According to my OB, skin itchiness is a common condition in pregnant women, particularly for first pregnancies. My OB told me to bear with it despite how difficult it is as there is no effective cure for it. There are however ways to relieve the itch though.

First, let’s talk about prescriptions that did nothing to help the itch. I was prescribed a bottle of Mint calamine for my itchiness. Too bad, it doesn’t work for me at all. My skin appeared drier having applied Calamine. My itch got worse.

Caring family members and friends suggested I avoid certain food like chicken, egg, fish and seafood which is believed to cause food allergies. I blindly listened and do exactly I was told. A week later, my skin condition doens’t seem to be improving. Perhaps it might take longer to see results? However, at the same time I came to my senses. If I’m cutting out those types of food, wouldn’t that cut out the amount of nutrition for my baby? That’s when I decided to eat everything. Except for prawns and yam, which has proven time and time again to make skin ailments worst for me in the past.

The pregnant itch has also lowered my tolerance for the warm weather condition significantly. I just couldn’t stand the heat and sweat. Two things that make my skin itches like mad. My usual outdoor activities like walking, outdoor dining and gardening among others had to be put on hold. In short, anything that makes me sweat has to be avoided. I had to resort to air-conditioned gym facilities for light exercises.

But nothing beats the torture I get every night. Often, it takes several hours of lying down, trying to doze off to make it through the night. Sometimes I couldn’t even sleep at all. I still shudder to reminisce about those sleepless nights where I had to wake up for the early mornings. It was extremely stressful and I constantly worry about the detrimental effects it would have on myself and my baby.