Unfortunately during pregnancy, you may find that many parts of your body have become itchy. Perhaps the most common, and most irritating, happens as the uterus expands and the abdominal skin and muscles stretch.
This itching and burning sensation can start during the second trimester, but is most common during trimester three, where the pain or numbness centers around the upper ribs and breastbone. Because the uterus grows bigger in multiple birth pregnancies, mothers of twins and triplets are more commonly affected.
In extreme cases this may develop into a condition with one of the longest names in pregnancy: pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy or PUPPP for short. This condition, which occurs only in pregnancy, is manifested first as extremely itchy hives and red plaques on the abdomen, and surrounding the navel. Later this spreads to the thighs and arms, although rarely is the face affected. Although this condition is intensely uncomfortable there is no risk to the pregnancy or your baby as a result of PUPPP.
A common cause of itchiness during pregnancy is increased sweating resulting from the rise in thyroid glandA vascular organ at the front of the neck consisting of two lobes connected in front of the windpipe. Larger in women than men, it increases in size during pregnancy, secreting the hormones thyroxine into the blood. It is activated by the pituitary thyrotropbic hormone and elaborated with iodine. It is essential to maintain normal body growth during infancy and childhood.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. secretion. Starting at about week twelve you may experience an itchy rash that resembles tiny red bubbles. Commonly called 'prickly heat' or heat rash', this condition is known as miliaria.
You may also find burning, itchy, reddened skin under your arms, breasts or any other skin folds. This condition, called intertrigo often develops into a yeast or bacterial infection.
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Abdominal itching affects most women as the baby grows and puts on weight during trimester three, although some women suffer from the second trimester onwards. Miliaria and intertrigo, resulting from increased activity of the thyroid glandA vascular organ at the front of the neck consisting of two lobes connected in front of the windpipe. Larger in women than men, it increases in size during pregnancy, secreting the hormones thyroxine into the blood. It is activated by the pituitary thyrotropbic hormone and elaborated with iodine. It is essential to maintain normal body growth during infancy and childhood.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. begins to affect women during the third month of pregnancy.
Abdominal itching and skin rash affect about twenty percent (1 in 5) women during their pregnancy. Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, PUPPP, is much more rare and occurs in about one percent (1 in 100) pregnancies. PrimigravidaA term used to describe a mother who is pregnant for the first time. Sometimes called gravida I.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. patients, experiencing pregnancy for the first time are more susceptible to this condition and it seldom recurs in subsequent pregnancies.
Although it may be difficult, avoid scratching to relieve the itch. Many women find relief from itching by bathing with oatmeal soap and oil, which can provide relaxation and soothe your skin. It is important to natural fibers: avoid synthetic clothes and underwear, and look for loose items made from cotton.
If you are suffering from miliaria or 'prickly heat', try applying calamine lotion or talcum powder to the affected areas. Other natural remedies for itching include gently applying a mixture of essential oils (chamomile, lavender and bergamot), dropped into a small quantity of witch hazel or rosewater. You can also try an antipruritic (anti-itching) lotion containing menthol, which many women find effective.
If you are one of the unfortunate women who suffer from PUPPP, your doctor may suggest several treatments. Symptomatic relief may be found through the use of antihistamines. Corticosteroids can be applied to the skin, but if these are not effective it may be necessary to try oral steroidsMedications derived from hormones including estrogen, testoterone, progesterone and prednisone, that are used to treat various diseases.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions..
If you have intertrigo it is important to keep the skin under your arms, and anywhere else you may be affected, clean and dry. If necessary, it may be necessary to apply a hydrocortisone cream and antifungal medication to prevent or control the infection.
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