Why does the body itch during early and late pregnancy. Why does the body often itch during pregnancy? Pregnancy itches all over the body at night

Why does the skin itch during pregnancy

There are a number of theories regarding the occurrence of pruritus in women during the period of bearing a child. These include:

occurrence: since the chest and abdomen during this period begin to increase, grow, the skin in these areas is stretched, micro-ruptures of the fibers occur.
The appearance of stretch marks, as a rule, is preceded by skin itching, which is localized in the places of their formation. These places include the abdomen, thighs.
Buttocks, chest, and sometimes the upper arms. This kind of skin itching occurs, as a rule, at the end of the second - the beginning of the third trimester, in women who are genetically predisposed to weight gain;
cholestasis: caused during pregnancy by liver dysfunction, which occurs due to natural changes with the onset of pregnancy.
Usually itching occurs in the area of the palms and feet, with reddening of these places. After a while, itching can spread to the whole body, intensifying in the evening and subsiding in the morning. Cholestasis usually manifests itself in this way by the beginning of the third trimester.
At the same time, the urine of a woman visually noticeably darkens, and the feces, on the contrary, become light. The risk level of cholestasis is increased in those women who have high blood cholesterol levels or chronic diseases of the biliary tract;
a common cause of itching during pregnancy is the restructuring of the hormonal system. The itching that occurs for this reason is localized on the feet and palms, and disappears only after delivery;
sometimes the cause of itching, of course, are skin diseases. These include: dermatitis, dermatosis, eczema, skin fungus, and other diseases. In addition to itching, skin peeling, rashes and swelling usually appear;
Another cause of itching during pregnancy can be an allergy. Such itching will be accompanied by redness, and other associated symptoms inherent in allergies.
In this case, laundry detergents, shampoos, exotic fruits, seafood, plant pollen, and more can serve as provocateurs.
During pregnancy, it is not recommended to change the washing powder, shampoo, hand and face cream, diet. And in cases of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to eliminate and exclude the interaction of the allergen with the skin of a pregnant woman;
itching can occur due to excessive sweating in a pregnant woman. To avoid itching, it is tedious to take a shower more often, change into clean linen and clothes, and linen and preferably all clothes should be made from natural fabrics that “breathe”. You can visit a doctor and listen to his recommendations on this issue;
itching in the genital area is usually caused by thrush. It just needs a doctor's consultation, diagnosis and treatment.

Causing a skin child includes both hepatitis and hepatitis. To find the cause, it is important to consult a doctor in time and undergo a thorough examination of your body. After establishing the cause, the doctor will prescribe an adequate treatment that will help relieve itching and get rid of the problem and discomfort.

Does itching affect the baby?

Skin itching on the body of a pregnant woman in no way affects the development of the fetus. But, severe itching that appears in the third trimester may be a sign of cholestasis, as described above, a serious liver disease.

Its symptoms will be: onset of itching on the palms and feet, worse at night, pale stools, no rash of any kind. To soothe itching, the doctor may prescribe a special drug in the form of a cream or ointment.

But expert advice is needed. Cholestasis during pregnancy can cause. Therefore, the doctor must constantly monitor such a future mother with a child in order to avoid adverse consequences and complications.

Itching during pregnancy is a common complaint of women expecting the birth of a baby. In this case, sensitive areas of the skin can be located in a variety of places. Naturally, most often in pregnant women, itching is localized in the abdomen, less often they note that the whole body itches. Should I be worried about such a problem? What is itching during pregnancy, and how to deal with it? You will find answers to these questions in this article.

Why does the body itch during pregnancy?

