It is common for pregnant women to feel itchy skin on the belly and perhaps the breasts as well. This is due to the fact that as the pregnancy progresses, both the skin of the belly as well as that of the breasts is stretched producing an itching in the tissues, in some cases very intense.
If we take into account that the skin can stretch up to 10 times its size during pregnancy, that is to say that one centimeter of skin can stretch up to 10 cm, it is normal to feel itching caused by the stretching of the skin. It is called gestational pruritus .
Not all women are affected equally. Some feel a little discomfort while for others the itchiness is exasperating.
Apart from the dryness, the itching may be due, once again, to the fault of hormones. Estrogens cause an alteration in the liver associated with the retention of bile salts. This does not pose any risk to the baby, but it can cause irritation or eczema.
However, if the itching is very intense, consult your doctor to rule out intrahepatic cholestasis, a rare disorder caused by poor bile circulation that could be harmful to the fetus.
One of the keys to maintaining the health of the skin is to keep it well hydrated from the first months so that it is elastic and thus reduce both itching and the appearance of stretch marks.
How to relieve itching in the belly
If you feel itching in your belly, take note of some tips on how to relieve it .
- Keep the skin always hydrated.
- Use creams with chamomile, calendula, or oatmeal.
- Wear loose, breathable cotton clothing.
- Avoid scratching yourself.
- Avoid places with high humidity or heat.
- Avoid showers or baths with too hot water as they dry out the skin more.
- Use a mild bath soap.
- Hydrate the body through food and drink enough water.
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