Why does itch during pregnancy? The body itches during pregnancy - what could be behind this? Itching of early pregnancy

The body itches during pregnancy - what to do?

Many pregnant women are familiar with annoying itching of the skin, when the stomach, chest, back, or the whole body may itch. But do not think that these are just the whims of a pot-bellied body.

Itching in a pregnant woman can be a symptom of a disease that is dangerous to the health of the mother and baby, and it is very important to find out the causes of itching in a timely manner, and, of course, from a doctor.

The main causes of itchy skin in pregnant women

In order to understand this phenomenon, you need to consider its nature.

In most cases, this arises from constant transformations in the woman's body.

• The first reason is stretching of the skin. In this case, itching occurs at the end of pregnancy, in the third trimester. Moreover, the likelihood of its appearance increases if a woman is carrying more than one child - after all, in recent months, the skin of the abdomen is stretched to such an extent that it shines like a grated watermelon. From this tension, itching occurs. Read also:

• For the same reason, the chest may itch, because it also grows. Only, unlike the abdomen, changes in the mammary glands occur in the first trimester, and itching appears at the same time as toxicosis.

• Allergies can also cause itchy skin. It is no secret that during pregnancy, the general sensitivity of the body increases, and the skin can begin to itch from eaten berries, oranges, peanuts or chocolate. Allergies to household chemicals and cosmetics are also possible. Therefore, for the expectant mother, you need to choose exclusively hypoallergenic products, and even better - designed specifically for pregnant women or babies. Read also:

• The most dangerous option for the appearance of a pregnant chyos is liver malfunction.. It is known that pruritus is one of the main symptoms of cholecystitis, hepatitis and cholecyst pancreatitis. It is then that the whole body itches in a pregnant woman - legs, arms, back, abdomen, neck, fingers and feet. Itching is worse at night and is contagious. First, one part of the body begins to itch, then the rest, and at the end itching covers the whole body. In attacks of such scabies, you can comb the skin until it bleeds, and infect the wounds.

• Itching can be caused by hormones. This is due to estrogens, which are secreted in sufficient quantities during pregnancy. A special difference is that hormonal itching is not "manic" in nature, as in the previous case, and disappears after childbirth.

• The penultimate reason is skin diseases such as eczema or scabies mites. Moreover, dermatological diseases are characterized by severe itching in the skin folds and between the fingers and toes. If a woman had skin problems before pregnancy, then during this difficult period, there is a high probability that they will only get worse.

• Itching of the genitals can be caused by thrush. This is not a rare disease of pregnant women, therefore, gynecologists are so closely monitoring the microflora of the vagina and take tests for inoculation at almost every visit.

Don't miss a serious illness!

As mentioned above, the most serious ailment in which itching appears is liver failures .

So, if a pregnant woman begins to torment manic itch impulses, which intensify at night and become stronger and stronger, then you need to see a doctor immediately!

• In a hospital, possibly in a hospital, a pregnant woman will Ultrasound abdominal cavity, take all the necessary tests and determine if there is a danger of cholecystitis. In the most tragic case, even an emergency delivery or an unplanned cesarean section is possible due to the danger to the health of the child.

• Remember that itching anyway- this is already a reason to contact your doctor. The doctor should examine you for all the diseases that can cause it and prescribe drugs that block this restless syndrome. After all, excruciating pregnant scabies, at least, makes the expectant mother nervous, which in itself is very undesirable.

What to do if the body itches during pregnancy?

remember, that you can not self-medicate during pregnancy - this can lead to complications. Do not harm yourself and your unborn child - always contact your doctor for an adequate treatment.

• To take a shower. The itching increases with hot water, and decreases with cold water. This means that in the evening you can perform cool water procedures.

• Follow a hypoallergenic diet. Since the pregnant body becomes very susceptible to hazardous foods, it is worth eliminating potential allergens from your diet. Forget oranges, honey and chocolate. Eat the right, healthy food - and don't forget about.

• Use special moisturizing creams for your breasts and abdomen. They will at least slightly relieve the stress of stretching from the skin, causing the itching to subside.

