Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy Itching is common in pregnancy. Page last reviewed: 2 August 2019 Reg Company No: 2370573. Some women experience a very severe itching in late pregnancy. Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700. Pregnancy: More than 1 in 10 pregnant women say itching is a problem. Itchy skin is an uncomfortable, irritating sensation that makes you want to scratch. Pregnant women can be given a drug called ursodiol, which may help ease itching and stabilize bile acid levels in the blood. Cholestasis of pregnancy causes extreme itchiness on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This is because ICP can affect your absorption of vitamin K, which is important for healthy blood clotting. Normally, bile acids flow from your liver to your gut to help you digest food. (2010) Pruritus in pregnancy: a study of anatomical distribution and prevalence in relation to the development of obstetric cholestasis. You may also be offered a vitamin K supplement. Find out more about other pregnancy symptoms that you can expect or look out for along the way here. Pregnancy. Severe itching: I am in my 33rd week and in the past 3days have been experiencing severe itching all over my body during the night.i had a terrible time scratching myself all over in the night.my gynac advised me to take udiliv 300mg twice daily 4a week.though the itching has reduced considerably but im worried about the effect it may have on the baby.Can anybody help? Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg43/ [Accessed 1st March 2018]. Pregnancy complications. Next review due: 2 August 2022, information about ICP from the British Liver Trust, High blood pressure (hypertension) and pregnancy, more noticeable on the hands and feet, but can be all over the body, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (, mild or distressing, possibly worse at night, anywhere on your body, but may be worse on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. You may feel especially itchy around your belly and breasts as your skin … Usually none unless:: While itchy skin comes with the pregnancy territory, if you have severe itching -- particularly on your hands and feet -- late in pregnancy that’s acc ... Read More 0 Usually none unless:: While itchy skin comes with the pregnancy territory, if you have severe itching -- particularly on your hands and feet -- late in pregnancy that’s acc ... Read More 0 Some studies have found that babies whose mothers have ICP have a higher chance of being born prematurely or stillborn. Creams, such as aqueous cream with menthol, are safe to use in pregnancy and can provide some relief from itching. Obstetric cholestasis is the main cause of itch without a rash in pregnancy. If you usually get eczema, it can get worse while you’re pregnant (Ambros-Rudolph, 2011; NHS Choices, 2016b). While friends and family may not take itching as a symptom seriously, a severe itch can be more than irritating. Severe itching can lead to poor sleep, exhaustion and can really get you down (Rungsiprakarn, et al, 2016). You can also watch their video about ICP featuring mums and clinical experts. Itching During Pregnancy: Reasons. Read more about our editorial review process. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/ [Accessed 1st March 2018]. If you are diagnosed with ICP, you will have regular liver function tests so your doctor can monitor your condition. ? Your hormones changing can also make the itch worse (British Association of Dermatologists, 2018). Menu It affects 1 in 140 pregnant women in the UK. Ann Dermatol. In severe cases it may need further investigation. When it comes to content, our aim is simple: every parent should have access to information they can trust. ICP is diagnosed by excluding other causes of the itch. Sign up to our weekly Pregnancy & Baby Guide, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21909194, http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=227&itemtype=document, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27582836, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/causes/, https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg43/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26891962, Birth and Beyond Community Support Programme (BBCS). I agree to NCT contacting me in the following ways: By submitting this form you are agreeing to our website's general Terms and Conditions of use. