Itchy hands and feet during pregnancy occur in most women, although the intensity of the itching may vary. For some, it goes unnoticed, but for other pregnant women it becomes a serious nuisance.
Throughout pregnancy, the expecting woman pays close attention to her health and seems to notice every change that occurs to her and her developing kid. At the same time, she doesn’t always notice some of these changes.
Itchy hands and/or feet are not usually a benign condition. That might be a sign of anything more severe, so it’s best to be prepared.
Creams and lotions to help you with skin itching during pregnancy:
Why do your hands itch while you’re pregnant?
Itching caused by flaky, dry skin
The prospective mother’s body alters the hormonal background throughout pregnancy. Progesterone levels rise, but estrogen levels rise later in the cycle. This has an impact on the skin: it becomes sensitive and thin, and as a consequence of decreased sebum production, it ceases naturally hydrating.
Dry and flaky skin is often accompanied by the sensation that your feet and hands itch.
Allergies
The body of a pregnant woman is prone to greater exposure to allergens and may respond with rashes on the hands, feet and other regions of the body to any food that she has eaten. The same is true for external irritants: frequent contact with water, home chemicals, UV radiation, and ice on the street are the most damaging.
If the skin becomes hypersensitive during pregnancy, it might develop into an allergy, causing itching, redness, and the formation of microcracks.
Liver issues
A expanding belly starts to compress the internal organs during pregnancy. This has an impact on their usual functioning.
Gallbladder problems cause bile stasis in the liver and the onset of cholestasis. The condition is characterized by widespread itching.
The itchiness of pregnant women’s hands and feet is caused by an increase in bilirubin levels in their blood.
Stresses
Pregnancy is a trying time for the expecting mother’s body, and when it is accompanied with psychological strain and pain, the internal systems bear a double load.
Itching of the extremities, sometimes phantom, without true physical manifestations in the form of redness and peeling of the skin is a response to stressful situations.
Cholestasis is the cause of itchy hands during pregnancy
Its development is caused by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
Cholestasis is a bile production, secretion, and outflow disorder.
Since cholestasis does not cause the skin to become yellow like other liver diseases, itching is often the sole symptom that indicates the condition. Throughout the day, the pregnant woman’s hands and feet, as well as other regions of her body, itch a lot. The itching worsens at night and disrupts sleep.
If a pregnant woman has similar symptoms in the third trimester, she should see her doctor and have a bile acid test performed. If cholestasis is found, a specialized therapy based on non-toxic medications containing acids is recommended.
Itching from skin dermatitis
If the hands itch during pregnancy due to a skin disorder, a dermatologist will treat the issue. Most dermatitis can be cured; nevertheless, it is critical to begin treatment as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the chronic type.
The fact that itching is not the sole symptom of the condition makes diagnosis easier. Rashes of various types and locations emerge on the skin, allowing the doctor to exclude alternative possibilities and begin dermatitis therapy.
Treatment
Pregnant women’s itchy skin may be both a sign of major abnormalities and the body’s typical response to the circumstance. Nonetheless, it would be wise to get medical advice on this matter.
To ease the unpleasant condition while pregnant itching hands, fingers, palms, feet, knees you may undertake the following recommendations:
- Beginning at the onset of pregnancy, proper skin care for the hands and the whole body should be practiced. You’ll be able to prevent skin flaking and severe dryness that way.
- For care, it is preferable to use “hypoallergenic” products; those who have allergic reactions should temporarily cease using cosmetics for decoration and try to stay away from irritants and chemicals.
- Keep an eye on your nutrition and consume a healthy, balanced diet.
- To compensate for the body’s shortage of fluid, drink plenty of pure water.
- Avoid stressful circumstances, spend more time relaxing and sleeping, take walks outside, and engage in light exercise (after consulting your doctor).
- Inform your doctor right away if you have prolonged, severe itching and the emergence of any other symptoms.
