Week 37 • Third Trimester
Itchy Skin at Week 37
Skin itchiness, especially on belly
📆 Third Trimester Overview
Common - 20% experience itching, especially belly
🔍 What Causes Itchy Skin at Week 37?
- •Skin stretching rapidly
- •Hormonal changes
- •Increased blood flow
- •Dry skin from hormones
- •Stretching causing micro-tears
- •Rarely: cholestasis of pregnancy
✓ Normal Signs
- ✓Itchy belly from stretching
- ✓Dry skin itchiness
- ✓Relieved by moisturizing
- ✓No rash
⚠ Concerning Signs
- ⚠Severe itching on palms/soles
- ⚠Itching all over body
- ⚠Itching with jaundice
- ⚠Itching not relieved by moisturizer
- ⚠Itching with rash
💊 Relief Strategies
- ✓Moisturize frequently with fragrance-free lotion
- ✓Apply lotion to damp skin
- ✓Use gentle, fragrance-free soap
- ✓Take lukewarm (not hot) showers
- ✓Wear soft, loose clothing
- ✓Use humidifier
- ✓Avoid scratching
- ✓Oatmeal baths
- ✓Cold compresses
🏥 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Severe itching on palms and soles
- ⚠Itching all over body
- ⚠Itching with yellowing skin/eyes
- ⚠Itching not relieved by moisturizer
- ⚠Rash with itching
- ⚠Dark urine with itching