After complaining in a Facebook post that an itching kept her awake at night, despite being 35 weeks pregnant, a US mum can thank her friends for possibly saving her daughter’s life. Friends urged her to visit her doctor, and one even suggested a possible diagnosis: cholestasis.
What You Should Know About the Condition That Can Harm Unborn Babies
While pregnancy is a time of excitement and transformation, it can also be a time filled with challenges and risks. Many expectant mothers know about common pregnancy discomforts. However, certain conditions can be dangerous to both mother and child. You need to know about these risks so that you can protect your unborn baby. What you should know about the conditions that are most likely to harm an unborn baby.
Unbearable Itching
Christine DePino, from Louisiana, was already dealing with the discomfort of being in her third trimester. She desperately wanted relief from this persistent itch. DePino, a Louisiana woman, said today that the itch began as a generalized itch and then became more noticeable on her hands and feet. It got so bad that I couldn’t sleep at night. My arms and legs were bleeding.
Friends Raise Red Flag
She says that her friends’ concern prompted her to search for information about the condition, and it was then she learned it could cause severe distress to her unborn child and lead to stillbirth. She called her doctor, and tests confirmed that she had intrahepatic pregnancy cholestasis (ICP). Her unborn child was born on 28 March with no problems. “As I held my beautiful baby in my arms all I could do was think, ‘What if?'” she told NOW.
“What if I hadn’t complained on Facebook? What if I had not been told? All I could do was think about how I needed to tell other women. I didn’t want them to be left wondering what happened to their healthy baby.” She posted on Facebook to thank her friends and share the close call she had. The post has been shared over 62,000 times. “If you are pregnant and itching is REALLY bad, don’t ignore this!” she wrote.
What is ICP
ICP care describes the condition as “a group liver disorders that are specific to pregnancy and interfere with the flow bile”. ICP occurs when the cells of the body are unable move the bile normally, causing bile acid to build up in blood.
What is the Cause of ICP?
ICP can be caused by genetics, hormonal factors, and/or environmental factors.
What is the Danger?
As bile acids are elevated in the blood, the baby is at greater risk of premature birth, distress, first poo passage, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), breathing failure, and stillbirth. ICP poses little risk to mum but in some cases, it can cause maternal hemorrhage.
What Symptoms Should You Look Out for?
You will most likely notice moderate to severe itching. Itching can occur in certain parts of the body or all over. The itching is usually not accompanied by any rash. Other symptoms include dark urine and pale stools. They can also cause pain on the upper right side of the body.
What is the Treatment of ICP?
ICP is not curable except by delivery. The bile acids can be controlled with medication, but the baby will usually be delivered before 37 weeks of gestation.
Itching During Pregnancy – what is Normal and What is Not?
Itching during pregnancy, especially in the breasts and belly, is common but annoying. You can treat itchy skin in pregnancy and prevent it. Also, you should call your doctor if the itch persists.
Itching is Normal During Pregnancy.
In most cases, yes, mild itching is normal during pregnancy and is very common, with up to 20% of pregnant women experiencing itchy skin, as your skin grows, you may experience itching around your breasts and belly, and itchy nipples are also common in pregnancy, with extra itchiness being caused by dry skin or hormonal changes, and heating indoors during winter can increase itching.
While some women with eczema may find their condition improves during pregnancy, and some women with psoriasis experience less severe symptoms, while others find their psoriasis worsens, but you should contact your doctor if you notice a new, itchy skin rash during your pregnancy, or if you experience severe itching in your hands, soles of feet, or on the palms, as these are symptoms of serious medical conditions.
How to Avoid Itching in Pregnancy
These tips may help to minimize itching during pregnancy.
- Use lukewarm water in your shower and bath. Too hot of a temperature can dry the skin out and cause itching. It’s better to avoid super-hot bathtubs when pregnant. If possible, limit your showers and baths to 10 minutes or less. Use mild soaps that don’t have fragrances. Rinse thoroughly and gently towel dry.
- Keep cool. Avoid being outdoors in the sun for long periods. Heat (and overheating can make itching worse).
- Wear comfortable clothing. Wear loose cotton clothing to prevent irritation of your skin.
- Moisturize. After a bath or shower, apply a fragrance-free cream or lotion. Keep lotion in the refrigerator to cool your skin while moisturizing it.
- Reduce your stress. Take measures to reduce anxiety while you are pregnant. Although it may not seem related, these factors can make itching worse.
- Stay Hydrated. Drink lots of water during the day. Here is the amount of water you should drink during pregnancy.
- A humidifier can help to keep the air cool and moist. This will prevent your skin from becoming dry.
How to Treat Itchy Skin in Pregnancy
Avoid scratching your skin. It can irritate and lead to skin infections. These simple steps can help you if you are itching or scrubbing because your skin is dry and stretched.
