What is itching during pregnancy?

Itching during pregnancy is common and can happen for many reasons, such as your skin stretching as the baby grows. Sometimes, itchy skin can be a symptom of a pregnancy health condition. It is important to tell your doctor or midwife if you feel itchy.

What symptoms are related to itch in pregnancy?

Depending on the cause, different areas of your body may feel itchy.

Itching in pregnancy may be accompanied by a rash. Sometimes there may be scratch marks or other skin changes caused by scratching.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes itching during pregnancy?

There are different conditions that can cause itching during pregnancy.

The skin on your abdomen (tummy) stretches as your baby grows, and it’s common for it to feel itchy.

If your vaginal area feels itchy, this could be a sign of an infection, such as thrush. If the area around your anus (back passage) feels itchy, this could be a sign of haemorrhoids. These are both common in pregnancy.

Atopic eruption of pregnancy

Atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP) includes a range of itchy rashes during pregnancy. It usually occurs in the first or second trimester. It can cause dry skin.

The 2 common forms of AEP are eczema and prurigo.

Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry, scaly, itchy, red skin. It usually affects your face, elbow creases and the back of your knees but can appear elsewhere.

Eczema occurs in people whose skin is sensitive to irritants.

Learn more about eczema.

Prurigo of pregnancy

Prurigo of pregnancy is an itchy rash that may develop during pregnancy.

The prurigo of pregnancy rash is red and bumpy and may appear on your abdomen, arms or legs. It usually appears in the first or second trimester.

Learn more about prurigo of pregnancy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver condition. It stops your liver from getting rid of substances from your body properly.

This causes itchy skin without a rash. The itch usually starts on your palms and the soles of your feet and then spreads to other parts of your body.

Cholestasis is rare and usually starts in the third trimester. It usually goes away soon after your baby is born. If you are diagnosed with cholestasis, you will need to be monitored throughout your pregnancy.

Read more about intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP)

Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) is also known as ‘pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy’ (PUPPP). PEP/PUPPP is a very itchy, red, bumpy rash.

It often starts in stretch marks on your abdomen before spreading to other parts of your body. It usually goes away within a few weeks after your baby is born.

PEP/PUPPP usually starts late in the third trimester of your first pregnancy.

Read more about PEP/PUPPP.

Pemphigoid gestationis

This is a rare autoimmune condition that can happen in pregnancy. It causes very itchy bumps that turn into blisters.

How is the cause of itch in pregnancy diagnosed?

Your doctor or midwife may be able to tell what kind of rash you have by looking at it. Sometimes you may need a skin biopsy to find the cause of an itchy rash.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy can be diagnosed with blood tests.

When should I see my doctor or midwife?

If you are pregnant and feel itchy, see your doctor or midwife. They can check you for conditions that can cause a rash or itch.

Check with your doctor before taking any treatments for your itch while pregnant.

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How is itching during pregnancy treated?

Here are some things you can try to help relieve itch:

• take a cool shower
• wear loose cotton clothing
• use a moisturiser, such as those including menthol

You may need medicines to help with itching during pregnancy, such as:

• antihistamines
• corticosteroid creams or tablets

The appropriate treatment will depend on what is causing your itch.

Before using any medicine during pregnancy, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, dermatologist or obstetrician. They can tell you what medicines are suitable for you while pregnant.

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What are the complications of itching during pregnancy?

Many itchy rashes are not harmful, but some itching conditions can affect your baby.

Cholestasis can be dangerous for your baby and increase the chance of:

• fetal distress
• preterm labour
• stillbirth
• admission of your baby to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

If you have cholestasis, you may need to give birth earlier than expected.

Pemphigoid gestationis can increase the chance of:

• preterm labour
• your baby being small
• stillbirth
• your baby being born with blisters, which will eventually go away

Resources and support

If you have any questions or concerns about itching during pregnancy, speak to your doctor, midwife or obstetrician.

The Australasian College of Dermatologists has tips on how to manage skin problems during pregnancy.

Other languages

Health Translations Victoria has information about coping with common discomforts of pregnancy in different languages.