Itchy Feet During Pregnancy: Causes, Treatment And Remedies

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Itchy feet in pregnancy may indicate intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

. Pregnant women may experience irritation or tingling sensation on the feet with an urge to scratch. Home care measures may help some women find relief from pregnancy-related skin itching (pruritus) in their abdomen, hands, and feet. However, severe itching requires medical care.

Read on to know about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and home remedies for itchy feet in pregnancy.

Causes And Symptoms Of Itchy Feet In Pregnancy

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Pregnant women may develop foot itching due to various reasons. Intense foot itching may be associated with other symptoms depending on the underlying cause. Further, some pregnant women may have isolated feet itching, while few have itching all over the body, including the hands and belly. Some others experience intense feet itching with mild itching in other body parts.

The common causes of itchy feet in pregnancy include (1)

• Hormonal and immune system changes during pregnancy can cause skin irritations. Certain immune system functions may increase or suppress the baby’s growth and development, and these immunity changes can make you vulnerable to skin conditions during pregnancy.

• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis (OC) occurs due to abnormal bile flow from the liver to the gut during pregnancy. The bile salts under the skin trigger intense itchiness without rashes in the hands and feet and mild itching in other areas. Other symptoms are yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin (jaundice) and abdominal pain during pregnancy in the right side. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis (2).

• Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage outside the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), causing tingling, numbness, pain, and itching in the hands and feet. Lower extremity (feet) neuropathy is common in pregnancy due to nerve compression from the growing uterus. However, the damage reverses (temporary) after delivery (3).

• Psoriasis can cause itchy feet and painful plaquesⁱScaly and inflamed patches of skin that may or may not be filled with pus on the feet and other body parts in some pregnant women. A collaborative cross-sectional study conducted by several research institutions revealed that the prevalence of psoriasis among adults in the United States stood at 3.0%. Women who have had psoriasis before pregnancy may experience remission or a flare-up while pregnant, while some may experience improvement in symptoms.

• Dermatological issues, such as dry skin, are common reasons for itchy feet, especially in dry climatic conditions. Frequent washing of feet and swimming in chlorinated water can also cause dry skin during pregnancy.

• Atopic dermatitis or eczema can cause dry and itchy feet and skin due to genetic and environmental factors. Some pregnant women can have itchy feet due to dyshidrotic eczema, which is eczema of the soles and sides of the feet.

Quick tip

Stay away from any potential allergens or irritants to minimize the eczema risk. If you experience eczema symptoms, seek prompt medical support and do not self-medicate (8).

• Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection between toes or other parts of the foot, causing itching and burning sensations in the affected areas. These fungi grow well in warm, dark, and humid conditions, such as inside sports shoes. Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial in preventing and treating this infection.

• Hookworm infections can be caught from walking barefoot on contaminated grounds, mostly in warm climates and sandy areas, causing the hookworm larvae to attach to the feet. It may cause a creeping skin eruption with redness, blisters, and itching in the affected area. Wearing footwear can help in preventing this infection (4).

• Allergic reactions can cause itchy feet in some pregnant women after exposure to certain triggers. These allergy-causing triggers may vary in each case.

• Diabetes can increase the risk of feet itching due to diabetic neuropathies. These are nerve damages caused by increased blood sugar levels, often associated with tingling, burning, and numbing sensations. Diabetes may also increase the risk of conditions causing itchy feet, such as fungal and bacterial infections of the foot and poor blood circulation.

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An itchy belly during pregnancy is common as the skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby. However, itchy feet due to skin stretching is rare. Seek medical care if you experience intense skin or foot itching during pregnancy.

Quick fact

Mild itching affects about 23% of expecting women (2).

Home Remedies For Itchy Feet In Pregnancy

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The following home remedies may help alleviate discomfort caused by itchy feet during pregnancy (1):

• Oatmeal baths can be made by adding a cup of powdered oatmeal to warm bathwater. Alternatively, soak your feet in this oatmeal mixture using a foot spa bucket or basin if you don’t prefer bathing in it. This is an excellent way to improve your foot care routine.

• Apply cold compresses on the itchy area or use cold footbaths, damp cloths, or ice packs wrapped in cloth. Avoid applying ice packs for more than 15 minutes at a time.

• Use unscented moisturizers such as shea butter, colloidal oatmeal, or cocoa butter to prevent and ease itchy feet due to dry skin. These moisturizing agents can effectively combat dryness and provide the necessary hydration to the skin.