• If the cause is stagnation of bile, then strong adsorbents, for example, activated carbon, can help.. But you should know that you need to take any medicine, even the most harmless, only with the permission of your doctor!

During pregnancy, even the smallest change in well-being is extremely important. After all, at stake - life and health of the unborn child .

Therefore, be attentive to your feelings, and do not hesitate to contact a doctor!

Itching is a mild pain sensation that is transmitted through pain receptors. It is caused by mild stimuli that cannot be recognized by the nervous system. Such sensations are either localized in a certain zone, or spread throughout the body.

Itching during pregnancy can occur due to polymorphic dermatosis of pregnant women, when a rash appears on the thighs and abdomen of a woman. This condition is not dangerous, so it is enough to smear the areas affected by the rashes with special ointments and creams for stretch marks. This itching usually disappears after childbirth. During pregnancy, itching can appear on any part of the skin and on the mucous membranes. It is often attributed to the growth of a woman's abdomen and appears due to stretch marks. In the fight against it, oils must be used.

Itching may also appear in the vagina. It can be caused by the increased production of vaginal secretions, and this provokes the revitalization and development of harmful fungi and microorganisms. The unpleasant itching can be caused by thrush. Genital infections are dangerous to the fetus.

Causes of itching during pregnancy

• Stress, nervous strain. Itching for these reasons usually occurs at night.
• Stretching of the skin due to a growing belly.
• Multiple pregnancy.
• Substantial weight gain.
• Due to dry skin caused by dehydration.
• Changes in the hormonal background - the skin loses its firmness and elasticity, as the production of elastin and collagen in the body decreases.
• Diseases of the skin.
• Pathology of internal organs.

If a pregnant woman experiences itching and burning in the vagina and in the external genitals, it means that inflammatory processes occur in the body or infectious diseases develop. This should be alarming, as the fetus may suffer from urinary tract infections. An urgent need to be examined and treated.

In addition to infections, sexually transmitted diseases, thrush, the cause of itching is a change in the acid-base balance of the mucous membrane. It happens:

• due to the regular wearing of synthetic underwear, thongs;
• regular use of aromatic panty liners;
• overheating or cooling of the pelvic organs;
• when using antibacterial alkaline personal care products;
• due to colpitis - inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
• with genital herpes, etc.

Other reasons: long-term use of antibiotics, the development of diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency in the body.
Most often, itching is localized on the back, abdomen and soles. It is important to recognize itching caused by hormonal changes in a timely manner and to distinguish it from that caused by scabies.

Often, itching is due to inflammatory or allergic reactions, when histamine, a biologically active substance that irritates nerve endings, appears in the skin of the expectant mother. It causes tissue edema, which is manifested by swelling, redness of the skin, increased blood flow to the inflamed area.
Due to the pathology of the liver and biliary tract, bilirubin and bile acids are deposited in the skin, and this also provokes itching.

This sensation during pregnancy is the body's defense response to a skin irritant. When it occurs, a scratching reflex appears, which causes cracks, scratching, redness, and inflammation on the skin. This can provoke the penetration of a secondary infection into the skin, and with it tissue edema, ulcers and cracks.

Itching symptoms may indicate the initial stage of a skin condition. If, for example, it appears on the elbows, knees, folds of the skin, this can be the first signs of eczema against the background of physiological, hormonal factors that accompany pregnancy.

All this should make a woman anxious and see a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous.

Thrush and candidiasis are common in pregnant women. Itching, burning in the genitals is one of their main manifestations. They should be treated immediately.

To temporarily eliminate unpleasant symptoms at home, you can make warm baths of mint, sage, oak bark, chamomile; observe hygiene, exclude toilet soap, synthetic underwear; adjust nutrition, excluding salty, spicy, etc.

Treatment for itching during pregnancy

Therapy for itching depends on the cause. If it is poorly expressed, then the doctor advises the expectant mother to change her underwear, which should be made only of natural fabric. It is necessary to limit the use of household chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics. You should use hypoallergenic products, often shower without soap, and then moisturize your skin with neutral creams.

The most important thing: the itchy place should not be combed categorically in order to avoid the intensification of unpleasant sensations, the appearance of irritation, redness.
If itching is caused by disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, then treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist after tests and medical examination.

