itchy skin.
last revised · reviewed 2026-07-05
Mild itching is common in pregnancy as skin stretches over the bump and hormones make it drier. But itching without a rash — especially on the palms and soles, and worse at night — can signal intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a liver condition that needs a blood test, so always report it to your midwife.
what it feels like
Ordinary pregnancy itch centres on the stretching skin of the bump and breasts and eases with moisturiser. ICP itching is different: often intense, typically on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, worse at night, and without any rash to show for it.
why it happens
Stretching skin, hormonal dryness, and increased blood flow all make skin more irritable in pregnancy. In ICP, bile acids build up in the bloodstream instead of flowing normally from the liver, and they trigger itching from within — which is why there is nothing to see on the skin. ICP affects around 1 in 140 pregnancies and needs monitoring.
what helps
- Moisturise generously with an unperfumed emollient, especially after washing
- Keep baths and showers lukewarm — hot water strips the skin and worsens itch
- Wear loose, breathable cotton next to the skin
- Keep the bedroom cool at night; heat amplifies itching
- A cool, damp cloth on itchy areas calms flares without scratching
- Avoid perfumed soaps and bubble baths; choose gentle, unfragranced washes
- Report persistent itching to your midwife even if it seems mild — the ICP blood test is quick and simple
when to call your midwife or doctor
- Itching on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, or itching that is worse at night — call your midwife or doctor for bile acid blood tests
- Intense itching anywhere without a rash
- Itching with dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes — same-day review
- A new widespread rash, or a rash with fever — call your midwife or doctor
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call — no midwife has ever minded a careful question.
common questions
What is cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)?
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver condition where bile acids build up in the blood, causing itching — classically of the palms and soles, worse at night, with no rash. It affects around 1 in 140 pregnancies and is diagnosed with a blood test. It needs monitoring, so always tell your midwife about this pattern of itching.
Is itchy skin on my bump normal?
Yes — mild itching over the bump and breasts is very common as the skin stretches and dries. Regular moisturising, lukewarm washing, and loose cotton clothing usually settle it. It is the itching without visible cause, especially palms and soles at night, that needs a blood test.
When should I worry about itching in pregnancy?
Report itching that affects the palms or soles, is worse at night, is intense, or comes without a rash — those are the ICP warning signs. Itching with dark urine, pale stools, or yellowed skin needs same-day review. Call your midwife or doctor; the test is a simple blood draw.
read it in context
Itchy skin tends to show up around these weeks of pregnancy:
related symptoms
- Back pain
Lower back pain affects up to two thirds of pregnant women, usually from mid-pregnancy onwards, as the growing bump shifts your centre of gravity and the hormone relaxin loosens supporting ligaments.
- Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds affect around 1 in 5 pregnant women — pregnancy hormones expand the delicate blood vessels lining the nose while your total blood volume rises by half.
- Dizziness
Feeling light-headed or dizzy is common in pregnancy, because progesterone widens your blood vessels and blood pressure naturally dips, especially in the first and second trimesters.
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