See also: vaginal itching - anal itching
Itching is a fairly common sensation in pregnancy, especially in the abdominal region, breasts and extremities. The cause of itching in pregnancy is often represented by physiological changes related to gestation, although in many cases there is no direct correlation between itching and pregnancy; this unpleasant symptom can in fact be triggered by independent factors, such as food allergies or intolerances, dry skin or eczema.
It is no coincidence, therefore, that itching generally appears towards the third trimester of pregnancy and tends to progressively accentuate until delivery, and then disappear within a few hours or days from the end of the happy event.
Estrogen and the increase in fetal size are also involved in the appearance of specific liver disorders, absent in non-pregnant patients (although sometimes common among women who take birth control pills, due to the already mentioned predisposing role of estrogen). We speak of cholestasis. gravidica to indicate a liver disease that occurs mainly during the second half of gestation, manifesting itself with intense itching, increased transaminasemia and sometimes modest jaundice. volumetric increase in the abdomen and by the cholestatic action of estrogens. Similarly to the previous conditions, cholestasis also has a benign course and disappears after childbirth; however, it can reappear in subsequent pregnancies or with the intake of oral contraceptives. The disease also can cause some problems for the fetus, as it increases the possibility of premature birth, fetal distress in labor and the possibility of neonatal asphyxia. For this reason, in case the itching is very intense and cholestasis of pregnancy is suspected, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible, who will subject the mother and fetus to a series of diagnostic tests. If the itching is intense or the blood values show a particularly marked cholestasis, drugs are prescribed to clear the blood of bile (cholestyramine). If the health conditions require it, premature birth can also be induced.
In a small percentage of women, pruritus during pregnancy is caused by a disorder known as urticarial papules of pregnancy. More common in women who are expecting their first child or twins, it manifests itself with the appearance of itchy red spots in the abdomen. near stretch marks, which can also extend to the rest of the body, sparing the face. This condition, although particularly annoying, does not cause particular problems either to the mother or to the fetus; the treatment consists of applying refreshing / moisturizing lotions or creams and possibly taking specific medications under medical supervision (generally antihistamines).
Drinking lots of water is very important and helps relieve itching by keeping the skin hydrated, reducing water retention and preventing dehydration; in this regard it is useful to avoid too hot baths and use delicate detergents. At the same time, adopting a diet poor in foods that are difficult to digest (eggs, dips, fried, cured meats, etc.) will save the liver from unnecessary overloads. Finally, itching in pregnancy can be prevented by applying special elasticizing and anti-stretch mark preparations to the skin. or attenuated by applying mentholated talc or refreshing lotions.
