Itchy skin in pregnancy: dry skin or something else?

Is itchy skin in pregnancy normal?

Itching in pregnancy is common, and the NHS says it is not usually caused by anything serious. The itch usually stops after your baby is born.

Its page says itch in pregnancy can come from changes to hormone levels. It can also come from your skin stretching as your baby grows.

The RCOG, the UK college of obstetricians, says itching affects 25 in 100 women in pregnancy. Most of them will not have ICP. But itching can be the first sign of ICP, so it says to tell your healthcare professional.

Itch can also start in the skin itself. On its general page about itchy skin, the NHS says itching is sometimes caused by dry, cracked or irritated skin.

A skin condition you already have can change, too. ACOG, the American college of obstetricians, says skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis may worsen or improve in pregnancy.

What are the warning signs of ICP in pregnancy?

The NHS gives three signs that mean you should get urgent medical help now. They could be signs of ICP, which needs urgent treatment.

The first is very itchy skin, for example itch that keeps you awake at night. The second is itchy palms of your hands or soles of your feet. The third is itching that is worse at night.

ICP stands for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition. If you have any of these signs, the NHS says to call your maternity unit if you have the number. If you cannot reach them, it says to call 111.

ACOG names the main symptom of ICP as severe itching without a rash. The itch is common on the palms and soles, but can spread to the trunk of the body. It is typically worse at night and usually starts in the third trimester.

The RCOG says the itch can start at any time in pregnancy, but usually begins after 28 weeks. It can be mild or intense, and it can disturb your sleep.

Cleveland Clinic, a US hospital, lists less common signs that may come with the itch. They are nausea, dark pee, light gray or pale brown poop, and extreme tiredness. They also include a smaller appetite, pain in the upper right of your belly, and jaundice.

ACOG says ICP may raise the risk of preterm birth and other problems, including, in rare cases, stillbirth. So if blood tests show ICP, you and your baby should be watched closely in the third trimester.

The NHS says ICP needs to be treated with medicine. It also says most people with ICP make a full recovery and have a healthy birth.

Figures for how common ICP is differ. The RCOG says that in the UK, it affects about 7 in 1000 women. Cleveland Clinic says it affects about 1 to 2 in 1,000 pregnancies.

No body cited here says you can tell dry skin itch from ICP by how your skin looks. ACOG and the RCOG say only that ICP itch comes without a rash. The RCOG says you will be offered blood tests to help diagnose it.

What helps dry, itchy skin in pregnancy?

The NHS suggests an unperfumed moisturiser, used regularly, and baths or showers that are cool or warm, not hot. ACOG suggests mild, fragrance free soap and a heavy moisturizer.

The NHS self care advice is to use an unperfumed moisturiser or emollient on your skin regularly. It says not to spend longer than 20 minutes in the bath or shower. It also says not to use perfumed soaps, deodorants or moisturisers.

ACOG’s tips for itchy skin start with mild, fragrance free soaps. You can add uncooked oatmeal or baking soda to your bath. You can also put a cool, wet cloth on the itchy area.

The AAD, the American dermatologists’ academy, gives general dry skin advice that is not written for pregnancy. It says to limit baths and showers to five to ten minutes in warm water. Then pat your skin dry and put on a fragrance free moisturizer straight away.

The same page suggests a humidifier. It says creams and ointments add more moisture than lotions. Its list of ingredients to look for includes glycerin, shea butter, petrolatum and dimethicone.

On how often to moisturize, the two differ. ACOG’s advice for itch in pregnancy is a heavy moisturizer twice a day. The AAD’s general advice is to apply moisturizer several times a day.

ACOG and the AAD differ on anti itch creams. ACOG says an over the counter anti itch cream may help provide relief. The AAD says to ask your dermatologist before using one.

No body cited here names colloidal oatmeal creams, calendula or aloe for itch in pregnancy. The oatmeal tip above is uncooked oatmeal in the bath.

If the cause is ICP, the RCOG says treatments for the itch are of limited benefit. They might include creams such as aqueous cream, with or without menthol.

For itch in pregnancy, the NHS says a GP or midwife may offer emollients. Those are moisturising creams that soothe the skin and stop it drying out.

If you want to read what is in a cream, our label reads of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Aquaphor go through each ingredient. The app’s pregnancy ingredient list is Truva’s call, not a published rule.

What changes if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive or have PCOS?

Pregnancy has the clearest advice in the sources cited here. For the other stages, they give general dry skin advice or nothing.

Pregnancy

The NHS says itching in pregnancy is common and usually not serious. It says to get urgent medical help now for very itchy skin, itchy palms or soles, or itching worse at night. The RCOG says ICP itch comes without any rash, and most itchy pregnant women will not have ICP.

Breastfeeding

None of the sources cited here covers itchy skin while breastfeeding. The AAD’s dry skin tips above are general advice, not written for this stage. To check a cream’s label, see the app’s breastfeeding ingredient list.

Postpartum, not breastfeeding

None of the sources cited here has a rule on dry, itchy skin postpartum when you are not breastfeeding. If you had ICP, the RCOG says ICP symptoms get better after birth. ACOG says ICP can happen again in future pregnancies.

Trying to conceive

No body cited here has published a rule on itchy skin while trying to conceive. The AAD’s dry skin tips above are general advice, not written for this stage. The app’s trying to conceive list is its own call about the weeks before a pregnancy is known.

PCOS

No body cited here has published a rule on itchy skin with PCOS. Our PCOS skincare guide covers other skin questions if you have PCOS.

Not pregnant or breastfeeding

For dry skin in general, the AAD suggests short, warm showers, a humidifier, and moisturizer several times a day. ACOG’s advice for itch in pregnancy is a heavy moisturizer twice a day.

When should I see a GP, midwife or doctor about itching in pregnancy?

See a GP if your itchy skin is affecting your daily life, the NHS says. For the three warning signs above, get urgent medical help now.

The same page also says to see a GP if a pharmacist’s treatment has not helped, or the itch keeps coming back. The same goes if you have eczema, which can get worse in pregnancy, or a new rash, lump or swelling.

Its general itchy skin page says itch in pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about. It still says to check with a GP or midwife, because it can sometimes be caused by ICP.

The RCOG says your skin will be examined to see whether a skin condition, such as eczema, explains the itch. It says you may have more than one condition.

If you already have a skin disease, ACOG says to let your ob-gyn know of any changes in your symptoms during pregnancy.

In its general dry skin advice, the AAD says very dry skin may be due to an underlying medical condition. It names atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and kidney disease.

What is the bottom line on itchy skin in pregnancy?

• Itching in pregnancy is common and usually not serious. It usually stops after your baby is born.
• The NHS says to get urgent medical help now for very itchy skin, itchy palms or soles, or itching worse at night.
• For dry itch, the NHS suggests an unperfumed moisturiser. ACOG suggests fragrance free soap and a heavy moisturizer.

Where this came from

Every health claim on this page links to the body that published it. Nothing here comes from another blog.

Every link above was fetched and confirmed to resolve on 6 September 2026.

Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. This post was written by the Truva team from the sources listed above. It has not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing in it is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.