Itching during pregnancy, normal or dangerous condition?

Itching is a common condition in pregnant women. Parts of the body that often itch during pregnancy are the stomach. This is because stretching the skin of the stomach during pregnancy.

Although classified as normal, certain conditions can indicate a dangerous disease. For more details, see the full explanation below.

Is it itching during normal pregnancy?

Many cases of pregnant women have itchy skin, especially in the abdominal area. This is quite normal because itching during pregnancy occurs due to stretching of the skin to accommodate the size of the growing stomach.

The same thing can happen inside. In addition, the condition of dry skin and hormonal changes can also be a factor causing itching problems during pregnancy. Some itching of the skin, such as eczema and psoriasis, can worsen during pregnancy.

This condition is characterized by red rashes, thickened or peeling, dry and flaking skin. Not infrequently these symptoms are accompanied by pain.

If you experience this problem, seek medical help immediately to prevent a more serious threat. Pregnant women with rashes on the palms or itchy feet should also consult a doctor. Before that happens, it's best to prevent it.

How to prevent itching during pregnancy

Itching in pregnancy can be prevented in various ways, including:

Don't bathe with water too hot. Hot water can dry the skin. Instead, take a warm bath and use mild, odorless soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry gently.
Avoid going out during the day.
Wear loose and comfortable clothes to avoid irritation.

If the skin has been itchy during pregnancy, take the following steps to reduce itching during pregnancy.

Tips for reducing itching during pregnancy
When you feel itchy during pregnancy, it's important not to scratch it too often or too hard. This can cause scratches which will increase the risk of infection.

To reduce itching during pregnancy, you need to take certain steps:

Prepare a kind of ice pack and apply to the itchy area for 5 to 10 minutes or until the itching disappears.
Moisturize the skin. After compression or bathing, apply skin with lotion or odorless cream. We recommend that you store lotion in the refrigerator so that it is cold when used.
Hot oatmeal baths that you can buy at a pharmacy.

Itchy skin during pregnancy needs to be monitored
Be aware of certain symptoms of itchy skin during pregnancy to prevent swelling. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

The appearance of a new rash during pregnancy may be a symptom of herpes during pregnancy (herpes pregnancy).
Skin condition is getting worse.
Feeling very annoying, but there is no rash, this can be a symptom of cholestatic pregnancy.

The doctor will conduct a physical examination to diagnose the problem, recommend appropriate treatment and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Early diagnosis is very important to maintain the health of the mother and baby.