Women experience a number of changes to their bodies during pregnancy. Many of those changes are less than pleasant. For example, developing eczema during pregnancy (also referred to as atopic eruption of pregnancy) is not uncommon. While not dangerous, it can be extremely uncomfortable and knowing how to treat eczema while pregnant can be difficult.
Here are ten facts about eczema and pregnancy to help you understand what is happening to your body and how best to cope.
1. Can Pregnancy Trigger Eczema?
It is actually not known whether pregnancy itself can cause eczema or if pregnancy makes eczema worse. Some women experience eczema for the first time during pregnancy, others experience a flare-up and for some women, their eczema improves during pregnancy.
2. Eczema Tends to Run in Families
If you experience eczema during pregnancy, there is a good chance that you or someone in your family has a history of other allergy-related conditions. These include hay-fever, asthma, or other skin conditions.
3. There is No Danger to the Mother or Baby
The good news about pregnancy eczema is there is no evidence that eczema will cause any harm to either you or your child. It has not been linked to miscarriages, defects, or premature births. However, you should be cautious about using any medications to treat eczema while pregnant.
Always consult with your doctor before using any topical steroids, which are commonly prescribed to treat eczema.
4. Does Pregnancy Eczema Go Away?
In most cases (although not all) your eczema should calm down post pregnancy. Unfortunately, developing eczema during pregnancy could also mean you have an increased chance of developing it in future pregnancies.
5. Eczema is Not Contagious
While it tends to run in families, contact with the rash will not make it spread to others. This is true even in cases where scratching may have caused weeping of the rash.
6. Scratching Makes it Worse
Eczema is often referred to as “the itch that rashes.” In many cases, your skin will itch first, before any signs of a rash. The scratching brings out the rash, and also makes it worse.
7. A Dry Climate Can Increase Your Discomfort
Avoiding conditions that aggravate the inflammation of your skin helps keep eczema under control. If you live where it is very dry, use a humidifier in your home. The same is true during cold months, as heaters are very drying to the air.
8. Stay Cool as Much as Possible
Following on the last point, it is important to avoid getting hot and sweaty. Loose, cotton clothes are much more breathable and better than synthetic fabrics or wool. You should also stay away from steam rooms, saunas, and hot yoga.
9. Be Careful When Using Soap
One of the key strategies when dealing with eczema is to avoid putting anything on your skin that can dry it out. Many soaps, especially deodorant soaps, can be very drying to the skin.
10. Eczema and Pregnancy Natural Remedies
It is a good idea to try natural remedies when treating eczema while pregnant. A product such as Hope’s Relief Premium Eczema Cream treats the rash with all natural ingredients. In many cases, you can avoid the risk (although low) that comes from steroidal creams or other prescription medications.
Feel free to contact us for more information about how we can help you with your sensitive skin problems.
