Is it normal to get eczema when pregnant

Available both over the counter and by prescription, it can reduce itching, redness, and swelling of…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M. Keep reading to learn more about this condition.

What are the symptoms of eczema? Who gets eczema during pregnancy? What causes eczema? Diagnosis of eczema during pregnancy. How is eczema treated during pregnancy? You can also take steps to help prevent eczema or stop it from getting worse: Take warm, moderate showers instead of hot showers. Keep your skin hydrated with moisturizers.

Apply moisturizer directly after you shower. Choose clothing made from natural products, like cotton. Wool and hemp clothing may cause additional irritation to your skin.

Avoid harsh soaps or body cleaners. If you live in a dry climate, consider using a humidifier in your home. Heaters can also dry out the air in your home. Drink water throughout the day. Parenthood Pregnancy Pregnancy Health. Read this next. Understanding Asteatotic Eczema. Medically reviewed by Sara Perkins, MD. For example, pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy PUPPP is another common pregnancy rash. The itchy, red patches tend to first appear toward the end of pregnancy around stretch marks, though they can spread to the arms, legs, and butt, according to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

And about 75 percent of the time, pregnancy eczema occurs during the first and second trimesters, according to the BMJ research. And while they may have been safe to use before, that may no longer be the case during your pregnancy. The BMJ study notes that pregnant women should avoid some eczema treatment options, such as methotrexate and phototherapy psoralens plus ultraviolet A.

Even if you currently take medication to help with eczema and are not pregnant yet, but plan to become pregnant in the near future, share your plans with your doctor. There may be a minimum amount of time that needs to pass between stopping treatment and becoming pregnant safely, notes the National Eczema Society. The Mayo Clinic also suggests :. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Kim made several visits to an urgent care facility, where she received corticosteroid shots. These provided relief, but when their effects wore off, her eczema returned with a vengeance. Topical steroids help her stay afloat while she considers other options, such as immunosuppressants. The year-old from London gave birth to a baby boy a little more than a year ago. I also developed a staph infection and a bad case of hives.

He often prescribes phototherapy for his pregnant patients with eczema, insisting that they also take folic acid, an important nutrient that can easily become depleted by light treatment. According to Murase, topical steroids are safe to use during pregnancy, especially at low-to-medium potency levels. To stay on the safe side, Murase suggests diluting a topical steroid with moisturizer to achieve a ratio of four parts moisturizer to one part steroid.

Both Lio and Murase stressed the importance of keeping eczema under control during pregnancy. A sleep-deprived mother offers a less-than-favorable environment for her unborn child, and the negative effects of maternal stress on the developing fetus have been well documented, Murase said.

Having a healthy pregnancy is within reach, even when eczema is on the warpath. During pregnancy and after childbirth, a woman needs to be well-nourished, well-rested and as free from stress as possible. Excellent self-care, the doctors agreed, is the greatest gift a woman can give herself and her newborn.

A year-old from Houston, Texas, Cast had eczema as a teenager, but it went away—until two years ago, when it came back full-tilt. During adolescence, she had painful outbreaks of eczema between her fingers and in the crooks of her elbows. Now, it attacks different places—mainly, her palms and forearms.