One common question you have must be whether it is normal to feel itchy during pregnancy. It is not rare to feel itchy during your pregnancy, especially around your growing belly and growing breasts. Your skin tends to feel dry as your skin stretches and tightens from the growth of your belly.
This dryness is what causes to feel itchy. Hormonal changes in your body can also be a reason to blame. The changing hormones are one major reason why you feel itchy all over.
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Home Remedies For Itching During Pregnancy
1.Use Ice And Cold Compresses
Apply an ice pack or some cold compress to the areas on your skin where the itchiness might have caused any kind of inflammation or redness. The ice pack will cool down your skin and provide you with relief.
2.Dandelion Root Herbs And Milk Thistle
These herbs are especially known for treating liver problems. They are effective natural treatments for treating liver problems. So, they can be used to reduce the itchiness caused by cholestasis and give you some relief. It is natural and safe and is definitely much better than the chemical medications.
3. Take A Warm Oatmeal Bath Occasionally
You can make your own oatmeal bath. Use a coffee grinder to grind the oats to obtain it in the form of powder. With the powdered oats, drop a couple of cups of the oatmeal into a warm bath, and have an itch-relief bath.
Instead of this, you can also buy an Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment from one of your local drugstores. For attaining maximum relief, make sure that the bath is warm, and not hot. Make sure to gently pat yourself dry with a towel after the bath.
4.Tulsi Or Holy Basil
Tulsi or Holy Basil leaves are highly rich in eugenol, camphor and thymol. These products have the ability to reduce the irritation and the itch on your skin. All you need to do is just wash a few leaves of Tulsi and rub them over the affected areas.
You can also prepare a tea by boiling few of these leaves in water in a covered utensil. Then use a cotton cloth or cotton ball and apply this tea on all the itchy areas to get some relief.
5.Ointments And Calendula Cream
These lotions or creams provide relief from dry skin and itching during your pregnancy. You need to rub the cream on the itchy parts of your body to prevent the itchiness. It is among one of the most common remedies for relief from itchy skin among pregnant women.
6. Apply Aloe Vera Gel
You can also apply Aloe Vera gel on the affected areas of your skin to reduce the inflammation and itching. Aloe Vera is well-known for its excellent benefits for all skin types.
The gel will also create a layer of protection on your skin. It will also prevent you from causing any further damage by scratching your skin.
7.Baking Soda And Water
You can also mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste you made all of your belly and the other areas of itchy skin to reduce any symptom such as redness, itchiness, and pain. It will cool your body and provide you with a lot of relief.
8.If you are suffering from PUPP, applying a scentless powder or calamine lotion on the folds of your skin between your breasts and thighs will help you as it will reduce the irritation and inflammation.
9.Lemon Juice
You can also use diluted lemon juice to get relief from itching. Apply a diluted mixture of lemon juice on all those parts that itch, and leave it on to get relief.
10. Gramme Flour Paste
Gram flour paste made by mixing gram flour, turmeric powder and water is not only good for beautifying your skin, but it is also widely used to relieve pregnant women from unstoppable itching.
These are also some measures you should take care of to reduce the inflammation and itching:
- Try to avoid hot baths and showers, as hot water will dry out your skin further and make the itching worse.
- Do not use the loofah, scrubs or body washes while bathing as they can irritate your skin more and increase the itching.
- Use mild and unscented soap, as few scents can cause your skin to feel irritated; be sure to rinse the soap off well.
- Do not scratch no matter how tempted you are. Scratching your skin will only cause further irritation to your skin.
- Use pH-balanced body washes or mild, moisturising soaps to wash your skin.
- Use Moisturizer. After you have showered or bathed, use a gentle, light and fragrance-free moisturiser to help temporarily reduce the itching. Make sure to apply it frequently.
- Try to put cool and wet compresses on the areas where you feel itchy.
- Try to avoid going out in the hot sun, as heat can intensify and increase the itching. The heat is not even good for the baby.
- Wear loose and smooth cotton clothing to help your skin breathe and relax.
- You can also dab on an anti-itch cream. You could feel a certain amount of relief by applying some soothing calamine lotion on to your itchy patches.
- Apply and smooth on some vitamin E oil. This vitamin E oil is extremely healing. It is also effective in giving you relief from sore nipples after pregnancy too.
- Stay hydrated by drinking enough water every day.
There are also home remedies to remove vaginal odor. You can give them a try.
There are always these measures that can be taken at home to find relief from the constant itching. But sometimes, the itching worsens and it is not something that should be avoided and left to be treated at home.
If you are feeling extremely itchy or have a serious rash on your skin, by taking only these measures alone will not be enough to help you to obtain relief or get rid of the itchy sensation.
It would be better if you talk to your caregiver. You might need oral medication or topical, or both might be required.
Home Remedies For Vaginal Itching During Pregnancy
As vaginal itching is extremely troublesome, irritating and annoying, certain home remedies can always be taken to prevent the itching sensation in your vagina during pregnancy.
1. Have A Saline Bath
A saline bath does not only mean adding Epsom, or rock salt to your bath. You should avoid using scented bath salts. Some doctors have also mentioned that saline baths can cause dangerous side effects.
The salt might absorb too much water out of your skin, so it is advised to bathe for a short period of time especially during your pregnancy. Hot water should be avoided at all times.
2. Add Vinegar To Bath
Adding a little amount of vinegar to your bathwater can help you by reducing the external itchiness. But in this approach too, having a brief bath is advised. Too much soaking in vinegar and water mix can cause a pH imbalance and lead to more itching
3. Yogurt
Applying some yoghurt on the affected area of your skin will help you get relief from vaginal itching
4. Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda, when mixed with a few drops of water, makes a paste that is used to help alleviate the itchiness in your vagina. Having a baking soda bath also helps from the itchiness .In some cases, a simple cold washcloth will also offer relief.
6. Do Not Scratch
Try not to scratch the area, as it can irritate the skin of your vulva and cause tissue damage.
7. Wear clean and cotton underwear as it will help your skin breathe. Underwear made of natural fibre should only be used.
8. Avoid Sexual Intercourse
It is advised to avoid having any intercourse when you are experiencing vaginal itching during your pregnancy.Having intercourse can further irritate your skin and cause the itching to increase.
About vaginal itching, it has been said that it is safe to use the over-the-counter treatments for any yeast infection, but you should probably see your doctor before using it.
For vaginal itching, it is always recommended to consult your doctor before treating yourself as it is better to be safe than sorry..