Dealing With Itchy Skin During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can bring about many unusual symptoms and your skin is not immune to the hormonal changes you’re experiencing. Your clothes make it worse by constantly rubbing against those itchy patches and you can barely concentrate on anything because you’re trying to resist the urge to scratch. Fortunately, and most of the time, itching is normal and harmless and will subside after you give birth. But here are some tips that could help you get relief.

Moisturize

Keeping your skin moisturized is important, whether you’re pregnant or not. It actually helps maintain your skin’s elasticity and keeps it healthy throughout all the hormonal changes. It keeps your skin’s moisture balance and helps you stay comfortable throughout the day. As soon as you know you’re pregnant, start applying moisturizer to prepare your skin for the changes to come. Remember, it is easier to prevent an itchy skin that it is to treat it once it’s already there.

Wash with warm water

While hot water is good at keeping your skin free from dirt, it can severely dry your skin, and it can also be bad for your baby. Hot showers or baths can raise your core temperature, which can then increase your heart rate and reduce the blood flow to your baby. Anything up to your body temperature (98.6F) is safe for your skin and your baby. You can also try adding nourishing oils to your warm bath to keep your skin soft.

Prevent itchy skin and stretch marks

In addition to using lotion or moisturizers, applying a stretch mark prevention cream or oil to your belly and bust as soon as you know you’re pregnant will greatly benefit your skin. It also provides extra protection to areas of your body that are prone to developing stretch marks and dry skin.

Skip the loofahs and exfoliating accessories

These tools are effective in getting rid of dead skin cells on the surface, but they can also leave your skin dry and itchy afterwards. Use a moisturizing shower gel to keep your skin hydrated and soft while you bathe. If you have known allergies to scents and specific formulas, choose a hypoallergenic shower gel so you don’t scour your skin with harsh cleansers.

Gently pat your skin dry

Never rub your skin dry after taking a shower or a bath. When you’re pregnant, it’s all about being gentle, because each passing day, your skin becomes more delicate and vigorous rubbing can cause micro-tears that result in dry and itchy skin. Patting is just as effective as drying off, and you actually leave extra moisture on your skin when you do this. It would also be better if you wear 100% organic cotton clothing. Cottonique’s hypoallergenic clothing are latex-free and chemical-free so you’re sure that your skin is protected and well-taken care of.