8 Home Remedies For Itching During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women experience body changes that can make simple everyday tasks seem complicated and frustrating. Comfort is key during this period, and finding ways to achieve that is vital to a comfortable and stress-free pregnancy.

One of the things that causes women grief while pregnant is itching! Itchiness during pregnancy can be quite a pain. As the body changes and increases in size, stretching the skin and packing on more weight, a tightness takes over. Couple that with the constant change in your hormone levels, and your body responds to all that with itchiness all over the skin. Thankfully, specific home remedies for itchy skin during pregnancy can be beneficial in soothing that prickly, irritating feeling and providing much-needed relief.

Causes for Itchy Skin During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a unique physiological state that brings endocrine and immunologic changes that may contribute to pruritus or itching. Although most cases of pruritus can be attributed to itchy, dry skin, there are conditions unique to pregnancy that involve pruritus as a leading symptom. These conditions are associated with severe pruritus, and some might be associated with adverse fetal outcomes. Clinical history and physical examination are the most important diagnostic clues when evaluating pruritus in pregnancy.

The following are a few reasons you may have itchy skin during pregnancy.

• The skin on your abdomen stretches and becomes quite taut, which could lead to itchiness (1).
• An increased blood supply to the skin can cause a mild itching sensation (2).
• You may be afflicted with a condition known as obstetric cholestasis, which leads to a buildup of bile salts in the body. This, in turn, leads to itchiness (primarily in the hands and feet) in different parts of the body (3).
• You may also be suffering from a non-threatening condition known as prurigo, which is characterised by marks on the skin that look like insect bites or scratches (4).

8 Home Remedies for Itchy Skin During Pregnancy

Here are some natural remedies for itching during pregnancy, particularly the third-trimester home remedies, to relieve the sensation.

1. Using a Cold Compress

What You Will Require

• A single ice pack

What You Should Do

• Place the ice pack on the itchy areas for a few minutes.

How Many Times You Should Do This

• You can apply ice packs when you need quick relief.

Why This Remedy Works

Applying an ice pack to the affected areas helps relieve skin inflammation and itchiness, particularly from a PUPPP rash (5). The ice instantly soothes the area, offering you relief.

2. Using Juniper Berry Lotion

What You Will Require

• Some olive oil, sweet almond oil or any other oil
• A little beeswax
• Few juniper berries
• Some ground cloves

What You Should Do

• Heat the oil you would be using on a low flame in one pan.
• In another pan, take the beeswax and allow it to melt over a low flame.
• Pour the melted wax into the oil and mix them properly.
• Add cloves to this mixture and stir well.
• Pour this mixture into a glass jar and allow it to cool.
• You can apply this substance to the affected areas.

How Many Times You Should Do It

• You may apply the substance up to two times a day on the affected area.

Why This Remedy Works

Juniper berries contain strong anti-inflammatory constituents (6). Conversely, cloves have eugenol, an aromatic and oily substance that is also antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antineoplastic (7). When mixed, they form a substance that can be a pretty strong cure for the itch.

3. Using a Paste Made Out of Gram Flour

What You Will Require

• Some gram flour, also known as besan
• Oil
• Water

What You Should Do

• Add some gram flour to a bowl, add oil and water, and mix it properly to form a nice paste.
• You can use milk instead of water for extra moisturising.
• Use this paste on the itching area and let it dry for some time.
• Later, wash it off.

How Many Times You Should Do It

• Apply this paste up to two times a day on the affected area.

Why This Remedy Works

Besan has been observed to keep the skin fresh and extremely soft. Because of these inherent properties, using it as a paste allows the skin to be moisturised and reduces itchiness (8).

4. Using Calamine Lotion

What You Will Require

• A small amount of calamine lotion

What You Should Do

• Apply the lotion and massage it till it covers the entire area.

How Many Times You Should Do It

• Apply this lotion at least two times a day on the affected area.

Why This Remedy Works

Women suffering from a condition known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) get itchy skin and red rashes all over their bodies (9). When it comes to itchiness in the stomach area during pregnancy, calamine lotion is the best bet. It reduces itchiness and stops any irritation or inflammation from reappearing (10).

5. Using Coconut Oil

What You Will Require

• Some extra virgin coconut oil

What You Should Do

• Make sure your skin is clean and dry.
• Take a few drops of the oil and apply it to the affected area.
• Massage it over the area for a few minutes until the skin completely absorbs the oil.
• Keep it as is, and do not wash it.

How Many Times You Should Do It

• Apply the oil on the affected area up to two times a day.

