Pregnancy comes with both ups and downs. Undoubtedly, it is the best phase for every woman. However, it could at times turn frustrating too. One such issue is itching during pregnancy. With the body undergoing a lot of hormonal and physical changes, side effects like itching are not a surprise or a serious concern especially when there are home remedies for itching during pregnancy.
Itchy skin during pregnancy could turn you down and could worsen your mood especially when those clothes rub over your tummy. You barely resist the urge to scratch, not minding where you are. While we know it is not funny as it sounds, itching is something common for all women and they go through it during the pregnancy phase.
In this article, we shall explain why itchy skin is happening to you and what are the home remedies for itching during pregnancy.
What Causes Itching During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy brings in a lot of changes be it physically or in overall health. Upon pregnancy, the body starts to produce hormones that are required for the full course of pregnancy. This is why you start experiencing the skin becoming hard, tight and itchy, wherein you look to get relief from itching during pregnancy.
A decrease in the flow of blood circulation along with the stretch of muscle to accommodate your baby in the tummy can also make your skin dry, irritating, and itchy. While most of the time the itchy legs during pregnancy you experience is common, at times this could also be due to any skin conditions or rashes.
As told by our panel gynaecologist Dr Ankita Patel Tayal, if you find the itchiness or red bumps in your tummy spreading like a rash all through, you may have something called a PUPPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy) rash. Another itchy pregnancy skin condition is called pemphigoid gestations (PG). You may contact your doctor in this case for further assistance.
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At what month does itching start in pregnancy?
Itchiness is common in pregnancy as it is usually mild during the initial days of pregnancy. However, itching is more severe and common during the third trimester. This could worsen as you near your due date. However, you can relax as the body itching during pregnancy at night will subside once the baby is born.
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Due to hormonal changes, you may experience its severity. This is because of the expanding and moisture-deprived skin. Also, this is one of the reasons for many pregnant women to look for home remedies for itching in private parts during pregnancy.
For many moms, it is during the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy when they start to experience this itchiness and it only seems to get more intense as time passes.
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11 Effective Home Remedies For Itching During Pregnancy
Suddenly, all you feel is the urge to keep itching. Your pregnancy could have brought to you loads of fun as well as feelings such as vomiting, morning sickness, and hunger pangs. You would have probably heard about all these from your family and friends. However, the untold one is itching during pregnancy.
You probably must be worried about this constant feeling of scratching, itching everywhere, not even knowing what you could do. While hormones are said to play a major cause for this, many parents still hunt for home remedies to stop itching during pregnancy.
It is important to note where you experience this itching as most moms-to-be experience it on the belly and breasts because the skin in these areas goes through so many changes.
Listed below are home remedies to stop itching during pregnancy.
1. Moisturize itchy skin
According to a source, moisturizer plays an important role to soothe dry skin especially when you are pregnant. It helps in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and tackling hormonal changes.
Keeping your skin moisturized helps you balance irritation so you feel better. You experience better results when the moisturizer is applied within 5 minutes of taking a shower or bath, after washing your hands, and whenever your skin feels dry.
To keep applying moisturizer throughout the nine months, even when you don’t feel itchy, is one of the best home remedies for itching during pregnancy.
Related Reading: 13 Home Remedies To Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
2. Oatmeal bath
According to a source, oatmeal is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Not only does it help to soothe dry skin, but its anti-inflammatory property also helps in relieving skin irritation. You can add oatmeal to your warm bathwater.
Here is a simple way to prepare your oatmeal bath.
- Use the regular oats / colloidal oatmeal, in a blender or coffee grinder to grind oats into a fine powder
- Make sure your powder is fine enough and does not sink inside the tub
- Add a few handfuls of this colloidal oatmeal to your bath
- The water will turn into the color of milk. This is one of the best home remedies for itching during pregnancy
3. Coconut oil
As per a recent study, coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help in soothing dry skin. Its high moisturizing content helps you get rid of dry skin by penetrating deep into the skin.
You can apply coconut oil to the itchy areas twice a day using the below method.
