It is common for pregnant women they feel itchy skin of the gut. 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 itchy tissue, 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 a centimeter of skin can stretch up to 10 cm, it is normal to feel itching caused by dry skin. It is called gestational pruritus.
Not all women are affected equally. Some feel a little discomfort while for others the itching is desperate.
Apart from dryness, 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 a risk to the baby but can cause irritation or eczema.
Anyway, 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.
Also, if they feel itchy bellies, take note of some tips on how to relieve itching in pregnancy.
- Keep the skin always hydrated
- Use creams with chamomile, marigold or oatmeal
- He wears loose, breathable cotton clothes
- Avoid scratching
- Avoid places with high humidity or heat
- Avoid showers or baths with too hot water because they dry the skin more
- Use a mild bath soap
- Hydrates the body through food and drinks enough water
