It is normal for pregnant women to feel itch more than usual than before before pregnancy

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There are various factors that can trigger itching in pregnant women, ranging from hormones, skin conditions, to certain medical conditions.

The most itchy body area is usually on the abdomen and breast. If what you feel is mild itching, it is generally considered normal.

Nearly 25 percent of pregnant women experience itching, but if the itching is severe and covers almost the entire surface of the body's skin, then you should not ignore it because there is a possibility that it is caused by a more serious medical condition.

Here are some of the causes of itching in pregnant women which is usually not a serious condition.

An increase in blood supply to the skin.
The spread of tissue under the skin layer as your uterus grows.
Your skin is dry.
Hormonal changes occur that cause discomfort, including itching of the hands, palms, legs and stomach.
Common medical conditions for the skin, such as eczema.

When you are pregnant, the arrival of eczema is more difficult to estimate. Even you can experience eczema for the first time. Meanwhile, if you have experienced eczema before, this condition can improve or worsen during pregnancy.

Skin irritation due to fungal infections or mite bites.
Some women can experience palmar erythema or redden the part of the palm of the hand which is sometimes accompanied by itching. The cause of this condition itself is an increase in estrogen hormone levels during pregnancy.

In addition to the above causes, itching can be felt during pregnancy can also be caused by more serious medical conditions, such as obstetric cholestasis.
Although obstetric cholestasis is rare, this condition requires special medical attention.
Obstetric cholestasis is a liver disorder that can occur when you are pregnant. Under normal conditions, bile salts flow from the liver to the intestine to help digest food.
However, in obstetric cholestatic conditions, bile salts do not flow as they should and stagnate inside your body.
Then How to Overcome Itching?

When you feel mild itching, try to do the following steps.

1. Avoid hot temperatures. Including not bathing in hot water, exposed to the scorching sun directly, or wearing clothes that make you hot.
   Hot temperatures can make you more prone to itching. In addition, temperatures that are too hot are also not good for your baby.

2. Avoid cleaning products with a strong content of perfume and detergent because it can make your skin dry or irritated, and it can easily cause itching.
   Instead, use soft soap that can moisturize the skin or soap with a balanced pH content.

3. Apply calamine lotion in areas of itchy skin.
   This cream is generally safe to use by pregnant women to reduce itching.

4. Refresh your skin with moisturizing cream that does not contain perfume or perfume.

5. If you experience eczema, consult a doctor about a cream or ointment that is safe to use.

What to do if the method still doesn't work?
If you have taken all the steps above and your condition has not improved after a week, check with your doctor.
In addition, differentiate ordinary mild itching with itching that indicates obstetric cholestasis.

In obstetric cholestasis, patients feel itching more often and occur in large areas of the body's skin. In addition, itching often worsens at night.
You can feel itching on the palms or soles of the feet. Even if you experience itching that is not usually accompanied by a skin rash, some women can also experience a severe rash. Meanwhile, feces experience discoloration and pale urine becomes dark.

The doctor will perform blood tests and liver function.
In addition, because of the link between obstetric cholestatic conditions and stillbirth, the obstetrician may offer a caesarean section or 37 weeks after utero.