Congratulations mom-to-be! You’ve reached the final leg of your pregnancy – the Third Trimester! Your due date is knocking on your door and very soon you will be holding a cute, cute newborn in your arms.
Before you welcome your child into your life, you should welcome the different types of third trimester pregnancy challenges. You will not only go through a rollercoaster of emotions – sad, crying like a baby or smiling while thinking about your future baby, but also various physical changes such as hair loss or changes in your skin.
What skin changes would you notice in pregnancy?
With the last trimester comes visible changes that you can spot. You may notice some unattractive acne, blackheads, stretch marks, heat rash, hives, pruritic pustular papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) rashes, and itching are also some examples of skin changes. You may even lose the moisture and glow of your skin.
What is Prurigo?
Prurigo is a 2 to 4 mm rash on your body that you may notice in both the second and third trimesters. 1 in 300 of you get these rashes during your pregnancy. They are mainly characterized by intense itching and appear on your body as small and irregular reddish or pink spots (as small as the tip of a pencil). They look more like pimples or insect bites, sometimes they form clusters together that cover a large area of your body and are a bit painful.
Are Prurigo rashes similar to pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP)?
Yes! These Prurigo rashes can look quite similar to pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), but they look more like a patch of itchy hive-like bumps that pop up on your skin as the skin stretches. (The lumps or patches may be the same color as your skin or may be a darker shade). But like Prurigo, it is not harmful to you or the baby inside you. In addition to this fact, when your little one is born, he may have a tantrum.
Where do these rashes appear?
Prurigo or itchy rashes first appear around the abdomen (stomach) and spread within a few days to the buttocks, thighs, back and then the arms and legs. There is an itching sensation along with the rashes. You may feel extremely itchy at night which can be quite bothersome and annoying for you. Insomnia during pregnancy is not uncommon, so with those pesky itchy rashes on your body, sleep will become more of a problem for you.
Why does Prurigo or itchy skin occur?
Itchy or itchy skin can occur at any time during your pregnancy. The experts of the medical fraternity have not yet been able to clarify the reasons (cause and pathogenesis are unknown) for the appearance of these rashes. But increasing hormones, immunity and blood volume are some of the common reasons behind it.
But, you will see and feel them more when you reach the third trimester. Why?
By the time you enter the last stage of your pregnancy, you will have a developed baby and supple skin. When the skin is stretched, itching and irritation will not be an unusual factor for you. Also, there are allergic reactions to the fetal cells in the mother’s blood, as well as insufficient or poor nutrition, which can cause this unwanted disorder in your skin.
Along with the above mentioned reasons other factors are also involved. Prurigo is the result if:
- You are pregnant with twins,
- Pregnant for the first time,
- You have gained more weight than usual,
- You have Rh-positive blood type
- You have a history of atopy (allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema)) or
- If you carry your baby through IVF or IVF.
Additionally, severe itching may indicate an underlying liver condition.
How does Prurigo affect your pregnancy?
You won’t have to worry about the healthy state of your pregnancy because of Prurigo. Feeling the itch can be quite annoying for youbut it will not affect your pregnancy or the health of the life you have inside of you. Why? This skin disorder or condition is in no way associated with maternal or fetal morbidity. Only some studies have shown low birth weight in your baby as a result of Prurigo.
What Are the Recommended Treatments for Prurigo?
Every problem has its solution. So don’t miss your doctor’s appointment. He or she will make you undergo an ultrasound to check whether the health of your pregnancy is going well or not. The doctor will not even skip the fetal growth check. After all, the baby inside your womb has started to take the position to come out of your womb.
Now that you’ve talked to your health care professional about your various third trimester concerns, your skin concerns will also be taken into consideration. He or she has already noticed the rashes and will recommend medical and home treatment options for this problem.
Medical treatments for Prurigo or itchy rashes on your skin
Before starting treatment, your doctor will tell you to have some urine or blood tests. The healthcare professional wants to make sure that this disorder is not due to some kind of autoimmune condition or pre-existing eczema or cholestasis of pregnancy. Once the tests are done, the doctor will recommend:
- Some calamine (steroidal) creams or ointments and lotions, which can soothe your skin after you apply it
- Alternatively, you can keep your skin hydrated by applying some hypoallergenic moisturizer to your skin.
However, try not to take over-the-counter medications without your doctor’s permission.
Home Remedies for Prurigo or Itchy Skin Rashes
Apart from medical treatments, there are also some home remedies that you can try for Prurigo relief such as:
- Choose loose and cotton fabrics for everyday wear. Synthetics can further irritate your skin. The cotton fabric will help you avoid skin irritation and keep you cool.
- Here’s a quick oatmeal bath recipe, or you can try a cool water bath. When taking an oatmeal bath, make sure that:
- Take lukewarm water
- Finally, apply an unscented moisturizer to your skin (This water should be gentle on your skin. However, remember to soak it in a bit more to avoid leaving your skin dry)
Make sure you don’t over bathe. Excessive bathing can make the problem worse.
- After taking a cool bath, gently dry with a clean towel. Avoid harsh scrubbing or toweling to avoid further aggravating the skin.
- Do the wet compresses. (This is a wet wrap technique in which the first layer of tubular bandage or gauze will be wet and the second layer will be dry)
- Apply essential oils or aloe vera gel. Make sure the aloe vera gel you use has as few chemicals as possible.
- Keep your nails well trimmed to avoid any accidental abrasions.,
- Whenever you go out in the sun, apply sunscreen with SPF 30
- Try to avoid temperate environments that cause sweating.
- Try to avoid scented perfumes, soaps, shower gels or foam bath products
- Avoid scratching/rubbing/scratching the affected areas as it may worsen the condition.
How long does Prurigo last?
It can be difficult for you to deal with this kind of itching as it will not let you sleep. But this is a pregnancy challenge that remains unavoidable for you. Moreso, because there is almost no way to reduce the risks for it. There is no other way out but to wait with a baited heart to hold your baby in your arms and let the Prurigo go.
In most cases, these rashes would not recur after your first pregnancy. However, keep visiting your doctors so that you can make use of preventive measures well in advance.
Above all, itchy rashes in pregnancy are like some of the challenges of pregnancy. You may need to accept the challenges, see your health care professional regularly, and use treatment options to enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.