If the cause of itching is the failure of the liver, you should take adsorbents (activated carbon) and hepatoprotectors - drugs that restore liver function: No-shpu, Essentiale Forte, Carsil.

It is necessary to adjust the diet, if prescribed, to take antihistamines (from the middle of pregnancy).

Itching during pregnancy is not so common, but this symptom cannot be called rare either. Usually, the appearance of itching refers to the second half of pregnancy, more often from the 6th month. Sometimes it occurs simultaneously with yellowing of the skin, sometimes on its own. Itching of the skin is especially pronounced in pregnant women at night, possibly because during the day a person is distracted by various affairs and thoughts, at night he more notice ailments like itching of the skin.
Why does itchy skin during pregnancy? Any skin manifestations, unless they are independent dermatological diseases, indicate some kind of malfunction in the liver. In this case, an increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy leads to cholestasis - stagnation of bile in the liver, while bile acids are released in excess, those that, getting on the skin, cause itching. Often during the same period, liver function tests - ALT, bilirubin - change - the numbers of these indicators may increase. In order to alleviate the condition, you need to follow several rules. First, take a warm shower more often, after which lubricate the skin, especially in itchy areas, with neutral body milk or oil. So the excess of bile acids is mechanically removed from the skin, and so that the skin does not dry out after water and detergents, emollients and moisturizers are used. Of the medicines, cholestyramine relieves itching well, various talkers, activated charcoal - removes all excess from the intestines. In addition, it is good to use substances that improve liver function, relieve cholestasis, although complete relief from itching of the skin is likely to occur after childbirth. The liver can be supported with conventional hepatoprotectors, such as Essentiale, Carsila, to improve the outflow of bile, use no-spa. There are also drugs that help the liver, less known, but more effective - this is a derivative of animal bile - ursofalk and ursosan, a plant substance - hepatofalk - plant. Of course, all this should be used only after advice with the attending physician, and just in case, visit an infectious disease specialist, pass all the necessary tests in order to exclude a more serious liver damage, for example, viral hepatitis, which, like any disease, may well manifest itself in during pregnancy.
Itching of the skin, however, less often, can be caused by intolerance to any food product, especially exotic, which the woman did not use before, and during pregnancy she decided to pamper herself - this role is often played by seafood - shrimp, oysters, mussels - they just need exclude from food and no longer experiment with food.
In general, we must try, as always, to understand the causes of itching during pregnancy and to do the maximum possible so that this unpleasant symptom, which interferes with normal sleep and brings a lot of trouble to pregnant women, is minimized.

All complications that arise during pregnancy include one thing, which is not necessarily a sign of some kind of disease, but certainly brings discomfort, and sometimes even drives you crazy - this is itchy skin. This is not to say that if you become pregnant, you will certainly face this problem. But absolutely everyone has a chance, because practice shows that the skin itches in many expectant mothers.

It can be constant or occasionally itching, it can appear on its own or in combination with other symptoms, intensify in the evening or not change its character. But be that as it may, before doing anything, you need to consult with a gynecologist, infectious disease specialist and dermatologist and find the cause of itching.

Why does the skin itch during pregnancy?

To the question: "Doctor, why am I itching during pregnancy?", No doctor will definitely answer you, because the exact answer simply does not exist. But still, the skin itches for some reason, and the reason for this must be sought.

There are several theories regarding the occurrence of itchy skin in pregnant women. The reasons are sought depending on the manifestations. It can be:

