Dry skin during pregnancy

definition

Dry skin is often tight, rough to the touch and often accompanied by itching. Because the skin lacks moisture and water, this often makes it look wrinkled. In addition, it is very brittle and quickly develops small cracks that can develop into larger wounds with inflammation. In addition, finer scales can form.

If it is very severe, dehydration eczema with itching and reddening can also develop.

introduction

With the Beginning of the pregnancy passes through the female body numerous changesthat especially by Hormones be effected. These changes also include increased Water retention, a increased blood volume and changes in skin and hair.

Many pregnant women get one from the changes different skin texture. The better blood circulation lets the Skin rosier and smoother appear. However, not all pregnant women react equally to the hormonal changes during pregnancy. The opposite reactions can also occur. Some pregnant women then tend to be more dry, more brittle or blemished skin with blackheads.

Causes of Dry Skin During Pregnancy

The hormones estrogen and progesterone are particularly responsible for the changes during pregnancy. They initiate many processes so that the female body can optimally adjust to the fetus. However, these changes also lead to other processes that can not only have an impact on various metabolic processes, but also on the skin and hair. The hormonal change can also lead to dry and rough skin. The development of dry and cracked skin is also supported because the body of a pregnant woman stores more water. You might think that it prevents the skin from drying out, but the outer layers of the skin are literally deprived of water, so that they require special care during this time.

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Another cause of dry skin during pregnancy can be various new reactions to soap or laundry detergent. The general changes during this time also make the skin much more sensitive. It can happen that a pregnant woman is unexpectedly sensitive to soap or care products with dry skin, although she has been using these products for a long time and coping well. Ingredients that normally didn't cause problems can now cause irritation to the skin. If they occur, they should be carefully observed, especially when trying to find out what is causing them. In this case, the pregnant woman should pay attention to when the irritation occurs and consider possible causes. These can be care products for the face, washing powder or fabric softener, various creams and soaps.

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Also can Cosmetic products or certain clothes cause such problems. Since the Body temperature of a pregnant woman during pregnancy change may or should be subject to fluctuations dress be worn that breathable and feels good on the skin. Especially clothing containing synthetic materials can increase sweat and thus also to Irritation to the skin cause the skin to dry out.

Another possibility of skin dehydration is UV radiation. Generally a small sunbathing during pregnancy as harmless. However, the skin can and should be more sensitive during this time better protected become. On the one hand, sensitive skin can dry out more due to the sun's rays; Pigment disorder occur.

Very itching

If itching occurs all over the body in late pregnancy, which is long-lasting and very uncomfortable, one must think of pregnancy cholestasis, as these symptoms are very typical. Pregnancy cholestasis is a temporary abnormal liver function. Cholestasis is the reduced excretion of bile acids. In this disease, the excretion of bile acids is temporarily disturbed because in most cases there is a mechanical obstruction of the bile drainage in the draining bile ducts. In this case one speaks of an extrahepatic cholestasis, so the problem lies outside the liver.

In intrahepatic cholestasis, the obstruction to drainage is still in the liver. The excretion of bile acids by the cells can often be directly hindered. Hereditary gene changes play a role in this, and at the same time the rising estrogen during pregnancy additionally lowers the removal of bile acids. The bile acids accumulate in the blood and cause severe itching. This is particularly pronounced on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Scratching and rubbing are often used to try to relieve itching. Usually only then does a change in the skin become apparent: it becomes red and scratch marks appear. In very rare cases, other liver values ​​also rise in the blood. This can also include bilirubin, a pigment in the blood. If it exceeds a certain concentration in the blood, jaundice (Jaundice) form. It is usually recognized first by the fact that the conjunctiva (Sclera) turn yellow. The skin can then turn yellow all over the body.

If the child is not yet born, pregnancy cholestasis should be checked regularly by a doctor. The doctor then checks the blood and checks the levels of bile acids and the liver. To protect the child from complications, it should also be examined regularly by a gynecologist.

One possible therapy is the drug ursodeoxycholic acid, which in such a case has not yet been approved, but is the drug of choice for many doctors because it normalizes the high blood levels of bile acids. This would be particularly useful for the unborn child so that it does not suffer any damage to health. Moisturizing creams can be used against the itching.

After the birth, the mother's estrogen level drops back to normal values ​​and this usually stops the itching, as the bile acids on the body can literally be removed again. Nevertheless, the problem persists due to the influence of the hormone estrogen on the removal of bile acids. Intrahepatic cholestasis may recur when taking the birth control pill. The mother should therefore decide together with the attending gynecologist whether it would make sense to forego the pill and try another contraceptive.

Read more on the topic: Pregnancy cholestasis

Symptoms of dry skin during pregnancy

Dry skin manifests itself individually and to different degrees. Brittle skin often looks tight and wrinkled. It also feels rough and can develop smaller or larger scales that fall off on their own.

If the dry skin of a pregnant woman is not properly cared for, it can continue to develop small cracks, so-called fissures, due to increasing stress. These generally offer a small risk of an inflammatory reaction if they are contaminated or not treated with appropriate products. The fine cracks then recede quickly.

The dried out skin irritates it further and can cause itching. Itching can occur from time to time and is generally normal with dry skin. Scratching can relieve itching for a short time, but it puts additional stress on the skin and should be avoided due to the risk of the skin becoming open or sore. The better help are nourishing creams.

