What should you know about night time itching pregnancy?

Dryness, stretching skin and heat can make itching worse at night. Atopic Dermatitis may cause itchy, inflamed patches, while Scabies can cause intense night itching and may affect close contacts. Head Lice usually causes scalp-focused itching and visible nits. Itching without an obvious rash, especially on the palms or soles, can be a sign of a pregnancy-related liver disorder and should not be self-diagnosed. The timing, distribution, rash and other symptoms guide the assessment.

Contact your maternity team or clinician promptly to report new or persistent itching. Until you receive advice, keep the room cool, wear loose cotton clothing, use an unfragranced moisturizer after bathing and take short lukewarm showers. Keep nails short and press or cool the area instead of scratching. Do not start oral medicines, medicated creams or essential oils without checking that they are suitable during pregnancy. If scabies is suspected, ask about Scabies Treatment and household contact management.

Seek urgent maternity advice for severe or rapidly worsening itch, itch without a rash, or itching on the palms and soles. Contact care promptly if it occurs with yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, vomiting or reduced fetal movement. A spreading rash with fever, facial swelling or breathing difficulty needs urgent assessment. These warning signs matter even when the itch is the only symptom you noticed at first.

Does my distribution and rash suggest Atopic Dermatitis, Scabies or another cause? Do I need blood tests for a pregnancy-related liver problem? Which moisturizer or medicine is safe at my stage of pregnancy? Should anyone I live with be assessed?