Itchy Skin during Pregnancy
It is common to have itchy skin during pregnancy and this could arise on account of a number of factors. One of the most common causes for itchy skin during pregnancy is the stretching of the skin to accommodate the growing size of your belly and breasts. The skin around these areas tends to feel taut and stretched and therefore feels itchy. Changes in the level of hormones in the body can also lead to itchiness. Sometimes, during pregnancy, the skin on the palms and soles of the feet tend to become red and itchy. This is on account of an increased level of estrogen in the body when you are pregnant. This kind of itchiness is not harmful and tends to disappear after the baby is born. If you were prone to certain skin allergies before pregnancy, they may worsen during pregnancy. For instance, skin conditions like eczema, dry skin and food allergies tend to become more aggravated during pregnancy. Pregnant women also tend to develop a condition called pruritic urticarial papules, and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). This condition generally manifests in the third trimester and tends to occur in women who are experiencing their first pregnancy or in those who are carrying twins. PUPPP occurs around the abdomen or around stretch marks in the form of eruptions that are very itchy. The eruptions could spread to your thighs and buttocks and can be very uncomfortable.
Rashes during Pregnancy
Contact your doctor immediately when you develop any kind of rash during pregnancy. This is to ensure that the condition is not threatening for you or your baby. PUPPP can be treated with the help of topical ointments or with a course of antihistamines. A rare condition that may manifest during your pregnancy is prurigo of pregnancy. This condition also leads to severe itchiness and has the appearance of bug bites. Many tiny bumps erupt anywhere on the body but specially occur on the arms, feet and legs. Both PUPPP and prurigo of pregnancy disappear after your baby is born and are generally harmless to him/her.
Another condition that occurs during pregnancy and causes itchiness is pemphigoid gestationis. This is an itchy eruption that looks like hives when it starts out but later turns into a large lesion. This condition generally begins around the abdomen and then later spreads to the arms and legs. This condition is relatively serious and may be harmful for your child.