Though the itchiness of the skin is quite a pain during pregnancy, there are certain natural remedies beneficial in soothing the irritating feeling and providing good relief. As unpleasant as this itchy skin is, when you get right down to it, it’s really no surprise that it happens when you become pregnant. If you're being driven mad by itching during pregnancy, don't panic. Itching often affects pregnant women and usually disappears after the birth. Causes of Itching all Over Body During Pregnancy. Pregnancy. Mild itching is usually nothing to worry about. Wear clothing that is loose so it is less likely to irritate the skin. The vast majority of pregnant mamas have nothing to worry about when it comes to itching skin during pregnancy. Most itching is normal and nothing to worry about but there is a condition call Cholestasis of pregnancy that will need treatment. Cholestasis of pregnancy usually starts with itching on the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet and then the itching begins to spread to other parts of the body, especially the belly. Before you rush to the doctor or pharmacy to grab a bottle of lotion, let’s take a look at what causes itching at night. These are available in so many styles that one exists for nearly every body part. Other women may have PUPPS, an uncomfortable but generally harmless skin rash. The itching was an irritation more than anything, it mostly happened at night and I wasn’t sleeping that well anyway. When is itchy skin a sign of something else during pregnancy? In women, itching can sometimes be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and after the menopause. Your clothes make it worse by constantly rubbing against those itchy patches. Mild itching in pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about — it’s often due to the increased blood supply, or the skin being stretched. Bed Clothes and Linen. Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night also keeps the air moist and skin moisturized. The exact reason for this is not always clear. Normally, bile acids flow from your liver to your gut to help you digest food. I was sailing into my 35 th week of pregnancy, finally on leave from work and hoping to get a lot done while I “rested” at home. Pregnancy and the menopause. PUPPS affects somewhere … 1. You might also endure itching as the skin surface on your abdomen stretches. It usually starts out being mildly annoying but progresses quickly in severity, often to the point women are clawing at themselves until they bleed. In rare cases, itchy skin can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as thyroid, liver or kidney problems. Skin Stretching - As the skin stretches to accommodate the growing fetus, it can become itchy and uncomfortable. Itchy skin during pregnancy at night may disrupt the sleep and make it challenging to have a full night’s good sleep. The majority of patients, however, will complain of itching daily and in many cases, the itching will occur at night and ruin sleep. Itching during pregnancy. For an itchy belly during pregnancy, a belly balm or vitamin E oil will also help moisturize your skin. However, if your itching is severe, it could be a sign of something more serious (particularly if it mainly affects your hands and feet). It's normal for your skin to feel itchy while you're pregnant. It's very common, affecting almost a quarter of all pregnant women. Is the itching all over, or localized? This is a liver condition that can develop in pregnancy. The reasons range from harmless rashes to more serious conditions. Hormone … Your stretching skin or changing hormones may be at least partly to blame. Itchy skin is also common during pregnancy or after the menopause. Why is my skin so itchy during pregnancy? As we try to unravel the reason behind itchy skin and itchy legs during pregnancy, let's understand Cholestasis.   PUPPP usually occurs during … Some of the symptoms make it different from every-day itching: The itching often affects the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. Itching of the body at night can also be referred to as nocturnal pruritus. I thought it was going to drive me crazy, and it was worse at night. Athlete’s foot . Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause this symptom. Mild itching is common in pregnancy because of the increased blood supply to the skin. This can result in itching throughout the body that frequently becomes more persistent at night. When you're expecting, your body sends more blood to the skin and stretches it over your belly, which may cause mild itching. Your personal items could be causing your nighttime itching due to irritants and even parasites. But first, a bit about mild itching. For example, your body temperature level and the blood circulation to your skin both increase in the evening, warming your skin. I remember getting up at 3 a.m. and slathering lotion on my belly, unable to stop scratching. I had this horrible, itchy rash on the underside of my belly toward the end of my second pregnancy. This can be a very difficult condition to deal with while you try to rest your body after a busy day. Try to wear clothing made of natural fibers, such as cotton, which are more breathable than synthetic materials. pregnancy; cancer; Skin conditions Dry skin. During the day, the itch was noticeable, but concentrated on her palms and feet. The itching in most cases is generalized; meaning it occurs on almost every part of the body. Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, or PUPPP, is the most common pregnancy-related itchy rash, affecting up to 1 in 160 pregnancies. IAN HOOTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques . This is caused by hormonal changes and usually gets better over time. Start the night off on the cool side and reduce itching related to elevated skin temperature. Regularly apply an unscented lotion or moisturizer. Occasionally, itching can be linked to a psychological condition such as depression or anxiety. No matter the cause, an itchy rash during pregnancy can add anxiety and discomfort to an already difficult time. Sarah Strand suffered from intense itching for months during her first pregnancy before finding out that she had cholestasis, a serious liver disease that can result in stillbirth. With generalized pruritus, there is itching throughout the body. The rapid hormone and body changes that accompany pregnancy can frequently lead to itching all over your body. You can barely concentrate because you’re trying to resist the urge to scratch.Believe us, it’s no fun at all. ″Pregnant patients should remember that rashes and associated itching are common in pregnancy and can be treated with over-the-counter and topical medicines,″ says Dr. Garcia. Although itching can occur at any time of day or night, some conditions preferentially aggravate the itch during night time. Your body’s natural circadian rhythms, or day-to-day cycles, affect skin functions like temperature level policy, fluid balance, and barrier security. Humidifiers Pregnancy. Itchy skin can have many causes and treatments, but if the itchy skin only happens at night this could help to narrow down the search for an appropriate diagnosis. During pregnancy, Intrahepatic Cholestasis O Pregnancy (ICP) is the main cause of itching. One symptom which is extremely common is itchy skin. Learn more about skin conditions in pregnancy . The itching is often worse at night. Your skin is stretching a lot to accommodate that tiny human in there, and that can cause itching. Overall, the intensity of itching is worse at night compared to the day time. These functions change at night. You may have cholestasis of pregnancy, which is a serious condition that needs medical treatment. Most people have natural mechanisms that cause nighttime itching of the body. There is no rash. If you experience mild itching during pregnancy, there are several natural steps you can take to alleviate your symptoms. The reduction in stimuli at night and especially when sleeping may make a person more aware of the itching. More severe itching may indicate an underlying liver condition called Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) or Obstetric Cholestasis (OC). Listen . Dry and itchy skin is very common when you're pregnant, particularly on your growing stomach. Itching can also be caused by: Other common skin conditions, including eczema. Pregnancy: More than 1 in 10 pregnant women say itching is a problem. And talk to your doctor about using an anti-itch lotion with natural ingredients like calamine or menthol. Sleep and Stimuli. Itching can also be a symptom of a condition called intraheptic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP, also known as obstetric cholestasis). Itchy skin on your tummy could be caused by an uncommon condition ... it makes you intensely itchy over large areas of your body. 2. Night time itching can be intense enough to disrupt normal sleep. Itchy feet at night and during pregnancy is a common symptom of liver disorder caused by a buildup of bile acid in the body. Itching during pregnancy, as the blood flow to the skin, raises, it is prevalent to feel moderate itching, especially around your abdomen and legs. The itching may be localized, where the itch only occurs in certain isolated parts of the body. 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