Specialists identify a number of the following reasons that are not included in the risk group for the development of conditions dangerous for pregnant women:

Increased load on the liver, resulting in the development of cholestasis (stagnation of bile), which disappears immediately after a successful birth.
Hormonal changes in the body of a woman who is preparing to become a mother, associated with an increase in estrogen synthesis. Utilization of the excess of these hormones occurs in the liver, which creates an additional load on the organ and leads to its dysfunction with the accumulation of bile. The toxic substances accumulated in the hepatic ducts are carried throughout the body with the blood flow, irritate the nervous sensations and potentiate the occurrence of itching sensations (hands itch during pregnancy, legs and other parts of the body).
Drying and irritation of the skin, as a result of an increase in the body weight of a woman and a change in the volume of fluid circulating through the vessels.
The formation of stretch marks, which are known to pregnant women as stretch marks of the skin of the abdomen, due to a deficiency in the body of collagen and elastin against the background of a rapid increase in the volume of the abdomen. The lower extremity girdle may also suffer. Often during pregnancy, legs itch as a result of skin stretching.
Wearing underwear made from low quality synthetic fabrics that are very tight fitting.
Increased sweating, when excess moisture creates favorable conditions for the growth and reproduction of microorganisms on the surface of the skin that can provoke the appearance of itchy sensations.

During pregnancy, itchy skin is a fairly common occurrence that does not harm the health of the expectant mother and her baby. But in some cases, a similar symptom can signal a malfunction in the body of a pregnant woman. Therefore, you should not ignore any discomfort or discomfort, but immediately seek advice from an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Itching of pregnant women can be a sign of serious disorders in the body of a future mother, which, without adequate medical correction and immediate response from doctors, often cause premature termination of pregnancy or pose a real threat to the health of a woman and her baby.

There are the following diseases that can provoke itching of the skin during pregnancy:

diabetes mellitus diagnosed in a woman before pregnancy, as well as persistent hyperglycemia in the later stages (gestational diabetes);
allergic reactions that are frequent companions of pregnant women and occur under the influence of various factors on their body, including food, hygiene products, synthetic vitamins, and the like (itchy rash most often appears on thin and delicate skin, in natural folds);
skin itching during pregnancy can be an early symptom of severe liver dysfunction;
thrush or candidiasis provokes the appearance of itchy sensations in the genital area, which are accompanied by copious secretions with a sour smell;
hormonal changes in pregnant women with an increase in the activity of production of thyroid hormones, adrenal glands;
nervous disorders;
skin diseases, in particular, lichen, eczema, dermatitis, scabies and fungal infection of epidermal tissues;
chronic intoxication of the body.

Why does the body itch during pregnancy? Doctors hear this question every day. Itching sensations can haunt a woman throughout the entire period of bearing a child, and may manifest themselves exclusively in the first or second half of pregnancy.

During early pregnancy, itching of the body is felt by about half of expectant mothers. This unpleasant symptom appears already in the first month and is associated with hormonal changes in the body of women. Sometimes some of them perceive such discomfort as a sign of pregnancy, which has come. Such a judgment is far from reality, since these two concepts are not normally combined.

The main reason why the body itches in the first weeks of pregnancy is the activation of pathogenic microflora, the exacerbation of chronic thrush and the development of bacterial vaginosis. All this happens against the background of a sharp decrease in immunity, therefore it has pronounced clinical symptoms. Also, at the beginning of pregnancy, a woman begins to develop cholestasis and, as a result, severe itching throughout her body.

Itching in late pregnancy

Particularly acute women feel itching and burning during pregnancy for a period of 32-36 weeks. The reason for such changes may be a rapid increase in the size of the abdomen, stretching of the skin and the formation of stretch marks.

It is extremely rare at 6-9 months of pregnancy that itchy sensations in women are a sign of hepatitis or hepatosis. It is not worth suspecting cholestasis in expectant mothers in the later stages, since it almost never occurs during this period.

What to do if itching occurs during pregnancy?

If a woman's body itches during pregnancy, it is better not to postpone a visit to the doctor, but to consult a dermatologist and gynecologist as soon as possible. Treatment of the condition must be necessarily based and aimed at eliminating the main cause of the development of the pathological process that has become the reason for the occurrence of itching.