Why This Remedy Works

Coconut oil can permeate the skin and reach dry skin cells, providing them with the necessary fatty acids to help reduce itchiness and irritation. The oil’s antimicrobial properties also deal with skin infections that might be causing irritation or inflammation (11).

6. Using Aloe Vera Gel

What You Will Require

• A leaf of the aloe vera plant

What You Should Do

• Take the aloe vera leaf and cut it sideways.
• Collect and store the gel that is present in it inside an airtight container.
• Apply the gel on the itchy area and massage the area well.
• Keep the remaining gel in a cool place.

How Many Times You Should Do It

• The gel can be applied to the affected area twice a day.

Why This Remedy Works

The aloe vera plant is well known for its health benefits and treatment of various skin conditions. Its anti-inflammatory properties and inherent hydrating constituents give the skin the moisture it requires, making it soft and soothing any itchiness (12).

7. Using Oatmeal During Bath

What You Will Require

• One cup of oatmeal
• Some warm water

What You Should Do

• Take the oatmeal and add it to the bathwater.
• Immerse yourself in this water for about 10 to 12 minutes.
• Later, rinse off with clean water.

How Many Times You Should Do It

• Use oatmeal in your bath up to two to three times a week.

Why This Remedy Works

An oatmeal bath is highly recommended for treating itchy skin (13). Its soothing properties provide relief to the affected areas.

8. Lemon Juice

What You Will Require

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup water
• Cotton Pads

What You Should Do

• Mix the lemon juice with the water thoroughly
• Take the cotton pad, dip it in the solution, and dab it on the affected areas
• Leave it in for 30 minutes, then rinse

How Many Times You Should Do It

• Apply this solution only once a day to avoid skin irritation

Why This Remedy Works

Lemon juice is a source of Vitamin C, which contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also antimicrobial and kills off germs present on the skin. The citric acid in it also helps balance the skin’s pH levels, reducing inflammation (14). 

FAQs

1. When should I be worried about itching during pregnancy?

If you experience itching more towards the evenings or night, have been diagnosed with cholestasis or PUPPP or have sustained itching with lesions, cracked skin, bleeding, bumps, or redness, contact your doctor immediately (1).

2. What infection causes itching all over the body during pregnancy?

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a potentially dangerous liver condition that can cause itching all over the body during pregnancy. If you have been diagnosed with ICP or experience symptoms of ICP, contact your doctor immediately for further treatment advice (15).

Itchiness can become quite an irritating problem throughout the pregnancy journey. However, with some body-itching during pregnancy, home remedies that can be done easily can relieve this problem. However, if your condition is not alleviated over some time with these itching pregnancy home remedies, consult your doctor for proper treatment.

References/Resources:

1. Itching During Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/itching-during-pregnancy

2. How to Treat Itchy Skin Naturally During Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-concerns/treat-itchy-skin-naturally-pregnancy/

3. Cholestasis of Pregnancy; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17901-cholestasis-of-pregnancy

4. Prurigo Nodularis; Yale Medicine; https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/prurigo-nodularis-overview

5. PUPPP Rash; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22374-puppp-rash

6. Raina, R., Verma, P. K., Peshin, R., & Kour, H.; Potential of Juniperus communis L as a nutraceutical in human and veterinary medicine; Heliyon; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6726717/; 2019

7. Livertox; Eugenol (Clove Oil); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551727/; 2012

8. Begum, N., Khan, Q. U., Liu, L. G., Li, W., Liu, D., & Haq, I. U.; Nutritional composition, health benefits and bio-active compounds of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.); Frontiers in nutrition; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10580981/; 2023

9. Zejnullahu, V. A., & Zejnullahu, V. A.; Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy; Dermatology reports; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10080288/; 2022

10. Calamine Lotion; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/23338-calamine-lotion

11. Should You Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin?; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coconut-oil-for-skin; December 2022

12. Surjushe, A., Vasani, R., & Saple, D. G.; Aloe vera: a short review; Indian journal of dermatology; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764//; 2008

13. Pazyar, N., Yaghoobi, R., Kazerouni, A., and Feily, A.; Oatmeal in dermatology: A brief review; Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol; https://ijdvl.com/oatmeal-in-dermatology-a-brief-review/; 2012

14. Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/complications/itching-and-intrahepatic-cholestasis/

Also Read:

Home Remedies for Cold during Pregnancy
How to Treat Constipation while Pregnant
Home Remedies for Morning Sickness in Pregnancy
Natural Ways to Treat Cough during Pregnancy

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