ItIchy Skin During Pregnancy and How to Deal With It

One of the most common skin complaints during pregnancy is itchy skin or light rashes. Anything more serious, of course, should be taken to a doctor, but nearly all women will experience itchy or rash-prone skin during their pregnancy.

The good news is that alleviating these symptoms are easy and can be done naturally, at home. Some can be avoided altogether as well.

Itchiness most often occurs around the expanding belly as the skin stretches and becomes exposed to things it's not normally been exposed to. The stretching somewhat thins the skin, making it more vulnerable, and it also exposes more surface area to the elements than your body may be able to care for.

Dry skin is the most-cited culprit of itchiness and is almost always the reason it itches, but it is a symptom of something happening deeper within the body. Namely, the hormonal changes occurring in the woman as her baby grows. Hormonal causes often also make palms and the soles of feet become itchy.

Most of the time, almost all of this can be avoided if you have a good intake of Vitamins E and B-complex. These are the nutrients most-linked to skin care and are vital to skin health. Whether you have itchy skin or avoid it, the conditions for its appearance only get worse (for you) as your pregnancy progresses.

In all cases, you should talk to your doctor about your skin problems no matter how plain they may seem to you. Some skin problems are symptoms of a pregnancy-related liver disease that, if left unchecked, can cause lifelong illness. Most of the time, of course, this is not the case and simple skin treatments are all that's needed.

Aloe and other lotions and gels are the first line of your arsenal against skin problems. Olive oil, gentler soaps, soothing baths that include oils, oatmeal or other ingredients in the water (plain water often dries skin out, remarkably enough), and other home remedies you've likely already heard are a great start to good skin care during pregnancy.

Humidifying the air around you at home also does wonders for good skin and it will get you in the habit of keeping the air humid after baby comes, who will definitely need it—especially if you're in a dry climate.

Most of the simple and basic skin care remedies you've used for probably your entire life will work during pregnancy as well. Be sure to avoid toxins such as those in most fragrances, chemical-laden creams and oils, and so forth. Natural, simpler remedies are almost always best.