Simple recommendations will help to alleviate the general condition of a pregnant patient, which include:

the need to eat right and exclude from the diet foods that can provoke the development of allergies;
the importance of observing the drinking regimen (if the skin itches all over the body, doctors recommend that the expectant mother drink at least 2-2.5 liters of fluid per day);
prevention of drying of the skin by using special moisturizing cosmetics;
control over personal hygiene of the body, wearing loose underwear made from natural fabrics, frequent taking a warm shower;
avoidance of stressful situations;
relaxing massage.

Drug treatment of itching during pregnancy is indicated for female representatives in whom discomfort is associated with the presence of diseases of the internal organs.

With the development of hepatosis, you should drink a course of hepatoprotectors of plant origin, sorbents and immuno-strengthening agents.
Skin diseases should be treated by a dermatologist. Therapy of such conditions is aimed at eliminating the main etiological factor in the occurrence of itching.
In case of allergies, it is advisable to use antihistamines.
In diabetes, it is very important to maintain the maximum acceptable blood sugar level for a woman's body by increasing insulin doses and tightening the diet.
In the case of the neurogenic nature of itching, patients are prescribed sedatives, sedative decoctions and teas.

If itching of the body appears at any time, you should not panic and self-medicate, it is better to seek help from a specialist. A professional approach and proper treatment will minimize discomfort during pregnancy, facilitate its course and prevent the occurrence of possible diseases, both for the expectant mother and the baby.

Why is itching during pregnancy dangerous?

The itching of the body itself during pregnancy is not a dangerous condition for a woman's health. It is not he who can harm, but the reasons that provoked unpleasant sensations. For example, discomfort significantly worsens the emotional background, and also disrupts the full-fledged sleep of the expectant mother, as a result of which she becomes irritable, feels unwell, and experiences depression.

In addition, severe itching, provoked by internal ailments, is a danger to the health of the baby. It often causes distress (lack of oxygen to the child) of the fetus, as well as other more serious complications.

Prevention

As you know, skin itching during the period of bearing a child is always easier to prevent than to cure. To achieve this, the advice of doctors will help, including:

compliance with the correct diet of a pregnant woman and the rejection of products that can cause allergies;
regular body hygiene with water procedures and the use of hypoallergenic products;
the use of vitamin complexes that improve the condition of the skin, folic acid, magne B6;
a conscious choice of creams for skin stretch marks that contain a minimum amount of flavorings;
regular spending time in the fresh air, long walks before going to bed;
adequate drinking regime;
taking herbal baths using chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort;
avoidance of direct sunlight;
prevention of scratching with their subsequent infection and the use of a special ointment for itching;
changing synthetic underwear to more natural and high-quality ones.

It is important to remember that itching during pregnancy is one of the causes of a violation of the general condition and psycho-emotional background of a woman. It disturbs sleep, makes the expectant mother irritable. Therefore, you should not endure such discomfort, but immediately seek help from a doctor and solve the problem until its consequences arise.

Hormonal adjustment

Itching of the body can be a symptom of pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, that is, a sign of a malfunction of the internal organs. The reason for this is the changed hormonal background during pregnancy, which is understandable and expected.

Note! One of the causes of itching is associated with disorders in the liver. "Liver itching" (cholestasis of pregnancy) is accompanied by a burning sensation, more often manifests itself at night, leads to skin lesions even on the feet and hands.

This type of skin irritation is typical for women who have either previously suffered or are predisposed to diseases such as hepatitis A, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis. This risk group includes pregnant women with multiple births and women over 35 years of age.

The hormonal reasons for what is happening are as follows: female hormones - estrogens, produced in excess, which is the absolute norm during pregnancy, begin to suppress the activity of liver enzymes. This leads to a violation of the connection of blood bilirubin with glucuronic acid. As a result, stagnation of bile occurs, the content of bile acids in the blood rises. Acids, in turn, enter the fatty subcutaneous tissue and, irritating the nerve endings, cause severe itching of the skin.