• The appearance of stretch marks: due to the rapidly growing breast and abdomen, the skin is overstretched and severe itching occurs at the sites of fiber rupture, preceding the appearance of stretch marks. This itching is localized in the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, chest, and sometimes the upper arms. It occurs in the second half of pregnancy, most often in genetically predisposed and fairly recovered mothers.
• Cholestasis of pregnancy: caused by a malfunction due to. It is mainly accompanied by redness of the palms and feet, which itch strongly at the same time. Over time, itching spreads to the entire body and intensifies in the evening and night hours. Cholestasis of pregnancy most often manifests itself in the third trimester. At the same time, urine may darken noticeably, but, on the contrary, become lighter. The risk group includes women with high blood cholesterol levels and chronic diseases of the biliary tract.
• Hormonal changes: they are often the reason for the development of cholestasis. This itching is also localized on the palms and feet and only goes away after childbirth.
• Skin diseases: often there are dermatosis and eczema of pregnant women, skin fungus and other diseases accompanied by itching and other manifestations on the skin (peeling, rashes, swelling).
• Allergic reactions: usually accompanied by rash, redness and itching, and other accompanying symptoms. A provocateur can be washing powder, new shampoo, seafood, exotic fruits, pollen and anything else. Therefore, it is better not to experiment with anything now. In the event of an allergy, it is first of all necessary to exclude the effect of the allergen on the body.
• Excessive sweating: Sweat that collects in folds of skin can be itchy and unpleasant. If you notice that you are sweating more, take a shower more often and change into clean clothes (always made from natural fabrics). Telling your doctor that your sweating is worse is also helpful.

Among the causes of itching can be serious diseases such as hepatitis. Therefore, it is still necessary to start your research and solve the problem with a visit to the doctor. And even if itchy skin does not affect the child in any way, it definitely brings discomfort to the mother, it can be the cause of a bad mood and even pose a certain threat if it is a sign of some kind of illness. And recent studies do show that itching increases the risks of an unfavorable course of not only pregnancy, but also childbirth.

How to eliminate itchy skin during pregnancy?

The solution to the problem depends on the established cause. For cholecystitis or other medical diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe an examination, treatment, and diet. In addition, you need to properly care for your skin. Try to take more often a warm (or summer), but not hot shower, rub yourself with a towel. Massage with alternating strokes and rubbing is especially useful if you have a tendency to develop stretch marks - it will significantly alleviate your condition.

After showering, always apply a light moisturizer to your body, as dry skin will make it more itchy. Try not to overheat, wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics, and drink plenty of fluids.

Pay special attention to cosmetics - these should be the safest creams and gels without fragrances and other harmful substances. There are also many recipes for traditional medicine for itchy skin.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

Instructions

Do not self-medicate. If the problem has become acute, consult a gynecologist or dermatologist. The correct treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. After all, many drugs are contraindicated during the period of bearing a baby. Expectant mothers can only fight the cause of itching on their own only by assistants and.

If the cause of itching is skin changes - stretch marks, then creams and folk remedies will help. With the growth of the baby, the expectant mother's belly increases ,. Sometimes this is accompanied by stretch marks on the skin and discomfort. Sign up for a massage. If this is not possible, do it yourself. Buy a cream against stretch marks, just be sure to look at the note about the possibility of using this product by pregnant women. Folk remedies, baths with decoctions of herbs help well. Pour a glass of chamomile flowers with a liter of boiling water, leave for 24 hours. Add the liquid to the water and take a warm bath. Chamomile relieves irritation and inflammation. Do not miss the opportunity to take a contrast shower for the day. Follow the rules of personal hygiene. In hot weather, try to wear only natural fabrics so that the skin breathes. If you can't take a shower, and you feel sweaty, buy special hypoallergenic wet wipes.

Sometimes hormones are the cause of itching, they cause stagnation of bile in the liver, and as a result, there is a greater production of bile acids, and this becomes the basis of irritation on the skin. A pregnant woman's palm and feet. A cooling body cream can help fight this itching. It can be purchased at the pharmacy.

When the irritation on the body is of a psychological nature, excitement, anxiety, nervousness, the doctor prescribes light soothing ones. You can do prevention yourself. Drink herbal teas. The root can be purchased at the pharmacy. It can be added to regular black tea, or it can be infused with chamomile. Dried mint and lemon balm are brewed in a one-to-one ratio - in the amount of a teaspoon per glass of boiling water. The infusion should stand for 10-15 minutes. You need to take it 30 minutes before meals. When it comes to the psychological cause of itching, a young mother should take care of eliminating factors such as anxiety, anxiety and nervousness from her everyday life. Walk in the fresh air more often, smile. Do what you love in your free time. Pregnancy is the most wonderful condition, let it not be overshadowed by anything.