Pregnancy Pruritus: Why Is It So Hard?
I've summarized everything from the causes of itching to management methods.
What is Pregnancy Pruritus?
Pregnancy pruritus refers to severe itching that occurs during pregnancy. It often appears around the 5th or 6th month, but it can also occur in the late stages or after childbirth.
Especially during pregnancy, many women endure it alone, thinking:
- "I'm pregnant, so should I just bear it?"
- "Is it bad to take medicine or apply creams?"
However, pregnancy pruritus can often be sufficiently alleviated through treatment and management. You don't have to just endure it.
Why Does Itching Worsen During Pregnancy?
There are various explanations online:
- Skin stretching
- Bile stagnation due to bile duct compression
- Weakened immunity
- Lack of moisturization
In Korean medicine, while these are skin symptoms, the cause is viewed as an internal balance issue. Health is a state that is neither deficient nor excessive. Pregnancy pruritus can be divided into 'Deficient' and 'Excess' cases.
Key Symptoms
- Scratching every night
- Itching feeling up to the head
- Redness appearing on the skin
- Itchy even without scratching
- Moisturizers don't provide a fundamental solution
Unlike simple dry skin, it feels like it's rising from within the body. Breaking down of sleep is particularly difficult. Itching is painful, but lack of sleep increases stress, creating a vicious cycle that stimulates more itching.
Self-Check Checklist
- ✔ Sudden severe itching during pregnancy
- ✔ Worse at night
- ✔ Not resolved by skin moisturization
- ✔ Digestion is weaker than before
- ✔ High stress levels
- ✔ Feeling of heat rising to the upper body
If several items apply, you need to check your internal body balance.
Dalimchae's Special Approach
For pregnancy pruritus, it's important to understand the body's condition first, not just the skin. We distinguish between 'Deficient' and 'Excess' through pulse, tongue, and abdominal examination.
1. Deficient Case (Heo)
As the baby grows, the mother's blood is consumed significantly. If there isn't enough blood to supply the skin, the skin becomes sensitive and itchy. In this case, we focus on replenishing blood. Korean Angelica root tea can be helpful. Nutritious meals are fundamental.
2. Excess Case (Sil)
This is when heat and waste products are stagnant in the body. Often, digestive function is weak, the lower abdomen is cold, and heat is concentrated in the chest. Internal heat rises due to pregnancy and erupts through the skin. In this case, herbs that clear heat are helpful, such as Siler root tea.
Skin Soothing Methods
If internal medicine is difficult, there are topical methods:
- Aloe
- Dictamni Radicis Cortex (Baekseonpi)
- Gardenia (Chija)
Soothing ingredients like these help. Natural herbal mists without steroids can be very beneficial.
Importance of Digestive Management
Pregnancy pruritus is closely related to the digestive system.
Avoid: Spicy/greasy food, wheat flour, cold food, raw food.
These stress the digestive system. Focus on light Korean meals, plant-based proteins, and cooked vegetables.
Pre-pregnancy Preparation
Those who have experienced it once may worry about the next pregnancy. Improving constitution and organizing body condition in advance can be helpful.
In Closing
Pregnancy pruritus is not just a skin problem. It's a signal of a broken balance during the process of supplying blood to the fetus. Don't think you must only endure it. Focus on restoring balance. Even a little management can lead to a much more comfortable pregnancy.
Where life blooms. For herbal medicine, trust Dalimchae.
This article was compiled by Dalimchae's medical team based on questions frequently received in the consultation room. Medical Review | Pregnancy & Postpartum Specialist, Dalimchae Songdo Branch, Dr. Kwon Ha-young