Are you pregnant and can’t stop scratching?

Itchiness during pregnancy is one of those annoying symptoms which can get worse towards the third trimester. This is because as the skin expands and blood supply increases, your skin gets a little inflamed and itchy as a result.

The good news is, this is a fairly common condition and most pregnant women experience some form of itchiness, especially around the breasts, stomach, upper arms, and thighs.

What can I do to stop itching? These tried-and-tested remedies might work for you:  

• Try adding some baby oil to your bathwater.
• Keep your skin moisturised all the time and try not to wear tight clothes as this can made the itching worse.
• Rub your whole body with Milking Balm (Melksalf) twice a day (available at Dis-chem. It’s rich in Vitamin E and also prevents stretch marks. So it’s a win-win…
• You can also take calendula tablets and the tissue salt Nat Mur, three times daily, as this has been found to provide some relief. Calendula cream is also a great option. Just always check with your doctor before taking any new medication, even if it’s homeopathic remedies.
• A great natural remedy is to add a potful of rooibos tea or a handful of bicarbonate of soda to your bathwater and powder yourself with a light layer of cornflour on the itchy areas.
• Sometimes, itching can be caused by a change in the products you usually use or the type of washing powder you use to wash your clothes. Use a process of elimination to see if your symptoms get worse or improve. Remember to only eliminate one product at a time so you know which one is causing the problem.

Should I worry about the itching? If you feel ill, nauseous, or you experience bad swelling, you must see your doctor for immediate treatment. Experts warn that itchiness during pregnancy could also be linked to a rare liver condition known as obstetric cholestasis (OC). This occurs when the natural flow of bile in the body is disrupted. This can cause a build-up of bile in the body which could cause severe itching – from the inside out.