Helpful Hints For Coping With Pregnancy Eczema

February 23, 2010 by Kim Archer  
Filed under pregnancy

Eczema is a skin condition of which the main signs and symptoms are red, cracked, dry skin, that is usually high itchy. In the worst cases, the area that is affected becomes raw and begins to bleed. It is a widespread health condition but one which seems to affect expectant mothers particularly. In fact, pregnancy eczema is a very common variety of this frustrating skin ailment, with many women experiencing their first outbreak while pregnant.

Women’s bodies are going through quite a bit of transformation at this point of their life and their hormones are totally off kilter. Though the correlation isn’t totally understood, these circumstances can regularly lead to outbreaks of eczema, even in those who never experienced them before their pregnancy. Often the condition can become a chronic problem even following delivery of the infant.

Managing pregnancy eczema can be a bit harder than with normal cases of eczema since when a woman is expecting she needs to be careful when it concerns treatment methods. There are some pharmaceutical drugs that may be made use of when a woman is pregnant, such as certain topical steroids, coal tar products and antihistamines. All of these should be utilized only under the watchful supervision of a doctor, though.

The safest method of managing the problem of pregnancy eczema is to keep away from the triggers that may cause an outbreak. And there are many of them, ranging from pet dander to bath oil and cosmetics. Additionally, you must avoid excessive contact with water, and attempt to avoid sweating a lot, which may be challenging while pregnant.

Applying generous amounts of rich moisturizing cream will help keep the skin hydrated and lessen the itching. Use fragrance free products so you won’t irritate the rash. Dress in loose-fitting clothing composed of soft, natural fabrics such as cotton, and avoid abrasive fabrics like wool. When you’re doing the laundry, opt for detergent that is fragrance free and pH neutral, and give your clothes an extra rinse cycle. Any new clothing you purchase should be laundered first before wearing.

It’s crucial that you refrain from scratching the area that is affected which may actually make the situation worse and open up the possibility of an infection if the skin breaks. It’s a better idea to make use of a cold compress to try to keep the itchiness under control.

Eczema is a condition that encompasses a wide range of skin ailments, from dyshidrotic eczema to atopic dermatitis. It’s evidenced by red, flaky patches on the skin that are very itchy, as well as unsightly. Learn more about how to get relief from eczema symptoms at Eczema Treatment.