Itchy skin during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy? pruritic folliculitis may be the cause

There are many annoying side effects that arise during pregnancy. One of them is an itchy skin problem characterized by small red bumps around certain small areas, for example on the arms or legs. In some cases, expectant mothers can complain that the whole body feels itchy during pregnancy. Pruritic folliculitis is the cause of this itchy skin problem during pregnancy. What is the danger? Come on, understand more about pruritic folliculitis in the following review.

Pruritic folliculitis is a cause of itchy skin during pregnancy

Pruritic folliculitis is a rash of small red bumps like pimples that feel itchy. The size of the bumps varies, generally about 3 to 5 mm and sometimes they can be larger, about 6 to 8 mm. Some pruritic bumps can contain pus.

The rash usually appears on the shoulders, arms, chest, stomach, and upper back. However, not all pregnant women feel the same symptoms. Some expectant mothers only experience the appearance of bumps but do not itch during pregnancy.

Reporting from the Very Well Family, pruritus folliculitis is rare. Only 1 in 3,000 pregnancies develop this condition. Because it's rare, pruritic folliculitis is often misdiagnosed with a number of other skin problems with similar symptoms. Some of these conditions include:

Bacterial folliculitis.
Pythiriasis folliculitis.
Acne caused by chemicals.
Prurigo (sweet blood).

Fortunately, until now there have been no reports that pruritus has an adverse effect on the fetus.

What causes pruritic folliculitis?

Until now, the cause of pruritic folliculitis is not known with certainty. However, some researchers believe that itchy skin problems during pregnancy are caused by hormonal changes, not an immune system disorder or bacterial infection. The reason is, the symptoms of itching only occur during pregnancy and will disappear after delivery.

Pruritic folliculitis usually occurs in the second to third trimester, and can heal from 2-8 weeks after delivery.

What is the treatment like?

Source: New Kids Center

Treatment of itchy skin during pregnancy due to folliculitis is benzoyl peroxide cream. This material has been proven safe for use during pregnancy because it will not affect the fetus.

However, the risk of drug side effects may still be present in the expectant mother. Benzoyl peroxide can cause skin to feel dry and warm, tingling, and a "chuckling" sensation. These side effects may make you uncomfortable, but they will not last long.

Also watch out for allergic skin reactions from benzoyl peroxide. If you have sensitive skin, you should first test the cream on the back of your itch-free hand and wait 24 hours. Immediately stop using the cream if symptoms appear, such as:

Rash and itching of the skin.
Feel like passing out.
Respiratory disorders.
Swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, or tongue.

Instead, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine medication or a low-dose corticosteroid cream to treat itching during pregnancy. These two drugs must be redeemed by a doctor's prescription to avoid excessive doses that could potentially cause problems for the mother and the fetus.