- Keep skin clean and dry
- Take a few drops of the oil and apply them to the affected area
- Massage it over the area for a few minutes until the oil gets fully absorbed
- Do not pat dry or wash the excess oil
4. Aloe Vera gel
It has been found that aloe vera is an old age remedy that is useful to get relief from itching during pregnancy.
- Just as you use coconut oil, just grab a leaf of aloe vera and cut the leaf to apply the gel to the dry area
- Let it get absorbed for around 30 minutes
- Wash the area and pat dry
The hydrating and moisturizing content in aloe vera help to provide moisture to the dry skin. Your skin will be soft and the gel will give you a relieving feeling.
Related Reading: 11 Easy Tips Glowing Skin During Pregnancy
5. Baking soda bath
The alkaline nature of baking soda helps you in restoring the pH level of the skin. Making a paste and applying it to the dry itchy area is one of the tested home remedies for itching during pregnancy.
Your skin’s pH balance helps to protect your skin from bacteria and also maintain moisture. Baking soda helps treat redness or irritation apart from itchiness that you experience during pregnancy.
- Mix a couple of spoons of baking soda with water until it forms the right consistency
- Apply it to your skin and let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes
- Wash it off with water, without scratching your sensitive skin
6. Cold compress
According to a source, cold compress has a numb and cooling effect which acts as one of the perfect home remedies for itching during pregnancy. This is also the best cure to treat the swelling experienced from itching.
Applying a cold compress on the affected area is an immediate remedy. You can do the following remedy thrice a day.
- Place a cold compress on the itchy areas
- Leave it on for 5 minutes and repeat the process 3 times after every few minutes
- You can also use a wet towel instead of a cold compress
7. Lemon juice
Lemon juice contains citric and ascorbic acids which help to restore the pH levels in the body. Also, the acidic and vitamin C content of the lemon help to reduce inflammation of the skin and reduce itching.
You can follow the below technique on alternative days for the best results.
- Mix the lemon juice with one-fourth cup of water
- Soak a cotton pad in this solution and gently apply it to the affected areas
- Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off
Related Reading: Can Lemon Water During Pregnancy Cause Abortion?
8. Gram flour paste
According to a source, Besan or gram flour paste is one of the most recommended home remedies for itching during pregnancy. It helps to keep the skin soft and smooth giving relief from itchy skin. You can use the paste once every day to keep the skin moisturized and to reduce itching.
- To a few tablespoons of Besan, add oil and water, and mix it
- You can use milk /yogurt instead of water for extra moisturizing
- Apply this paste to the affected area and allow it to dry and wash it later
9. Juniper berry lotion
Juniper (Juniperus communis) berry essential oil (JEO) has been used in skincare products which helps maintain the skin with moisture and retain its pH levels. It has been shown that juniper berries contain strong anti-inflammatory constituents that help to reduce itching and tackle skin irritation.
Apply the jumper berry lotion to the affected area 1 or 2 times daily until you notice an improvement in your condition.
Related Reading: 15 Home Remedies For Pigmentation During Pregnancy
10. Calamine lotion
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends applying OTC medication such as calamine to get relief from itching. It is seen as the best remedy to help dry out the pains and irritations of the skin.
It is good to use this in the case of polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), where pregnant women go through itchy skin and red rashes all over their bodies.
Apply this lotion twice a day in the affected area.
11. Use a humidifier
As per a study, using a humidifier helps to tackle dry skin and itching caused due to skin irritation. Humidifiers release vapor or steam to increase moisture levels in the air (humidity).
Also, keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water and try running a humidifier in your bedroom at night to help your body keep in as much moisture as possible.
Conclusion
Itchy skin is something we all experience at one point or another and it is common during pregnancy. If you had itchy skin in pregnancy before, you might be wondering if you’ll have it again.
While itching during pregnancy is something you cannot avoid, a few tested home remedies for itching during pregnancy are avoiding hot water baths, using loose cotton clothes, and avoiding soaps and gel that come with heavy fragrance or chemicals.