Itching During Pregnancy – Its Causes and 11 Home Remedies
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Aries has its share of ups and downs, While it is undoubtedly a blessing, some issues may frustrate you.
One of these problems is the constant itching that a pregnant woman suffers from. With all the extra pumping of blood and the hormones depleted, side effects like itching are no surprise.
But do not worry, Here are some natural and safe home remedies to combat itching during pregnancy. Read on.
What causes itching during pregnancy?
Itchiness during pregnancy is not a major concern and is often the result of changes taking place in your body. These changes include:
Increase blood flow to the skin
Skin Tightening
The development of stretch marks
Hormonal changes
Dry, itchy skin, which may indicate itchy papules and urticaria plaques
Small, raised spots all over the body
Intense and uncontrollable itching, which could indicate a serious medical condition called intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP) that affects the liver
The itch can be very painful when it becomes an ongoing problem. Hence, we have come up with the following home remedies for safe and effective relief.
Home remedies to get rid of itching during pregnancy
Natural remedies to treat itching during pregnancy
1. An oatmeal bath
you will need
1 cup oatmeal
Water
You have to do
Add 1 cup of oatmeal to a basin filled with water.
Soak in this for about 20 minutes.
You can also tie some soaked oatmeal to a rag.
How often should you do this
must you do it on a daily basis.
Why does this work?
Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties that can help treat itching and dermatitis .
2. Coconut oil
You will need
organic coconut oil
you need to do
Take some organic coconut oil in your hands and massage it gently on the affected areas.
Leave it on overnight or for 30 to 40 minutes before washing it off.
How often should you do this
You must do this at least once per day.
3. Aloe vera gel
You will need
aloe vera gel (as needed)
you need to do
Take a little aloe vera gel and apply it directly on the affected area.
Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes.
Wash it with water and dry your skin.
How Often You Should Do This
You should do this two to three times daily.
aloe vera? An ancient remedy for treating many skin conditions and infections. It contains botanical ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, helping to relieve itching.
You will need a baking soda bath
1 cup of baking soda
Water
You have to do
Add a cup of baking soda to a basin full of water.
Soak in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.
Why does this work
The alkaline nature of baking soda helps restore your skin’s pH. This helps reduce itching associated with pregnancy.
Essential oils
Rose oil
you will need
12 drops of rose oil
30 ml of coconut oil
You have to do
Add 12 drops of rose oil to 30ml of coconut oil.
Mix well and apply to affected areas.
Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
You should do it 1 to 2 times per day.
Why does this work?
Essential oil is beneficial for treating itchy skin due to its anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties.
B. Juniper oil
you will need
12 drops of juniper oil
30 ml of coconut oil
You have to do
Add 12 drops of juniper oil to 30ml of coconut oil.
Apply this mixture to the itchy areas.
Leave it on for 30 to 60 minutes, then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times per day.
Why does this work The
powerful anti-inflammatory properties of juniper oil not only relieve itching, but also reduce inflammation and swelling .
Cold compress
You will need
a cold compress
what you need to do
Apply a cold compress to itchy areas.
Leave it on for 5 minutes and repeat the process 3 times after every few minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this three times daily.
Why it works
The cooling and anesthetic effect of the cold compress reduces swelling and provides instant itch relief
7. Lemon juice
you will need
1 lemon
Half a cup of water
Cotton pads
You have to do
Squeeze a lemon and mix the juice with a quarter cup of water.
Soak a cotton ball in this solution and apply it gently to the affected areas
Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off.
How Often Should You Do This ?
Should you do this once every alternate day.
Why does this work?
Lemon juice contains citric and ascorbic acids (vitamin C) . The strong acidic nature of lemon restores the pH of your skin. This, in turn, reduces itching and inflammation of the skin .
You will need dandelion root
1-2 tablespoons of dandelion root
1 cup of water
Cotton pads
You have to do
Add one or two tablespoons of dandelion root to a cup of water.
Bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer for 5 minutes and drain.
Allow the solution to cool slightly before soaking a cotton ball in it.
Apply it to affected areas and let it dry.
How Often You Should Do This
You should do this two to three times daily.
Why this works
dandelion root is alkaline. It can help calm inflammation and itching by restoring the lost pH of your skin. The carotenoids in dandelion root also promote healthy skin
9. Gram flour dough
Will need
1 tablespoon gram flour
Yogurt (as needed)
You have to do
Add a little yogurt to a tablespoon of chickpea flour.
Mix well to form a paste of medium consistency.
Apply it to the affected areas. Leave it to dry.
After 30 minutes, wash it off with water
Juniper Berry Lotion (as needed)
- What you need to do
- Apply juniper berry lotion to affected areas.
- How Often You Should Do This
- Do this 1 to 2 times daily until you notice improvement in your condition.
- Why it works
- Juniper berries have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve itching.
- What you need to do
- Take some calamine lotion in the palm of your hand and apply it evenly on the itchy areas.
- How Often You Should Do This
You must do this at least twice daily for best results.
Why does this work?
Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide and ferric oxide, which have antipruritic and antiseptic properties.
The product prevents you from scratching yourself and prevents the appearance of scars .
Most of the treatments mentioned here treat as well as prevent the itching from recurring in other stages of pregnancy.
Here are some tips to help these treatments work better.
Preventive advice
Keep your skin well-hydrated, especially if you have dry skin.
Use unscented soaps and lotions, as these may worsen the condition.
Avoid hot baths or showers because they dry out your skin, causing it to itch even more.
Rinse yourself well with water after every shower to get rid of any traces of soap or shampoo.
Use a soft towel to dry yourself off.
Wear loose, lightweight clothing.
Use a mild detergent to wash your clothes.
drink a lot of water.
Do not wear wet clothes or swimwear for a long time as it promotes the growth of fungi.
Avoid being in an air-conditioned room for a long time as it tends to dry out the skin.
The combination of the above mentioned remedies and tips will help relieve your pregnancy itch.
Do you know any other treatments that have given you instant relief from the constant itch? Share it with us via the comment box below.