It's very common to feel itchy,
particularly around your growing belly and breasts as your skin stretches to
accommodate them. Hormonal changes may also be partly to blame. Some
pregnant women find that their palms and the soles of their feet get red and
sometimes itchy. This condition may be caused by an increase in estrogen. It
usually disappears right after delivery.
You may also find that things
that normally make you itchy, such as dry skin, make you even itchier when
you're pregnant. Eczema often worsens during pregnancy, though some women find
that their condition actually improves.
How
to get relief from itchy skin during pregnancy
· Try to
cut back on warm baths or showers, and cleansing products that contain strong
detergents or perfumes. These can make your skin dry or irritated, and
therefore more prone to itchiness. Use mild, moisturizing soaps or pH-balanced
body washes to clean your skin.
· You could
try smoothing calamine lotion on to your itchy patches, or adding some oatmeal
to your bath. These are traditional remedies, and there isn't a lot of evidence
that they work. However, they are safe to use while you're pregnant and you may
find them comforting.
· Moisturize
your skin well, preferably with unperfumed products. For eczema, apply
whichever creams or ointments your doctor says you can use.
· Try not
to get too hot. Heat rash can make itching worse, so wear loose, cotton
clothing and stay indoors or in the shade if it's really hot. It may not be
good for your baby if you overheat, in any case.
Home
remedies for Itchy Skin during Pregnancy
Here are some natural ingredients
easily available at home, you can use to reduce itching when it starts:
Coconut
oil
Whether due to dry skin or an
insect bite, whatever the cause of the itch, coconut oil can work wonders. The
best way to use it is to rub a little coconut oil directly onto the affected
area. If you suffer from a widespread itch all over the body especially during
the winter, soak in a bathtub of lukewarm water; then just pat yourself dry and
apply the oil all over.
Lemon
With a rich content of vitamin C
and bleaching properties, lemons are one of the best remedies for itchy skin.
The volatile oil in lemon has the ability to numb sensations and is also good
against inflammation. Simply cut a lemon in two and squeeze out a little juice
over the itchy area; allow to air dry and you’ll soon find some relief.
Baking
Soda
Make a paste of baking soda and
water and apply it all over your belly or other areas of itchy skin to
alleviate symptoms such as itchiness, redness, and pain.
Towel
Soak a small towel in cool water,
roll it up and place it between your breasts and growing belly to naturally
cure a breast itch during pregnancy.
Petroleum
Jelly
If your skin is of the sensitive
type, the best remedy is petroleum jelly. It does not contain any harmful
chemicals and by its very nature, has a smoothening action on the skin.
Therefore, it not just relieves your itch, but it also ensures the skin
irritation becomes less. Best of all, it is safe as well as inexpensive and so
you don’t have to worry about how often you apply it.
Apple
Cider Vinegar
Many people use vinegar on the
scalp for dandruff; by the same logic, it works well for itchy skin, too. It
has a good antiseptic and antifungal action and this makes it a good
anti-itching agent. Dip a cotton ball or cloth in a little apple cider vinegar
and dab on the itchy area. Or if you feel a general itchy sensation all over
the body, add a cupful into your bath water.
Aloe
Vera
With all its moisturizing action,
aloe vera is one of the most effective skin smoothening agents. When you rub
the gel over an itchy spot, it helps reduce the skin irritation in that area
and provides quick relief from itching. Just break a leaf from the plant, cut
it lengthwise using a knife and using a spoon, scoop out the jelly-like
substance inside. Apply a little of this gel to the itchy area and leave it on
for a few minutes.
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