Whole-body itching at night during pregnancy

Pregnancy can make skin drier, more sensitive, and more easily irritated by heat, sweat, fabrics, soaps, or detergents. Eczema, hives, contact dermatitis, and scabies remain possible, and scratching can make a mild rash look more extensive. Night-time warmth and fewer distractions can make any itch feel stronger.

A pregnancy-related liver condition can cause marked itching without a rash, often on the palms and soles but sometimes more widely. It may be worse at night. Itching alone cannot confirm this condition, and a maternity clinician may need to check symptoms and arrange liver-function and bile-acid testing.

Keep the bedroom cool, wear loose cotton layers, take short lukewarm showers, and apply an unperfumed moisturiser after washing. A cool cloth can calm a flare; keep nails short to reduce skin damage. Avoid starting oral medicines, herbal products, or medicated creams without checking their pregnancy suitability with a clinician or pharmacist.

Record when the itch began, whether it is strongest at night, where it is located, and whether a rash, pale stool, dark urine, or yellowing has appeared. Mention any new medicine or personal-care product at your appointment.

Contact your maternity team promptly for new or intense itching, itching that keeps you awake, or itch on the palms and soles, even when the skin looks normal. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, blistering, severe abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, or reduced fetal movement. Follow the maternity team’s advice about testing and follow-up.

Ask: Could this be a pregnancy-related liver problem? Do I need bile-acid or liver testing, and when should it be repeated? Which moisturiser or anti-itch medicine is suitable at my stage of pregnancy? Could a rash, medicine, or household exposure explain it?