Not infrequently changes in the body during pregnancy cause complaints. An itchy stomach during pregnancy is one of the most common complaints. To overcome this, there are some tips that you can do yourself at home.
The itching feeling in the abdominal area during pregnancy often makes pregnant women unable to bear to scratch. The itching generally gets worse in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Causes of Itchy Stomach During Pregnancy
Itching during pregnancy is caused by increased pregnancy hormones in the body. For the stomach, itching can be felt even more after entering the end of pregnancy, because the skin on the stomach is getting stretched.
An itchy stomach during pregnancy is normal. There is no need to worry about this, because generally the itching will disappear soon after giving birth.
Tips for Overcoming Itchy Stomach During Pregnancy
To relieve the annoying stomach itching during pregnancy, here are some tips that you can do:
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Clothing that is too tight can rub against the skin, putting it at risk of irritation. Choose clothing made from natural materials, such as cotton, so that the skin can "breathe" and sweat is more easily absorbed.
- When the stomach gets bigger, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to choose underwear that covers the stomach. However, this will cause a lot of friction, making the skin itchy even more. To prevent this, it is recommended to choose underwear that does not cover the stomach.
- Use soaps that are gentle on the skin and unscented to avoid irritation.
- Avoid spraying perfume on the skin, to avoid skin irritation.
- Hot showers can dry out the skin and make itching worse. On the other hand, taking a cold shower followed by a moisturizer on the skin can relieve itching.
- To make the skin more moisturized, use a moisturizing cream at night before going to bed and leave it overnight.
- Staying in an air-conditioned room all day can dry out your skin even more. To fix this, use an air humidifier (humidifier) in the room.
- Avoid being in a hot room or environment for long, because sweating can cause itching on the skin.
- If the itching is very bothersome, apply a cold compress to the itchy area.
Stomach itching during pregnancy is generally not harmful to the fetus in the womb. However, if a very annoying rash develops, accompanied by itching on the palms of the hands and feet, or the itching gets worse at night, you should immediately consult a doctor.
To relieve the symptoms of an itchy stomach during pregnancy, you can practice the methods above. However, do not hesitate to consult a gynecologist if there are more serious symptoms that interfere with activities.