It is quite difficult to deal with this type of pruritus, since it is a symptom, that is, a consequence and evidence of a malfunction of another internal organ - the liver. It is the liver that needs to be helped to cope fully with its task. You need to start with liver tests, a biochemical blood test, an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. And then act on the advice of a doctor.

Unpleasant sensations caused by itching, it is desirable to endure, reducing their strength with the use of activated charcoal or treatment with cholestyramine (only as prescribed by a doctor), as well as local treatment of the affected skin with light antipruritic ointments with a menthol component. It is useful to use an easy-to-make folk remedy for oral administration half a cup after meals 2 times a day: a mixture of herbs, 5 grams each (calendula, chamomile, plantain, lemon balm, yarrow, motherwort), pour 1 liter of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, leave for 1 hour.

Note! It is worth reviewing your diet in favor of foods that will not create an unreasonable burden on the liver.

It is necessary to forget about fried, salted, smoked, fall in love with dried apricots, prunes, which have a beneficial effect on peristalsis. And remember that discomfort will certainly stop immediately after childbirth.

There are other characteristic causes that cause itching in different parts of the body.

Physiological itching

Due to the increase in the fetus in the womb of the mother, the belly of a pregnant woman increases, which means that the skin on the abdomen is stretched. Her stretch, which in medicine is called "polymorphic dermatosis of pregnancy" (PDP), is accompanied by itching. This can be observed at the beginning of the second trimester.

After childbirth, the problem of physiological itching disappears completely, so there is no place for unrest, if we exclude the fact that stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, legs, thighs and chest can remain forever.

To minimize the appearance of stretch marks, it is recommended to use special products for stretch marks from the beginning of the second trimester. These can be ready-made creams for pregnant women or creams made on their own. It is quite simple to make: mix 10 g of honey, 10 g of Kalanchoe flower juice, 30 g of eucalyptus oil and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Store the mixture in a dark glass container in the refrigerator, and apply to lubricate itchy skin areas and places with signs of stretch marks.

Polymorphic dermatosis (skin stretch marks) is, for obvious reasons, typical for women who gain significant weight, as well as for pregnant women carrying twins or triplets.

fungal disease

Every woman knows what a thrush is. In the body of any person, the normal microflora of the oral cavity, intestines, and vagina contains microorganisms - yeast-like fungi Candida. With a decrease in immunity, both general and local (for example, in the vagina), these fungi are produced in larger quantities than required, which is called thrush (genital tract infection). It causes severe itching in the perineum and in the genital area. How to deal with thrush? It is not difficult to restore the balance of the composition of the microflora; for this, drugs are used. But the problem is that during pregnancy it is strictly forbidden (!) to take antifungal drugs. A pregnant woman is recommended to use a weak solution of soda for regular washing.

The causes of itching of the skin of the body of a pregnant woman include an allergic reaction to products or household items that must be disposed of immediately. It is worth avoiding stuffy rooms and hot places under the sun, use purified water, take baths with the addition of decoctions of oatmeal or string, which has a beneficial effect on the skin due to its juice, reminiscent of iodine solution.

More accurately, only a doctor can investigate and establish the reason why the body itches during pregnancy. Only a specialist is able to exclude a large group of skin diseases, which include various dermatoses of pregnant women - papular dermatitis of pregnant women, prurigo, impetigo herpetiformis. Only after agreement with the attending physician, one or another medicine can be used.

Skin itching is not the most common occurrence during pregnancy. However, with its manifestation, reminiscent of the effects of mosquito bites, discomfort is provided. Itching often worsens in the evening, before going to bed. But sleep with such symptoms is disturbed up to the appearance of regular insomnia, the general tone decreases, the woman's mood worsens. This sad picture should not lead to despair, firstly, because skin irritation is not forever, secondly, it cannot harm the baby in the womb, and thirdly, there is nothing that cannot be changed. A gynecologist and a dermatologist are your first assistants on the road to recovery.

