{"id":290062,"date":"2026-09-29T13:50:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T13:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=290062"},"modified":"2026-09-29T13:50:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T13:50:11","slug":"itching-during-pregnancy-causes-symptoms-treatment-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/itching-during-pregnancy-causes-symptoms-treatment-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Itching During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and More\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

\n

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
What Is Itching During Pregnancy?<\/a><\/li>
Common Causes of Itching During Pregnancy<\/a><\/li>
Symptoms of Itching During Pregnancy<\/a><\/li>
Factors That Aggravate Itching<\/a><\/li>
Signs of Concern\/Complications<\/a><\/li>
Diagnosis of Itching During Pregnancy<\/a><\/li>
Treatment Options for Itching During Pregnancy<\/a><\/li>
Prevention Tips<\/a><\/li>
When to Consult a Doctor?<\/a><\/li>
Conclusion<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPregnancy 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 pregnancy 1<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u200b.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/span>What Is Itching During Pregnancy?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDuring pregnancy, you may often have the urge to scratch your belly or other parts of the body 2<\/a>,3<\/a><\/sup>. This type of itching during pregnancy is very common. It usually happens when your skin stretches around your growing baby 3<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, body itching during pregnancy\u200b can also be linked to hormonal changes, pre-existing skin conditions, or pregnancy-specific conditions like intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)1<\/a><\/sup>. We will discuss these causes of itching in pregnancy\u200b in detail in the next section.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Common Causes of Itching During Pregnancy<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Common$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Itching during pregnancy can have several causes. Some common causes of itching in pregnancy\u200b include 1<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Skin stretching: <\/strong>As your tummy grows and the skin stretches, it can lead to itching.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Hormonal changes:<\/strong> Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy can affect the skin and contribute to itching.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Pre-existing skin conditions:<\/strong> 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.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Pregnancy-specific skin conditions:<\/strong> 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).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Other health conditions:<\/strong> 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.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Symptoms of Itching During Pregnancy<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYou may notice itching in whole body during pregnancy,\u200b 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 include 1<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>
<\/div>