pregnancy - itchy skin driving me crazy

[choc44]

Hi... first post ever. I've been lurking but I'm jumping in in the hope of rcving some good advice.

I'm 14 wks preg and being driven mad by itchy skin, particularly on my legs, arms and back.
I have never suffered with this before, and when I look, there are absolutely no spots, rashes etc in the area's.
I think I read that skin gets drier in preg, and did read organic olive oil is good for all over the body, but it doesn't seem to be making any difference. I ma a bit cautious about putting non-natural stuff on my skin at this time.
What I'd like to know is whether this is a symptom of preg or do I have a completely unconnected problem? (Feel a bit silly going to Docs with itchy skin)
And does anyone have a wonderfully soothing recommendation of what I can slather all over myself?

Many thanks...

Hey,
I would go check it out with your doc anyway, jus to put ur mind at rest. He may be able to prescribe an emoillient like epaderm or cetraben, used for eczma sufferers.

Good luck n take care.

yes, pregnancy itching is a relatively common symptom. I think it's down to hormone changes. i asked a friend who is a nurse about it (had it on my inner thighs in the WORST way) and she said "oh yes, there's a perfectly good cure for pregnancy itching.....scratch until you bleed".

Sorry not to be any more help. perhaps things have moved on since then.

It can have a few causes - I had an allergic reaction to my son's male hormones that brought me out in the kind of itching you describe. Itching can be a symptom of a pg-related liver condition so definitely get your GP's advice. It could be just that your skin is stretching and that is causing the itching.

The best thing when it gets really bad is an oatmeal bath (stuff the foot of an old pair of tights with porridge oats and run under a warm tap. Immerse yourself for ten mins or so. I used to keep the bath full of the cool oat water overnight and jump in at 3am when it was driving me really crazy)

Thanks... I'll try the porridge bath and then see the doc if it persists.

Please talk to your doctor about this, I had constant itching (I'm also an eczema sufferer) during my last pregnancy and was diagnosed with obstrectric cholestasis. I used to itch all over and all the time, even to the point of wanting to scratch the soles of my feet and the palms of my hands on bare bricks because the itch was so intent. You may just have normal pregnancy itching but pleasse speak to your GP just in case.