Overview
Eczema during pregnancy is more likely to occur in first pregnancy and in women who are obese. Eczema, patches of rash, rough texture or discoloration form on skin. When pregnant, a woman’s immune system may not react appropriately to the proteins in certain foods, irritants, or allergens. Eczema may start in the third or fourth month of pregnancy and last until the end of the pregnancy.
Why does Eczema occur?
During pregnancy, the immune system becomes more active. This causes the immune system to over-respond to the normal, everyday foods and other substances that are present in the body.
There is one other weird reason why pregnant women can develop eczema – the immune system goes into overdrive. If you’re sick, this might not bother you because your immune system is working. If you’re pregnant, your immune system is on overdrive, making your whole body not nice to be around. This is true even if you don’t have any other illnesses.
Symptoms of Eczema
The skin may look dry or cracked and may have a foul smell. Women may experience swelling or itching in the calves, thighs, and buttocks. Some women may also develop dark spots on their skin that begin to feel hot and sore. Some women may also notice their hair or nails starting to thin or break. Pregnancy-induced eczema may show up during or shortly after the first trimester, when the skin is softer.
Dry Skin
At this point, the skin is less able to keep itself clean and dry, leading to an increased risk of itching.
Other pregnancy-related symptoms can include:
Vaginal Odor
- A new vaginal odor or discharge
- a swollen lower belly
- frequent urination
- pain during sexual intercourse
- drowsiness during pregnancy
Women may also experience night sweats and mood swings during their pregnancy might feel stress or anxiety, which could trigger a flare-up.
When stress does cause an eczema flare-up, it’s usually mild and short-lived.
Some More Symptoms
The main symptoms of eczema during pregnancy include: a patch of red itchy skin, an itchy rash that doesn’t fade, or an infection on the skin, red skin on the palms or soles, itchy dry skin red skin and bumps.
What Causes Eczema?
The immune system may mistakenly attack healthy cells called keratinocytes, which are found in the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. There may also be a sensitivity to certain chemical compounds found in products, such as detergents, cosmetics, dyes, and fragrances. Some medications used to treat a number of conditions, including certain anti-inflammatories, are also thought to increase the risk of eczema.
Cure for eczema
Stay out of direct sunlight, use a sunscreen and moisturizer, and keep the humidity in the air as low as possible.
Also, try not to scratch because of the itching. It’s possible you might have an autoimmune disease called psoriasis, which has similar symptoms to eczema, so you may want to look into getting tested. The thought that there is a connection between baby and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) may seem unlikely, but it’s true. Irritable bowel syndrome is a bit like eczema for your gut – it’s extremely common, and can cause nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.
AEP – Atopic Eruption Of Pregnancy
Atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP) is the commonest reason that a pregnant woman visits the doctor or the hospital. The symptoms are usually presented during the first trimester, and include coughing, wheezing, nose blowing, a dry, sore and scratchy throat, and conjunctivitis (red, itchy and watery eyes). Most women experiencing AEP do not experience any symptoms during the second and third trimesters, although the disease can last for up to two years after delivery.
Who is More Prone To Eczema During Pregnancy?
If you’ve never had eczema, your pregnancy might bring up bad memories of an intense flare-up you’ve had in the past. It’s also possible that your pregnancy could bring up symptoms of eczema you haven’t experienced since you were a child. In any case, ask your doctor if you have any symptoms that indicate a flare-up of eczema. Possible Symptoms of Eczema During Pregnancy Eczema can flare during pregnancy because it’s a condition that’s sensitive to stress.
Is eczema contagious?
While eczema is considered to be a skin condition, some people can also experience asthma or hay fever if their allergens come into contact with their skin. Experts aren’t sure if eczema is contagious, but it’s possible that eczema could be transmitted during intimate sexual contact.
Eczema treatment
A number of treatments may be used to treat eczema, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, moisturizers, and certain skin care products. In mild cases, a doctor may recommend using ointments or topical medications to control inflammation and irritation, as well as using moisturizers that are rich in emollients.
In more severe cases, other skin care treatments include using acid-based hand cleansers, hydrocortisone ointments, and steroid creams. Doctors may use various types of medication to help ease symptoms of eczema, such as steroid creams or creams with antihistamines.
To help ease itch and discomfort, a doctor may also recommend prescribing oral antihistamines and steroids. A doctor can also provide a written treatment plan, which can include the type of medications to use and the frequency of treatment to avoid flare-ups.
Preventing eczema
Eczema can be treated and prevented using a number of methods. A doctor can help advise on the best ways to keep eczema at bay. When it comes to preventing eczema, there is not much evidence to suggest how much can be done.
