Itchy skin of the abdomen is quite common in pregnant women. It can be caused by various reasons, both completely harmless physiological, and quite dangerous. These include changes in hormonal levels, allergies or such serious diseases as hepatitis and cholecystitis, etc. If itching is caused by harmless reasons, it is relatively easy to get rid of it. But if itching is a symptom of a dangerous disease, then only going to the doctor can help, and immediately.
The reasons why the stomach itches
Women complain of itching in the abdomen, from the very first trimester until childbirth. So, let's consider the factors that can cause why a pregnant woman's stomach may itch:
- With the growth of the uterus on the stomach the skin is stretched, causing it to itch. The more elastic a woman's skin is, the less likely it is to itch. Very often, itching is a sign that stretch marks are coming soon. Stretch marks are red or pink scars on the skin of the abdomen. Broken capillaries give this color. But it often happens that there is itching, and then stretch marks do not appear. This suggests that a pregnant woman has very elastic skin;
- Allergy... During pregnancy, the female body is very sensitive to allergens. And this is even if the woman did not suffer from allergies before pregnancy. In case of allergies, clothes should be worn only from natural fabrics and the laundry detergent should be phosphate-free. The use of cosmetics should be kept to a minimum. Only products that are free of fragrances and chemicals are permitted. Itching can be a reaction to certain cosmetics, despite the fact that a woman used them without consequences before pregnancy;
- Hormonal background... At the moment of pregnancy, a hormonal explosion occurs. Therefore, itching of the abdomen is often simply indicative of hormonal changes. Some girls even believe in such a sign - if the stomach itches, then pregnancy has come;
- Dermatosis... In this case, in addition to the stomach itching, a rash appears. The cause of dermatosis can be prickly heat, viral infections, vitamin deficiency, scabies and the already mentioned allergy. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis;
- Serious diseases of the internal organs (gallbladder, kidneys and liver)... Sometimes itching can be a symptom of such dangerous diseases as pancreatitis, hepatitis, gestosis, cholecystitis and cholestasis. In this case, you should consult a doctor immediately. If itching is due to these diseases, then it manifests itself in late pregnancy, from about 38 weeks. If you do not see a doctor in time, serious damage will be caused to your health. In addition, harm can be done to the health of the unborn baby, right up to his death. Very often, in such cases, doctors stimulate premature birth. This is done so that the baby does not die. If itching is associated with abnormalities in the liver, then it can go beyond localization in the abdomen and go to the back, chest, legs and arms. By nightfall, this itching intensifies and can turn into a burning sensation. In the case of cholestasis, the hands and feet itch the most. Cholestasis most often occurs in pregnant women with a predisposition to gallstone disease, chronic cholecystitis and previously had hepatitis A. If liver disease is suspected, appropriate tests should be done (bilirubin, ALT, AST, blood chemistry test).
What to do
First you need to notify the observing doctor. After conducting the necessary research, it will become clear what caused this itching. That is, is it a common physiological phenomenon or is it a symptom of some pathology. If the second, then the woman should be ready to spend the rest of the pregnancy under the supervision of doctors, in the hospital.
To increase the elasticity of the skin and fight dryness, a pregnant woman should definitely apply moisturizing oils and creams. The skin of the abdomen and thighs must be looked after from the earliest stages of pregnancy. It is best to use a reusable olive oil... It contains ample amounts of vitamin E and antioxidants. Olive oil contains many components necessary to nourish the skin. By applying the oil 2 times a day, the problem of itchy abdomen will be solved. In addition, the appearance of stretch marks will be prevented. The composition of both cream and oil should contain only natural ingredients. They must not contain chemical additives or preservatives.
A woman during pregnancy should dress in such clothes that “breathe”. For example, cotton. During pregnancy, clothes should be washed only with such powders that do not contain phosphates. There are frequent cases of intolerance to future mothers of woolen and synthetic fabrics. Therefore, do not wear irritating clothing. For example, synthetic underwear and underwear that is too tight to the body.
With regard to food, you need to reduce the amount of foods that can provoke an allergic reaction. These are strawberries, peanuts, seafood, citrus fruits, chocolate. In general, it is not worth eating a lot of exotic foods. A pregnant woman should take special complexes of vitamins and minerals, her diet should be as varied and complete as possible. It should consist of cereals, fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, meat and dairy products. Fried, salty, spicy and fatty foods should be excluded from the menu. This will improve the functioning of the liver. The diet must certainly include prunes and dried apricots.
A pregnant woman should never neglect her personal hygiene. She must regularly change clothes and take a shower. Shower must be taken with hypoallergenic products. Only use a personal towel. Seats in public toilets should be covered with a napkin.
Finally, it should be noted that in most cases, over time, the stomach stops itching by itself.