Experts say

Claire McCarthy, Senior faculty editor (Harvard Health) and pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital, US, advises expectant women to avoid anything with fragrances to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals such as phthalatesⁱChemicals added to plastics to increase their durability and also found in specific personal care products and medicines (9).

• Foot massages in pregnancy can be particularly beneficial, as they not only help to ease the itching sensation that some women experience but also promote relaxation and improve circulation. Whether using special massagers or hands, these massages can provide much-needed relief during pregnancy.

• Wear breathable (cotton or wool), loose-fitting socks to help prevent sweaty and itchy feet.

Avoid foot creams or other products that cause itchy feet as an allergic reaction

. Likewise, avoid scratching the feet since this may worsen the itch and increase the risk for infections.

Signs You Should See A Doctor

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms related to feet itching during pregnancy (5):

• Worsening of itching overtime or at night
• No improvement with home care measures
• Severe itching
• Dark urine
• Grey or pale stools
• Jaundice
• Right-sided abdominal pain
• Stomach upset
• Nausea

Treatment For Itchy Feet During Pregnancy

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The treatment options may vary depending on the underlying cause. The following treatments are often prescribed to ease severe feet itching (1):

• Topical anti-itch medications, such as steroid creams, or emollientsⁱMoisturizing agents to keep the skin smooth and hydrated , help reduce itching.

• Topical antifungal creams, ointments, sprays, or lotions are prescribed for fungal infections of the feet, while antibacterial creams are given for bacterial skin conditions. Some women receive oral medications along with topical medications.

• H1-blocking antihistamineⁱMedicines used in the treatment of allergy is prescribed if the risks outweigh the benefits in pregnancy since it has teratogenicⁱToxic substances, a fetal exposure to which may cause congenital abnormalities in the baby effects. Over-the-counter antihistamines are not considered a safe pregnancy medication by the US Food and Drug Administration and should be avoided.

• Ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol) is prescribed to lower the level of bile in the blood during cholestasis, to ease itching due to bile salts.

• In addition to topical treatments, lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications may aid in managing symptoms. For example, increasing the intake of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can support liver function and overall pregnancy health.

• Some women find relief through natural remedies. These may include using essential oils such as lavender or tea tree oil in foot baths to soothe itchy skin. However, the effectiveness and safety of these remedies during pregnancy are yet to be ascertained by research. Thus, using them without consulting with your medical professional is not advisable.

The use of unprescribed over-the-counter medications is not recommended during pregnancy. Appropriate management of the underlying cause can cure foot itching in pregnancy.

Cholestasis In Pregnancy – Things To Expect

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a severe liver disorder that can present with intense itching, often requiring careful monitoring and intervention throughout the pregnancy. ICP commonly appears late in the second trimester or early in the third trimester and requires medical attention. Doctors may order frequent fetal monitoring since increased bile production can cause adverse outcomes in pregnancy. They may suggest early labor induction in case of risks of premature birth and stillbirth after evaluating the fetal nonstress tests and biophysical profiles (6). However, ICP is temporary, and the bile flow returns to normal after pregnancy.

Quick fact

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) affects about 0.2 to 2% of pregnant women (10).

Infographic: How To Prevent Itchy Feet In Pregnancy

Itchy feet during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and liver dysfunction may require medication. However, regular foot-care measures can prevent other causes of foot itching. Check out this infographic that provides useful tips to prevent itchy feet in pregnancy.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

During pregnancy, your feet, toes and ankles may suddenly become very itchy. Watch this video to understand why this is happening and what you can do to gain relief.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Irene (Eirini) OrfanoudakiPhD, MD

Dr. Irene (Eirini) Orfanoudaki is a gynecologist-obstetrician, having a private practice in Heraklion, Crete, and collaborating with private health clinic 'MITERA' - Euromeda in Heraklion. With around 21 years of experience as a gynecologist-obstetrician, she specializes in ultrasound, colposcopy, minimal and advance gynecologic surgery, aesthetic gynecology, fertility consulting, menopause consulting, operative obstetrics, high-risk pregnancy, normal deliveries, antenatal, intra-parum, postnatal care, breast diseases, and teenage issues.

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Dr Bisny T. JosephMedical Doctor

Dr. Bisny T. Joseph is a Georgian Board-certified physician. She has completed her professional graduate degree as a medical doctor from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia. She has around 5 years of experience in various sectors of medical affairs as a physician, medical reviewer, medical writer, health coach, and Q&A expert.

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Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

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