Contents:
- Medical Video: Demystifying Medicine 2014 - Itching (pruritus): Mechanisms, Diseases, and Treatment
- How do you deal with itching during pregnancy due to prurigo?
Medical Video: Demystifying Medicine 2014 - Itching (pruritus): Mechanisms, Diseases, and Treatment
Have you ever felt itchy during pregnancy, causing red bumps like being bitten by an insect? Maybe you have prurigo. Prurigo is a condition of the appearance of pimples in several parts of the body and feels very itchy.
This can happen to pregnant women who are experiencing hormonal changes and the immune system. In fact, one in 300 mothers experience itching during pregnancy due to prurigo. Prurigo can occur for months and may even continue after you give birth. So, how do you deal with prurigo's itching during pregnancy?
How do you deal with itching during pregnancy due to prurigo?
Itching during pregnancy caused by prurigo will greatly disrupt and inhibit your activities. To overcome this, there are several natural ways you can do to help relieve the symptoms of prurigo during pregnancy.
- If itching appears, don't scratch it. Scratching will only irritate the skin and eventually itch. Compress the itchy area with ice cubes or cold water.
- Wear loose clothes. Tight clothing will aggravate the itching sensation because it traps sweat so it can cause skin irritation due to friction with the clothing material.
- Avoid clothing made from synthetic materials. Synthetic materials such as polyester or rayon do not absorb sweat. Use clothes made of cotton that are cool and absorb sweat.
- Cold shower. A warm bath will make your skin drier, so you will more easily itch.
- Avoid going out when the weather is hot. Heat from sunlight can make your skin drier. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can also trigger a rash on dry skin.
- Apply calamine lotion or regular (unscented) skin moisturizer several times a day to reduce itching. Avoid moisturizing products that contain urea, essential oils, salicylic acid, or retinoids. Consult your doctor before using it.
If the methods above are not effective, you should immediately consult a doctor. Doctors generally will administer topical steroid drugs such as ointments, creams or gels or antihistamine drugs taken to relieve itching during pregnancy due to prurigo. Your doctor may also prescribe ciclosporin to increase your immunity.