However, there are some ways to lessen the risk of developing it. They include, keeping hands clean avoiding contamination with staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, which can cause sepsis avoiding certain types of food, such as raw meat and shellfish, which could cause food poisoning ensuring the skin is kept moisturized by wearing clothes that provide plenty of ventilation, especially when exercising making sure to use sunscreen when outside Some individuals choose to try home remedies to control eczema. However, these may not be suitable for everyone.
Home remedies for eczema
These include:
- applying moisturizers to the skin
- preferably at night by applying cream after bathing to help the skin retain moisture
- washing the skin with a soap-free moisturizing soap
- instead of with cleanser applying eucalyptus essential oil to the skin before going to bed
- covering the skin with a cream-based bandage, such as eczema tape
- applying a cold compress to the skin.
SideEffects
- rash
- fever sensitive.
Some people may need to use medications for longer periods, or stop using them, to see better results.
There are some home remedies that may help relieve symptoms. These include
- Applying baby moisturizer to the skin
- By applying coconut oil or olive oil to the skin
- applying oatmeal bath to the skin and avoiding hot and cold water, which can irritate the skin
- Using plenty of moisturizer
- avoiding cold weather
- applying lotions with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- treating the itching with cool or lukewarm compresses.
When to see a doctor
A person may also consider seeing a doctor if they experience severe itchiness or other symptoms, including:
- blackheads or whiteheads on the skin
- redness
- loss of skin texture
- redness that goes away but then returns pain
- anemia, which is low levels of red blood cells About 2 to 10 percent of people with eczema may also develop psoriasis.
Treatment Of Eczema During Pregnancy
Creams and ointments are applied topically once or twice daily. A person should also watch out for eczema flare-ups when they are breastfeeding, as breastfeeding can cause a person to gain weight and put stress on the skin. People with eczema during pregnancy may benefit from a dietary regimen that has been recommended by their doctor or a board-certified allergist, which may include foods that act as natural emollients and natural antibiotic treatment.
Medications
Medications can also be used, either as a preventive measure or in more severe cases. Management of eczema may include the following steps: A milder form of eczema known as atopic dermatitis (AD) may appear in children between the ages of 2 and 4. AD is not contagious. AD typically develops at the sites of contact with certain environmental substances. As with eczema, there are certain precautions that should be taken with AD: Anyone who suspects that they have AD should immediately seek medical treatment.
Foods and beverages
Foods and beverages- There is currently no evidence that foods and beverages can relieve eczema, although they can potentially make symptoms worse. Eating a healthful diet and maintaining a healthy weight is important for treating eczema, as a weight loss or gain can lead to skin thinning, cracking, and redness. Probiotics may help to manage symptoms of eczema. Antibiotics are not recommended in treating eczema and are not very effective.
However, some research suggests that antibiotics may be beneficial for treating skin inflammation. A Cochrane Review of 13 studies found that probiotics may help with reducing the severity of symptoms in children with severe eczema. However, some people with eczema are allergic to probiotics, and antibiotic treatment should be avoided if these allergies exist.
Will Pregnancy Eczema Go Away?
This usually occurs because of the hormonal changes accompanying pregnancy that upset the skin barrier’s natural barrier function. Some women have mild cases and experience few symptoms, while others are prone to more severe eczema symptoms, such as itching, fever, and occasional rashes. Pregnancy eczema is more common than people realize. The condition affects between 20 and 30 percent of pregnant women.
Is there anything you can do to prevent pregnancy eczema?
Do not moisturize the skin before and during the first trimester. In the early stages of pregnancy, women should avoid moisturizers, lotions, or baths. This is because the skin is developing. Some women may also find that their sense of smell becomes stronger, leading them to perceive scents that are not always there. In other words, smells can actually trigger an eczema flare-up. For these reasons, pregnant women with a history of eczema should avoid all harsh soaps or scented products, including perfume and cosmetics.
A woman should also avoid moisturizing the skin before and during the first trimester of pregnancy. Many products marketed to help protect the skin during pregnancy often contain various perfumes and dyes. If a woman applies fragrance products before she knows she is pregnant, this may lead to an allergic reaction.
Diagnosis
A biopsy is a small slice of skin that has been scraped away and examined under a microscope to see if there is a small difference in the levels of a specific protein or chemicals. While the doctor might be able to see some difference between eczema and AEP at this early stage, he or she may be unable to determine if there is an actual cause. The chances of your baby developing eczema or AEP at any time during your pregnancy are extremely low. If you experience an outbreak of eczema or AEP, your doctor will prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication.
Bottom Line
Theoretically, the baby should be born healthy and not be exposed to infection or other allergic triggers that could cause anaphylaxis, but the final diagnosis should always be sought. Eczema during pregnancy does not increase the risk of allergies or asthma later in life. However, it is a marker for some of the most common skin problems.
Sirisha B