Itchy skin at 35 weeks pregnant: what to know

Skin stretching over the abdomen, dryness, heat, and irritation from soaps or fabrics can cause local itching. A visible patch, raised welts, scaling, or small bumps may point toward a skin condition such as eczema, contact dermatitis, or hives. Atopic dermatitis commonly presents with itchy, inflamed skin.

Intense itching with little or no primary rash can occur with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver disorder that requires blood tests and maternity follow-up. Scratches caused by rubbing do not count as the original rash. The location, nighttime pattern, urine or stool changes, and whether anyone else at home is itchy help distinguish possible causes.

Contact your maternity team promptly if the itch is new, widespread, persistent, or strongest on your hands and feet. Until assessed, use lukewarm showers, apply an unperfumed moisturiser, wear loose cotton clothing, keep the room cool, and press or pat rather than scratch. Stop any newly introduced fragranced product that seems to irritate the skin.

Check with a pharmacist, midwife, or doctor before starting an antihistamine, medicated cream, herbal product, or supplement during pregnancy. Take note of where the itch began, whether a rash appeared first, and what makes it worse; this gives the clinician useful detail.

Call your maternity unit urgently for reduced or changed fetal movement, yellowing of the skin or eyes, very dark urine, pale stools, or severe itching of the palms or soles. Seek emergency help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, faintness, or a rapidly spreading blistering rash. Fever, painful skin, pus, or rapidly increasing redness also warrants prompt medical review.

Ask whether your symptoms call for liver-function and bile-acid blood tests, whether repeat testing is appropriate if itching continues, and which moisturisers or medicines are suitable in pregnancy. Also clarify whom to contact if the itch intensifies or fetal movement changes.