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Causes of itching in pregnancy: 1. A number of skin conditions can develop during pregnancy and cause itchy skin. UDCA is considered safe to take in pregnancy, although it is prescribed on what is known as an "informed consent" basis as it has not been properly tested in pregnancy. Make sure you avoid any strongly perfumed products as they can make your itch worse (NHS Choices, 2016c). Is it normal to have itching during pregnancy? There is no rash. These are "breathable" and allow the air to circulate close to your skin. Kenyon AP, Tribe RM, Nelson-Piercy C, Girling JC, Williamson C, Seed PT, Vaughan-Jones S, Shennan AH. But if you’re notice itching more during the evening or at night, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. (2011) Dermatoses of pregnancy - clues to diagnosis, fetal risk and therapy. Itchy legs can be caused by various reasons. Later, as your bump grows, the skin of your tummy (abdomen) is stretched and this may also feel itchy. All of our articles have been thoroughly researched and are based on the latest evidence from reputable and robust sources. Most experts on ICP only prescribe vitamin K if the mother-to-be reports pale stools, has a known blood clotting problem, or has very severe ICP from early in pregnancy. That’s why you’ll find you have dry and itchy skin that’s often worse on your tummy and legs (Kenyon et al, 2010; NHS Choices, 2016a). However, itching can be a symptom of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC). There are some causes of itching in pregnancy which are specific to pregnancy alone: 1. Calling us costs the same as any local call, however, if you have free 'inclusive' minutes on a landline or mobile, it will be included in those. Obstetric cholestasis affects 1 in 140 women pregnant women in the UK and it needs medical attention (NHS Choices, 2016c). It's also common – about 20 percent of pregnant women have itchy skin. Whats up you guys. We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby. Also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), toxemia of pregnancy, or prurigo of pregnancy. Mild itching is not usually harmful to you or your baby. The charity ICP Support provides information about ICP. That super-irritating itch is caused by your skin stretching. It is more common in women of south Asian origin, affecting around 1 in 70 to 80 pregnancies. (2018) Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. It's common in older adults, as skin tends to become drier with age.Depending on the cause of your itchy skin, it may appear normal, red, rough or bumpy. RCOG. We would like to keep in touch with you about our services, support, events, campaigns, and fundraising. Intense itching is the main symptom of cholestasis of pregnancy. There's no cure for ICP, but it should go once you've had your baby. Obstetric cholestasis is often different to a normal itch as it … These readings help doctors recommend when your baby should be born. You may find having a cool bath or applying lotion or moisturiser can help soothe the itching. Ambros-Rudolph CM. Severe itching without a rash during pregnancy can be a symptom of cholestasis – though confusingly, some women with cholestasis do develop a rash. The itching is the main symptom and it is likely to be very severe. This page was last reviewed in April 2018. Make sure you talk to your midwife or doctor about this as they can decide whether you need any further investigations (NHS Choices, 2016c). For me, the real nightmare was, having had an anxious pregnancy, having just started to relax a little, to be told something could go wrong, that I could lose my child was terrifying. (2):CD011351. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26891962 [Accessed 1st March 2018]. The itching was an irritation more than anything, it mostly happened at night and I wasn’t sleeping that well anyway. You could also try having cool baths and applying moisturiser or lotion to help soothe the itching. (2016c) Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. This condition will cause severe itching, which usually stays up till the delivery. Itchy Skin in Second Trimester. ‘It seemed to be deep under my skin,’ she recalls. They will advise you what to do. If you have had ICP in a previous pregnancy, you have a high chance of developing it again in another pregnancy. In ICP, the bile acids don't flow properly and build up in your body instead. Severe itching during pregnancy: Obstetric cholestasis. NHS. Severe skin itching commonly seen in the second trimester of pregnancy is due to ICP or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.It is a condition whereby liver does not flow normally and smoothly in tiny ducts of your liver. Usually it's thought to be caused by raised levels of certain chemicals in the blood, such as hormones. The most common cause of this is cholestasis, a common liver disease that only happens in pregnancy. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/causes/ [Accessed 1st March 2018]. If you get symptoms of coronavirus, or you're unwell with something other than coronavirus, speak to your midwife or maternity team. We create our articles with NCT antenatal teachers, postnatal leaders and breastfeeding counsellors, as well as academics and representatives from relevant organisations and charities. The reasons range from harmless rashes to more serious conditions. Obstetric cholestasis can also cause your wee to be dark and your poo to be pale (RCOG, 2011). If your itching is mild and occurs during the early to mid-stages of your pregnancy, chances are it’s safe and healthy. Itching, with or without a rash, is a common symptom during pregnancy. 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