Itchy skin is common in pregnancy. It is generally caused by your skin stretching as your abdomen and breasts get bigger. Hot weather often makes itching worse.

Intense itching and burning around your vagina may be due to thrush. Itching around your back passage could be caused by haemorrhoids (piles).

Various short-lived rashes are also common in pregnancy.

The skin is much more active in pregnancy. Blood flow is increased, and you may sweat more. Many pregnant women suffer from sweat rashes, especially under their breasts, in their groin, or in other skin folds.

Occasionally a rash may be due to a fungal infection, thriving in warm, moist skin folds.

Sometimes more generalised rashes may occur, for no apparent reason. Some of these may be related to immunological changes caused by pregnancy.

Other rashes may be caused by sensitivity to foods or beauty products. These rashes usually fade quickly once the cause is identified and removed.

What can I do about it?

• Wear loose cotton clothing. Tight lycra has a lot to answer for!
• Itching may be soothed by dissolving a cup of bicarbonate of soda in your bathwater.
• Try dabbing calamine lotion onto itchy skin - especially soothing if you keep the bottle in the fridge.

• A few drops of lavender oil (in the last three months of pregnancy) and/or tea tree oil in your bath may also offer relief from itching, whether or not there is a rash. Tea tree oil has proven medicinal benefits; consult packaging and enclosed literature to find out more. If in any doubt, ask your pharmacist or a qualified aromatherapist.
• Treat sweat rashes by washing frequently in cool water, and sprinkling on non-perfumed talcum powder. Your pharmacist may be able to suggest other safe treatments.

• If a rash does not improve with these simple measures, consult your doctor. Specific anti-fungal or other treatments may be appropriate. Alternatively, she or he may prescribe antihistamine cream or tablets.

Itching alert

If you experience severe itching which occurs on your arms, legs and feet as well as on your body, consult your doctor. It could be a symptom of a rare liver disease called obstetric cholestasis. Other symptoms of the disease may include loss of appetite and generally feeling unwell.

Left untreated the disease may cause preterm birth or (more rarely) stillbirth. If obstetric cholestasis is diagnosed, you will be given drugs to control the condition. You and your baby will be closely watched, and your doctor will probably recommend that your baby is delivered early.

More information about obstetric cholestasis is available from the British Liver Trust. Visit their website at http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk

Rash alert

If a rash lasts longer than two days, and/or you feel unwell, consult your doctor. Many common infectious diseases start with a rash and you may need special treatment because you are pregnant.

Revised by babyworld midwife, Hannah Hulme Hunter November 2000.