Tingling & Itching Skin During Pregnancy

Tingling and numbness of the fingers and a feeling of swelling in the hands are common during pregnancy. These symptoms are due to swelling of tissues in the narrow passages in your wrists, and they should disappear after delivery.

About 20 percent of pregnant women feel itchy during pregnancy. Usually women feel itchy in the abdomen due to the stretching of the surrounding skin to make room for the baby. This stretching can also be the cause of unwanted stretch marks. But red, itchy palms and soles of the feet are also common complaints. Pregnancy hormones, especially elevated estrogen levels, and stretching skin are probably to blame for most of your discomfort. Usually the itchy feeling goes away after delivery.

Additionally, for some pregnant women who already had such dry skin conditions such as eczema, such conditions may get worse during their pregnancy. Speak to your doctor about whether you can continue to use any medications that you are using to control these skin conditions.

In the meantime, try these tips to make the tingling or itchiness go away:

• Use thick moisturizing creams instead of lotions on your skin.
• Use gentle soaps.
• Avoid hot showers or baths that can dry your skin.
• Avoid itchy fabrics and clothes.
• Try not to get over-heated. Heat can make the itching worse.

Rarely, itchiness can be a sign of a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy. If you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue with itchiness, call your doctor. Cholestasis of pregnancy is a serious liver problem.