Itching during pregnancy is common and can have various causes. It could, for example, be down to an allergic reaction, eczema, heat rash, PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy) or hepatosis (intrahepatic cholestasis). Here we go through the two most common causes!

PUPPP
The causes of PUPPP are not fully understood, but it is an allergy-like condition that causes itching. The rash is similar to hives, in that the rash appears during an allergic reaction. PUPPP is harmless for pregnant people and for the foetus, but it is important to rule out that it is not, for example, hepatosis.

Hepatosis
Symptoms of hepatosis are severe itching, often in the hands and soles of the feet, especially at night. It is most common that you fall ill in the third trimester and it is likely that it will recur in a subsequent pregnancy. Hepatosis does not cause a rash, but you may get scratch marks due to scratching. The itching will disappear as soon as you give birth to your child or children. For severe hepatosis, there is some increased risk for the foetus. If you seek care for symptoms of liver disease, tests will be done to give you the right care and treatment. Treating the itching can be difficult, but there are medications that can help.

If you have had hepatosis, there is a greater risk of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. If you had hepatosis during pregnancy, there is a slightly increased risk of developing liver disease later in life. Depending on how severe your hepatosis was, you may need to check your liver at the maternity clinic some time after you have given birth to your child or children.

Raise any concerns with your midwife to get the right help with the kind of itching you are suffering from!