Alleviating Itchy Skin While Pregnant

If you're pregnant, you may find your skin has become more susceptible to dryness and itch. It isn't a given that every pregnant women will experience itchy skin, but it is a very common occurrence. Itchy and dry skin is generally caused by hormonal changes in the body as well as the stretching of skin. The discomfort usually goes away once the baby is born, but until then follow these tips to soothe your itchiness.

- Don't take really hot showers or baths. It is advised to not take hot baths during pregnancy anyway, so you should already be steering clear of the one. But bathing in lukewarm or cool water is easier on the skin, too. Hot water is more likely to dry out the skin and make it itchy.

- Stop use of your old soap products if they have a lot of fragrances. Before you were pregnant, they may not have affected you, but in this time they could be what is causing dry and itchy skin. Even if they are not at the root of the cause, they can easily make worse the dry and itchy skin you are experiencing from something else. The best thing to do is trade those bath products for a milder, unscented soap. Make sure you're also rinsing it off well, as any residue left on the skin will creates a good chance for a breakout.

- Use an unscented moisturizer after your bath or shower. Make sure it is unscented, as fragrant ones can also cause itchy skin. Some moisturizing products even contain aloe or calamine, which is a plus for soothing irritated skin. If you apply the moisturizer while your skin is still damp, it will help retain the moisture better and keep dry skin away.

- If you're experiencing constant, hard to bear itching that doesn't seem to go away, you may want to try soaking in an oatmeal bath or other product that's made for itchy skin. These are available in just about any drug or retail store. When I had itchy skin, I found that bathing in an oatmeal bath a few times a week really helped to lessen the discomfort.

- If it's hot where you are, don't go out into it. This can cause an even greater irritation to the skin. Even if you stay inside, if you're hot and sweating a lot, this doesn't help the itch. Try your best to keep your house cool or take a cool shower to cleanse and refresh your skin.

- Cotton clothing is probably the best thing you can wear while you have itchy skin. Other fabrics can worsen the irritation. Don't wear tight clothing, either, especially if it's hot.

- Keep an anti-itch lotion on hand. I've always preferred Aveeno's Skin Relief Moisturizing lotion, as it moisturizes dry skin and soothes the itch at the same time. But a simple calamine lotion is also nice, especially when kept cool so the lotion feels nice and soothing when it's applied.

If no matter what you can't seem to get rid of the itch, or you have a rash that won't go away, you should speak to your doctor about the problem. There may be a larger issue at hand, or other options your doctor can offer you.