- Apply cold. Apply cold.
- Moisturize. The best lotions and creams to use are those that do not contain fragrances. Aloe vera gel directly applied to the itchy area may provide temporary relief.
- Enjoy a warm oatmeal bath now and then. You may purchase oatmeal bath powder at drugstores and online.
- Before moisturizing, apply medications. Speak to your doctor about anti-itch topical medications, such as calamine cream, that you can buy over the counter. Although most of these medications are safe to use during pregnancy, you should discuss them with your midwife or doctor before using them. Apply the topical medication as directed by your provider to relieve itching. Then moisturize your entire body. This includes the area you just treated.
Call Your Doctor if You Experience Itching During Pregnancy
Itchy skin during pregnancy can be a sign of something serious. Itchy skin may be a sign of underlying conditions that can hurt your baby. These conditions require extra monitoring and treatment.
Contact your provider if:
- A new rash appears during pregnancy
- Skin condition getting worse
- Even if there is no rash, you may still feel very itchy.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and may order blood tests to diagnose potential problems. They can then recommend the appropriate treatment and refer you to dermatologists if needed.
Possible Possibilities Include:
Many expectant mothers suffer from itching during pregnancy. Itching during pregnancy is a common discomfort for many expectant mothers. While often harmless, and caused by hormonal changes or skin stretch, it can also be an indication of a serious condition. Understanding pregnancy-related itching, and knowing when to seek medical help can ensure a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.
Cholestasis During Pregnancy
Cholestasis during pregnancy occurs when bile builds up in the liver. The itching is usually worse in the soles and palms of your feet. This occurs most commonly in the 3rd trimester. Cholestasis occurs in 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 pregnancies. It is more common among Latina women. It usually disappears shortly after delivery.
Atopic Eruption During Pregnancy.
AEP is a group of conditions that includes eczema and other skin conditions such as pruritic folliculitis or prurigo during pregnancy. Itchy skin can be seen on the arms or legs. Eczema can cause scaly patches or flaky skin. The tiny bumps that look like pimples are caused by folliculitis pruritic. The bumps, which look like tiny bug bites but are itchy, increase in size each day. AEP can be treated by medication and usually disappears shortly after delivery.
Pemphigoid gestationis.
This is a very serious, but rare autoimmune disorder. It usually starts as a rash with intense itching that develops into blisters. The rash usually occurs on the abdomen but can also appear on your arms or legs. It doesn’t affect the fetus but can take months or even weeks to disappear after birth.
PUP Skin.
Itchy, small raised spots around your stomach – particularly in the third trimester — may be pruritic papules or plaques (also known as PUP skin condition). This rare skin condition can cause severe itching.
Itching During Pregnancy
Many expectant mothers suffer from itching during pregnancy. Itching during pregnancy is a common discomfort for many expectant mothers. While often harmless, and caused by hormonal changes or skin stretch, it can also be an indication of a serious condition. Understanding pregnancy-related itching, and knowing when to seek medical help can ensure a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.
Why do I Itch?
It’s normal for the skin to itch as it tightens on your stomach (abdomen). Itchy skin is sometimes a sign of pregnancy-related health conditions. If you are itchy, tell your physician or nurse.
What Causes Itching During Pregnancy?
Itching can be caused by a variety of conditions, with itching in the vaginal area possibly indicating an infection such as thrush, and itching around the anus (back passage) potentially indicating hemorrhoids, both of which are common during pregnancy.
Atopic Eruption in Pregnancy
Atopic eruption during pregnancy (AEP) is a term used to describe a variety of itchiness and rashes that occur during pregnancy, most often in the first or second trimester, and is usually accompanied by dry skin, with AEP being classified into two main types: eczema or prurigo.
Eczema
Eczema causes red, dry, scaly skin that is itchy and dry, usually affecting the face, wrists, ankles, elbow creases, and back of knees, and it may be a chronic condition that improves, only to return later, making your skin more sensitive to irritations, though it is not contagious. Find out more about eczema.
Prurigo During Pregnancy
The rash of pregnancy can be itchy and may appear on large areas of your arms, legs, or abdomen, usually occurring in the first or third trimester. Learn more about prurigo during pregnancy.
Pregnancy-related Intrahepatic Cholestasis
It is a liver disease that prevents your liver from properly removing substances from your system, causing itchy skin, which usually begins on the palms or soles of the feet but can happen anywhere and spread throughout your body, with cholestasis occurring rarely and usually diagnosed in the second or third pregnancy, typically disappearing shortly after the birth of your baby, and you will be closely monitored during your pregnancy if diagnosed with cholestasis. Learn more about intrahepatic pregnancy cholestasis.
