Why Do I Have Itchy Feet During Pregnancy?

There's almost nothing more annoying than feeling itchy. Just thinking about being itchy can make you itchier! Some people experience an uptick in itchy skin during pregnancy. The itching can happen all over the body or be confined to certain areas, such as the feet.

Often, itchy feet during pregnancy are common and not a problem. If you are consistently scritching and scratching, though, it’s important to tell a health care provider so that they can rule out a condition called cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver disease that can cause itchy feet and hands during pregnancy.

Let's take a deeper look at why your feet may be itchy during pregnancy, what can cause itchy feet, when to seek medical attention, and most importantly, how to get some much-needed relief.

Why Do People Get Itchy Feet During Pregnancy?

There are several reasons why your feet may be itchy during pregnancy, from changing hormones or increased sweating to skin conditions like psoriasis or cholestasis. Some of the causes of itchy feet are harmless, albeit annoying, while others are more serious.

Hormone changes

Changing pregnancy hormones is one of the most frequent causes of itchy feet during pregnancy, says Cindy M. Duke, MD, a fertility expert and virologist. Hormonal changes can impact your nerve endings, Dr. Duke explains, making them more sensitive and more prone to feeling itchy.

“Some patients will find that their nerves are a little more aggravated, especially if they have any underlying conditions,” Dr. Duke says. Specifically, pregnant people who have fibromyalgia, or other conditions that are nerve-related, may experience more skin sensitivity and itching during pregnancy, says Dr. Duke describes. Talk about something getting on your nerves!

Stretching skin and foot changes

Pregnancy causes your skin to stretch all over, which can lead to dehydration and moisture loss, both of which can cause your skin to feel itchy, explains Dr. Duke. Many pregnant people also find that their feet flatten during pregnancy thanks to the loosening ligaments. The wider surface area can cause your feet to become drier and sweatier, which can lead to itchy feet, Dr. Duke adds.

Psoriasis

Sometimes skin conditions emerge or become worse during pregnancy. For example, psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease that causes itchy red or silvery patches, can sometimes flare during pregnancy. Although people often find that pregnancy offers relief from itchy psoriasis symptoms, for about 10% to 20% of pregnant people, pregnancy makes psoriasis worse.

PUPPP

Another skin condition that can emerge during pregnancy is pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). PUPPP isn’t considered serious or harmful to your baby, but it can be very uncomfortable. It usually appears as an itchy rash on your stomach and can spread to your thighs, arms, and bottom.

Tamika Cross, MD, FACOG, author of What a Doctor Looks Like, says that sometimes PUPPP can spread to your feet and can be a cause of itchy feet during pregnancy. “PUPPP does not usually present on the feet but it can technically present anywhere on the body,” Dr. Cross explains. “So if someone says ‘I'm itching everywhere,’ I always like to rule that out.”

Cholestasis

Itchy feet during pregnancy can also be caused by a condition called cholestasis of pregnancy. With cholestasis, pregnancy hormones trigger liver dysfunction, producing a build-up of bile in the liver and bloodstream, ultimately resulting in very itchy feet and hands. Cholestasis can be harmful to your baby, so it’s important that it be treated, and that you inform your health care provider of any persistent itchiness you may be experiencing during pregnancy.

What To Know About Cholestasis

Cholestasis, also known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis, is a liver condition that affects about one or two of every 1,000 pregnant people. It’s also a potential cause of itching in pregnancy, particularly if you are experiencing itchiness of the feet and hands.

Neha Singla Jani, DPM, AACFAS, a podiatrist practicing in Evanston, Illinois, explains that cholestasis occurs due to a disruption to the liver’s ability to process bile, the digestive fluid produced by the liver. “The pathogenesis of itching in cholestasis is unknown, but some hypotheses have been proposed, including bile acid accumulation in the skin that acts as agents that cause itching,” Dr. Jani explains.

Cholestasis usually happens toward the end of pregnancy, says Dr. Jani, and can be experienced throughout the body or in localized areas. If the itching is confined to specific body parts, the hands and feet are the most common areas. Itching intensity tends to wax and wane, and is often worse at night, leading to disturbed sleep. There is no rash involved with cholestasis, just itching.

Itching of the hands and feet is the main symptom of cholestasis, but you might also notice other symptoms, including nausea, exhaustion, low appetite, dark-colored urine, and pain in the upper right side of your belly. Your eyes and skin may appear jaundiced (yellowed) as well.

Cholestasis doesn’t just cause annoying symptoms: It’s a serious medical condition that can harm developing babies if not treated. Untreated cholestasis can result in premature birth, fetal distress, respiratory issues in babies, and stillbirths. That’s why it’s important to take any persistent itchiness in pregnancy seriously and report your symptoms to a health care provider.

Ways To Relieve and Manage Itchiness During Pregnancy

Cases of itchy feet during pregnancy that aren’t caused by cholestasis usually respond well to at-home remedies and over-the-counter medications.

Dr. Duke suggests remedies such as warm or cold water soaks, cold compresses, and making sure to change your socks frequently. Having dry feet can cause itchiness, so moisturizers can be helpful. You can even use a moisturizer with anti-itch ingredients such as calamine lotion or lotions with diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl).

If you have been diagnosed with cholestasis, correcting the underlying issue will improve your itching. You will likely be prescribed a medication called ursodeoxycholic acid to treat cholestasis.

While you wait for the medication to work, you can treat your cholestasis itchiness with warm baths, moisturizers, and antihistamines, suggests Dr. Jani. Of course, you should clear any over-the-counter medication you consider taking with a health care provider.

When To Call a Health Care Provider

Pregnancy has a huge impact on the entire body, which means many pregnant people are more itchy than usual. When the itchiness only lasts for a short time and isn’t too bothersome, there is nothing you need to do about it besides employ simple comfort measures and wait for it to pass.

Any persistent or distressing itchiness, on the other hand, should be reported to your health care provider. Itching that involves your hands and feet and is worse at night could be a sign of cholestasis, a serious condition that can impact your baby if not properly treated. If you do end up having cholestasis, try not to worry. With proper care, cholestasis can be effectively managed and treated.