Itching When You're Pregnant: 10 Home Remedies

Itching when you're pregnant is quite common. And to mitigate it, there are some home remedies that can be implemented today. We'll tell you what they are.

Reviewed and approved by the dermatologist Maria del Carmen Hernandez.

Written by Maria del Carmen Hernandez

Last update: 22 December, 2021

Itching when you’re pregnant is usually quite annoying and alters the quality of life of expecting mothers. In most cases, itching can be attributed to dry skin and hormonal changes that are typical of pregnancy.

Fortunately, there are some home remedies that can help to mitigate this feeling and provide relief. Therefore, below, we’ll tell you everything about them. Keep reading!

Natural remedies to improve itching during pregnancy

The third trimester of pregnancy is characterized by the appearance of itching and other distinctive dermatological lesions. Although it’s necessary to discuss this with your doctor to rule out certain potentially serious conditions, you can put into practice some natural strategies to relieve itching when you’re pregnant.

1. Cold compresses

Applying cold compresses to the itchiest regions is a good strategy to relieve inflammation of the skin. Likewise, the use of cold water directly on these areas improves the erythema and associated discomfort.

2. Calamine lotion

Calamine lotion has a relaxing effect and helps soothe the following dermatological conditions:

• Insect bites
• Chickenpox.
• Herpes
• Reactions to poisonous plants
• Scabies

The active ingredients in these creams result from the combination of ferric oxide and zinc oxide. Among their most important advantages is the fact that they can be obtained without a prescription in pharmacies.

3. Calendula oil

Some of the benefits of calendula oil are based on its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. These make it a good option for treating wounds or stimulating the healing process. It even serves to improve the appearance and quality of the skin.

Calendula extract comes in different forms: Ointments, creams, or oils.

4. Rosewater

Rosewater can be applied to the skin to soothe irritation, eczema, and psoriasis. In addition, it’s used as a moisturizer for dry, scaly, and rough skin or for cases of mild itching.

Its benefits come from its volatile oils, its phenolic compounds, and aromatics.

5. Loose clothing

According to recommendations from the American Pregnancy Association, the choice of clothing is one of the factors to consider in order to relieve itching in pregnancy.

In this sense, the use of loose clothing is ideal as it reduces the likelihood of irritation. Likewise, the selection of garments made with natural fabrics, such as cotton, allows fabrics to breathe more easily than with synthetic fibers. This translates into a reduction in skin discomfort in general.

6. Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel is a great home remedy that helps alleviate many skin conditions. Among them, itching when you’re pregnant. In addition, it produces a protective film on the skin surface that prevents possible scratching injuries.

Some of the properties attributed to the aloe vera plant are described below:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Pain-relieving
• Moisturizing
• Healing
• Antimicrobial

Many publications endorse the use of aloe vera as a home remedy to soothe certain rashes, making it a fundamental element for skincare at all stages.

7. Oatmeal and warm baths

One of the main skincare guidelines while bathing is to avoid hot water, as vasodilation can increase itching when getting out of the water. Even the use of neutral or syndet soaps maintains the optimal pH values of the skin and improves skin dryness.

According to a study published by the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, oats have important antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, prebiotic, and skin-repairing properties.

Therefore, taking a warm bath with oatmeal can significantly relieve itching.

8. Detergents or perfumes

Some fabric detergents and softeners can trigger outbreaks of itchiness, due to the chemicals or perfumes that make them up. For this reason, it’s best to program your washing machine to perform several rinses in order to avoid any remnants that may irritate the skin.

In the same way, body perfumes or fragrances for clothing also tend to trigger itching and it’s a good idea to avoid them.

9. Moisturizing cream

Hydrated and undamaged skin is a healthy skin. Therefore, the use of creams with emollients that are high in vitamin A, vitamin E, allantoin, hyaluronic acid, or urea are good options to prevent dry skin and the itchiness it causes.

10. Proper hydration and nutrition

Keeping the body properly hydrated contributes to maintaining healthy and functional skin. Therefore, it’s essential that you increase your fluid intake during pregnancy, as well as maintain a varied and balanced diet.

In addition, hydration helps prevent swelling in the lower limbs that often makes itching worse.

Itching when you’re pregnant is a common symptom

Itching in pregnancy is quite common, especially in the abdomen, breasts, and legs.

However, you need to discuss this issue with the doctor during the controls in order to detect as soon as possible any gestational problems that could produce this symptom.

Although itching can’t be avoided in all cases, some measures can be taken to alleviate the discomfort.