It's no secret that pregnancy comes with its fair share of symptoms - morning sickness, stretch marks, and the constant need to pee, to name a few. But there's one symptom that's not talked about as much - itchy belly or itchy belly button. Sure, you may have heard about it, but it's not always easy to figure out what it means or how to get rid of it. But don't worry, we're here to help.
So, what does an itchy belly mean and how can you get rid of it? First and foremost, don't panic. Itchiness around the growing bump and breasts is common and nothing to fret about. There are a few reasons why it's normal:
- Stretched skin - as your bump grows, so does the skin on your tummy. It stretches to accommodate your baby.
- Dry skin - thanks to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, dry skin is a common culprit for any itchiness on your body. The stretching combined with dry skin around the tummy is a recipe for itchy and irritated skin.
- Hormones - the hormonal changes can affect everything from mood to circulation to, yes, itchiness.
However, if the itchiness starts to form a rash or raised lump, it's best to get it checked by your gynaecologist or doctor. This could be a symptom of Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), which needs to be addressed immediately. The good news is that it usually resolves soon after pregnancy and your doctor might be able to suggest something to help you through it.
So, what can you do to soothe the itchiness naturally?
- Control the urge to itch - don't scratch as it will worsen the skin and make it more irritated and itchy.
- Moisturize with Ayurvedic belly oils - this is the second most important tip to help prevent the itchiness and also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
- Use cool compresses - put a cool, wet washcloth on an itchy spot for five to 10 minutes to get some relief. Avoid hot water baths and instead, take warm water baths, which will help to retain the natural moisture of the skin.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothing made with natural materials like cotton and linen - this will help keep you cool and avoid heat-related rashes.
When it comes to what to apply on an itchy belly, Ayurveda has a solution for that too. Abyanga, an Ayurvedic practice of self-massage with Ayurvedic oils, helps to keep our skin healthy, supple and flawless. Studies in modern science also show that oils are lipophilic, penetrating deep into the skin, trapping water and other moisturizing goodness in, and being the ultimate free radical protector and keeping toxins out.
We at Zoi, have combined the richness of tradition and the goodness of modern science to create a lightweight belly oil that helps to restore the stressed, fragile skin and protect it in this delicate phase. Our undiluted blend of oils sourced from the goodness of oils from "God's Own Country" like Nalpamaradi, Eladi Thailam, Kumkumadi Thailam and from northern parts Khajor and Mulethi creates a perfect blend for deep hydration and nutrient-rich moisture for the mama's skin. Plus, our creations are hand-made and solar infused.