Pregnant women are especially sensitive to their health, because now the well-being of the dearest person in the whole wide world, their child, depends on their condition. Therefore, each new sensation causes, if not panic, then alertness. Itching is very common during pregnancy. This unpleasant symptom raises many questions in a woman: can this feeling be considered the norm, where did it come from, is it a sign of any disease, how to deal with it? Today we will answer each of them.

Why does the body itch, what is the reason, if this is the norm

In pregnant women, very often at a certain stage the body begins to itch. This usually occurs in the later stages, but similar symptoms can occur in the first trimester.

During pregnancy, you may experience itching. Usually such parts of the body as the back, chest, legs, arms, abdomen, sides, lower back, buttocks, thighs, armpits, face, head, shins, palms and feet itch. However, it may seem that this sensation is present everywhere, and takes you from the inside, affecting organs such as the uterus and stomach.

The occurrence of itching is usually accompanied by some manifestations on the skin, in the form of rashes, acne, redness and dryness of the skin. Such symptoms can indicate both the troubles associated with pregnancy and more serious diseases.

The reason why the skin itches in pregnant women:

Skin itching in pregnancy may be associated with breast and abdominal enlargement. It can appear in different places, but most often occurs in the lower abdomen. In this case, the body itches because the deep layers of the skin burst and stretch marks form. The body itches the most at night.
During pregnancy, sweating increases. Because of this, irritation and redness of the skin occurs, which causes itching.
Dermatosis of pregnant women refers to a variety of toxicosis and occurs only in pregnant women. At the same time, the body turns red, pricks with needles, the woman experiences apathy, insomnia and irritation.
Jaundice of pregnancy is another rare type of toxicosis that occurs in early pregnancy. The body in such cases itches a lot, especially the hands and feet, and turns yellow.
Also, itching can be associated with an increase in estrogen in the body. It is unlikely to get rid of this symptom before childbirth, but after the birth of the child, it will certainly disappear.
Banal lack of vitamins and dry skin can also cause itching.

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

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

Itching may also appear in the vagina. It can be caused by increased production of vaginal secretions, and this provokes the revival and development of harmful fungi and microorganisms. 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.
Significant weight gain.
Due to dry skin caused by dehydration.
Changes in the hormonal background - the skin loses firmness and elasticity, as the production of elastin and collagen in the body decreases.
Skin diseases.
Pathology of internal organs.

If a pregnant woman experiences itching and burning in the vagina and in the external genitalia, it means that inflammatory processes occur in the body or infectious diseases develop. This should be cause for concern, as the fetus may suffer due to infections of the genitourinary system. It is urgent 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 mucosa. 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: prolonged use of antibiotics, the development of diabetes, iron deficiency in the body.
Most often, itching is localized on the back, abdomen and soles. It is important to timely recognize the itching caused by hormonal changes and distinguish it from the one that causes scabies.

Itching is often explained by inflammatory or allergic reactions, when histamine appears in the skin of the expectant mother - a biologically active substance that irritates the nerve endings. It causes tissue swelling, 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 a protective reaction of the body to a skin irritant. When it occurs, a scratching reflex appears, due to which cracks, scratches, redness, and inflammation appear on the skin. This can provoke penetration into the skin of a secondary infection, and with it tissue swelling, ulcers and cracks.

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

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

Thrush and candidiasis are common in pregnant women. Itching, burning in the genitals - 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 of itching during pregnancy

Therapy for itching depends on the causes of its occurrence. If it is mild, then the doctor advises the expectant mother to change her underwear, which should be made only from 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 the skin with neutral creams.

Most importantly: the itchy place should not be combed, in order to avoid increased discomfort, 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 a medical examination.

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

Nutrition should be adjusted, if prescribed, - take antihistamines (from the middle of pregnancy).