ob-gyn or midwife first. If your provider prescribes you a topical medication for itching during pregnancy, apply it as instructed and then moisturize your whole body, even the areas of skin you've just treated with medication.

When to call your doctor about itching during pregnancy

Call your provider if you:

• Develop a new rash during pregnancy
• Have a skin condition that's getting worse
• Feel very itchy, especially on your hands and feet, but don't have a rash

Your provider will want to do a physical exam and potentially order some blood tests so they can diagnose any potential problems, recommend appropriate treatment, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary.

While most itching in pregnancy is normal, some conditions that cause itchy skin can affect your baby's well-being and require special monitoring or treatment. For example, severe itching without a rash can be a symptom of cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition that happens when bile starts building up in the liver.

And although an itchy rash during pregnancy is usually one of several uncomfortable-but-harmless conditions, it can be a symptom of a serious, rare condition called pemphigoid gestationis.

If you develop small and itchy raised spots that look like pimples around your belly – especially in the third trimester – they may be pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (commonly known as a PUPPP rash), a rare pregnancy skin condition that doesn't lead to complications but can cause severe itching.

Read more:

Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore

Skin darkening during pregnancy