Changes during pregnancy can be observed especially in the face. While some women maintain smooth and pure skin or even refine their complexion, other women react more to the hormonal changes during pregnancy by worsening the skin. In addition to pimples, oily skin and the increased occurrence of blackheads, dry areas of the skin on the chin, forehead and around the nose are particularly common. It is not uncommon for the skin to become reddish and itchy.

Cosmetic products, soap or washing lotion can now trigger a rash on the face more frequently because the skin is much more sensitive than usual. The pregnant woman should possibly use other care products to find out what is causing the symptoms.

The hormones can also cause various pigmentation disorders during pregnancy. On the face, they are particularly likely to be caused by sun rays. The skin turns a little darker or one area of ​​the skin becomes discolored. Both variants are possible and most symptoms usually resolve after pregnancy.

Dry areas of the skin make the body more sensitive to invading bacteria or skin fungi. It is not uncommon for some pregnant women to develop a fungal infection due to irritated skin, which must then be treated accordingly.

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Dry skin during pregnancy with pimples

Pimples and blemished skin are mostly associated with puberty and less so with pregnancy, although many women also suffer from blemished skin during pregnancy. As is so often the case, one of the reasons for this is the changed hormone balance, which leads to increased sebum production. The skin can be both dry and impure, which many women find stressful.

The main question is how to care for the skin in this case (see also: This is how impure skin is treated). PH-neutral washing lotions and moisturizing creams with a low fat content are recommended. On the other hand, drying out products and aggressive soaps should be avoided. In most cases, the skin's appearance improves again after the first trimester.

Dry skin on the face during pregnancy

The skin on the face is particularly sensitive in most people - even without pregnancy. It is therefore all too understandable that exceptional hormonal situations can also be reflected in the skin of the face. Dry and sometimes blemished skin can be the result, so pregnant women should take care of their facial skin during pregnancy. Gentle washing lotions are good for cleaning the face in the morning and evening.

However, one should refrain from products against oily skin that dry out the skin. Hand soap is also not suitable for cleaning the face, as it is usually aggressive and further dries out the skin. Light, moisturizing day and night creams help nourish the skin of the face throughout the day and night. Furthermore, moisturizing masks can be applied once or twice a week.

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Dry skin on the stomach during pregnancy

The skin on the abdomen is the most stressed during pregnancy, as the size of the unborn child increases with the size of the abdomen. This is an enormous burden for the skin and should therefore be very well cared for. The massive stretching of the skin and dry skin at the same time can lead to unsightly stretch marks. These are fine tears in the connective tissue that do not recede. These stretch marks can be counteracted by various measures; you can read these under Preventing stretch marks.

Dry skin on the abdomen should therefore be avoided. In order to protect the skin from drying out and to make it elastic and stretchable for the increase in size, it should be rubbed regularly, preferably several times a day, with a moisturizing and greasy cream or oil. The creams can be properly massaged into the skin. This not only has a beneficial effect, but the moisture can be massaged into the tissue and stored there.

Hot showers also dry out the skin, so the skin on the stomach and the entire body should also be cared for after showering.

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What helps against dry skin during pregnancy?

Dry skin during pregnancy can be very stressful for the expectant mother. In particular, when the skin is peeling or even cracking, many women not only feel uncomfortable, but also disturbed in everyday life. Therefore, the question often arises of what can be done about dry skin.

• The right basic care is usually the key to recovery. Get in the habit of consistently applying lotion to your skin every day. Use rich products that contain little oil and a lot of water.
• Wear comfortable, not too tight clothing that does not put additional strain on the skin.
• Aggressive soaps should not be used, as these only further dry out the skin. There are many products in the pharmacy that are specially designed for the care of dry skin. In the end, it only helps to try them out to find the right product for you.
• It is also important to drink enough water, between 2 and 2.5 liters. This prevents the skin from drying out and becoming brittle.
• Not only external care has an influence on the complexion, diet also plays an important role. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid a lot of coffee and fatty and sugary products. These worsen the complexion and lead to dry and blemished skin.

If the skin is very itchy and yellow, however, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a pregnancy cholestasis.

Read more about this: This is how dry skin is treated

Does dry skin indicate gender during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, many changes occur in the female body that do not only affect the baby bump. Some women develop downright dry skin. Hormonal changes in particular are responsible for dry skin and mostly accompanying water retention in the tissue. When it comes to the gender of the unborn child, expectant parents will hear a number of folk wisdoms. Mothers who suffer from nausea should have girls, whereas mothers who crave salty foods should have boys.

Popular wisdom has also developed regarding dry skin during pregnancy. It is said that if you have dry skin during pregnancy, you will have a boy. Many mothers wonder if there is any truth in this folk wisdom or not. As much as the guesswork may be fun, it is important to note that this is not the way to determine the child's gender. Dry skin during pregnancy can appear in both the birth of a girl and a boy. The gender of the child does not change the mother's hormonal balance. The adaptations to pregnancy are the same.

Can dry skin be a sign of pregnancy?

Due to the body's hormonal adaptations to pregnancy, some women experience dry skin during pregnancy. This condition usually improves again after the birth. Seen in this way, dry skin can be viewed as an uncertain sign of pregnancy, but one should keep in mind that one cannot safely suspect pregnancy in this way.

Even the absence of menstrual bleeding is only an uncertain sign of pregnancy, although in this case the assumption is even more obvious. Dry skin usually only appears in the course of pregnancy when this has already been confirmed by an examination by a doctor. There are actually no changes to the skin in the first few weeks of pregnancy.

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