Itching During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and More  

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Introduction

Pregnancy brings many changes to your body. This includes changes to your skin. In fact, more than 90% of pregnant women experience one or more skin changes during pregnancy. Itching (also known as pruritus) is common during this phase. It affects about 23% to 38% of women during pregnancy¹. 

While mild itching is common during pregnancy, you may need to see a doctor for persistent or severe itching. In this blog, we will explore the common causes of itching in pregnancy, the symptoms to watch for, and how to control itching during pregnancy​. 

Common Causes of Itching During Pregnancy

Itching during pregnancy can have several causes. Some common causes of itching in pregnancy​ include¹:

• Skin stretching: As your tummy grows and the skin stretches, it can lead to itching. 
• Hormonal changes: Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can affect the skin and contribute to itching. 
• Pre-existing skin conditions: Conditions such as atopic dermatitis (a condition that causes dry, inflamed, and itchy skin), psoriasis (a condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin), and prurigo nodularis (a condition that causes very itchy bumps on the skin) can cause or worsen body itching during pregnancy. 
• Pregnancy-specific skin conditions: Some conditions occur specifically during pregnancy. This includes ICP, which is a liver condition that causes intense itching (often in palms and soles) without a rash. This condition often worsens at night and needs immediate medical attention. Other conditions include atopic eruption of pregnancy (an itchy skin condition that can cause bumps or rashes), polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (an itchy rash that usually develops on the abdomen), pustular psoriasis of pregnancy (a rare form of psoriasis that causes pus-filled bumps and red patches), and pemphigoid gestationis (a rare autoimmune condition that can cause severe itching and blisters). 
• Other health conditions: Itching may sometimes be linked to conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, thyroid, or blood, as well as diabetes, infections, medication reactions, or other underlying conditions. 

Symptoms of Itching During Pregnancy

You may notice itching in whole body during pregnancy,​ or itching on different parts of your body. The intensity and frequency of wanting to itch may vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include¹:

• Itchy skin (especially around the tummy) 
• Dry or irritated skin that feels itchy 
• Itching that may occur with/without a visible rash 
• Red, scaly, or bumpy skin (in some cases) 

Important: Severe or ongoing itching without a rash should not be considered a normal part of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor, as it may need further evaluation. 

Symptoms of Other Causes

Some other conditions common in pregnancy may also lead to itching in specific areas, such as⁴: 

• Vaginal itching during pregnancy: This​ may be a sign of an infection, such as thrush (a common fungal infection).  
• Itching around the anus (back passage): This may be due to haemorrhoids (swollen blood vessels around the anus).  

Signs of Concern/Complications

Generally, most cases of itching during pregnancy are not harmful. However, some pregnancy-specific conditions that cause itching may affect your health or your baby’s health. These include^1,4:

• ICP: This condition can increase the risk of foetal distress, preterm labour, stillbirth, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  
• Pemphigoid gestationis: This rare condition can increase the risk of preterm labour, having a baby who is small for their gestational age, and stillbirth. Your baby may also develop blisters (these usually go away on their own). 

Note: Any possible complications depend on the underlying cause of the itching. This is why you should always consult a doctor for persistent or severe itching during pregnancy. 

Diagnosis of Itching During Pregnancy

Your doctor will first examine your skin and ask about your symptoms. This may include where the itching occurs, when it started, and what makes it better or worse. They may also check your skin for any rash or any other changes. And if needed, a skin biopsy (a small sample of skin examined under a microscope) may be done to identify the cause of an itchy rash^1,4.

Depending on your symptoms and the suspected cause, blood tests (such as liver function tests, complete blood count, basic metabolic panel, thyroid-stimulating hormone, etc.) may be needed. If ICP is suspected, your doctor may recommend blood tests such as serum bile acid levels¹. It may also be repeated if itching continues to persist.  

Also Read: Your Best Guide on How to Increase Haemoglobin Naturally During Pregnancy  

Prevention Tips

You may not be able to prevent all itching during pregnancy, but some simple measures can help reduce irritation and keep your skin comfortable. A few itching during pregnancy home remedies include: 

• Take cool or lukewarm baths or showers and avoid spending more than 20 minutes in the bath or shower³.
• Use an unscented moisturiser or emollient regularly to keep your skin hydrated³.
• Avoid perfumed soaps, deodorants, and moisturisers, which may irritate your skin^3,7. 
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton⁷. 
• Avoid wool or synthetic fabrics if they make your skin feel itchy⁷. 
• Keep your nails short and try to pat/tap your skin instead of scratching it³.
• Avoid excessive heat and sweating, which can make itching worse¹. 

When to Consult a Doctor?

Itching during pregnancy is often mild and harmless, but you should speak to your doctor if: 

• The itching is severe, persistent, or getting worse, especially if it affects your sleep³.
• You have intense itching without a rash, particularly on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet³. 
• The itching starts on your abdomen and spreads to other parts of your body¹. 
• You develop a new or severe rash, bumps, or blisters along with itching^1,4.
• You notice yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)⁷. 
• If you notice reduced or changed foetal movements⁸. 

Also Read: High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Conclusion

Itching is a common part of pregnancy and is often caused by normal changes in your body, such as skin stretching and hormonal changes. You can easily manage mild cases with simple measures such as keeping your skin moisturised, avoiding heat and skin irritants, and wearing loose, comfortable clothing.  

However, severe or persistent itching, particularly without a rash or on the palms and soles, should not be ignored. If you are concerned about your symptoms, speak to your doctor for appropriate evaluation and treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Carlson K, Khan MA. Pruritus in Pregnancy. StatPearls Publishing; 2026. Accessed September 14, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560820/ 

2. Itching. Medline. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003217.htm

3. Itching in pregnancy. NHA. December 8, 2020. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/complications/itching-and-intrahepatic-cholestasis/ 

4. Itching during pregnancy. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy/health-conditions-and-complications/itching-during-pregnancy 

5. Tarikci N, Kocatürk E, Güngör Ş, Oğuz Topal I, Ülkümen Can P, Singer R. Pruritus in Systemic Diseases: A Review of Etiological Factors and New Treatment Modalities. Sci World J. 2015;2015:803752. doi:10.1155/2015/803752 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2015/803752

6. Nowak D, Yeung J. Diagnosis and treatment of pruritus. Can Fam Physician. 2017;63(12):918-924. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5729138/ 

7. Itching and Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Tommy’s. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-symptom-checker/itching-pregnancy 

8. Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP). Tommy’s. Accessed September 23, 2026. https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/obstetric-cholestasis 

9. Crites K, Shanks AL, Maines J. Pregnancy Intrahepatic Cholestasis. StatPearls Publishing; 2026. Accessed September 23, 2026. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551503/ 

10. Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Arumugam I, et al. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(1):5-14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30671361/

11. Gupta SN, Madke B, Ganjre S, Jawade S, Kondalkar A. Cutaneous Changes During Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 16(9):e69986. doi:10.7759/cureus.69986 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39445254/

12. Vaginal discharge. NHS. December 3, 2020. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/common-symptoms/vaginal-discharge/ 

13. Dry skin: Signs and symptoms. AAD. Accessed September 14, 2026. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/dry-skin-symptoms 

14. Seol JE, Cho GJ, Jang SH, et al. Effect of Amount of Daily Water Intake and Use of Moisturizer on Skin Barrier Function in Healthy Female Participants. Ann Dermatol. 2024;36(3):145-150. doi:10.5021/ad.23.067 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38816975/

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