Many females who have eczema before giving birth will experience the condition worsening during pregnancy. This is known medically as “eczema gravidarum.” For some mommies, eczema may improve or go away entirely during pregnancy. Some women get worse after delivery and then see their skin clear up in about six months. It has been observed that female eczema sufferers who have a baby with atopic dermatitis (eczema) will see their skin improve. This suggests that there is a genetic link in some cases of eczema.
It is a condition of the skin which causes it to become scorched, irritated, and inflamed. Symptoms may include itchiness, redness, dry patches on the hands or face, or cracked fingertips. There are several types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis (caused by an allergy after coming into contact with something like poison ivy), seborrhoea (scaly scalp), and nummular eczema (round spots that cause intense itching).
The exact cause is unknown, but genetics has been suggested as one possible reason for this problem in some cases. If your parents had severe allergies, heartburn/acid reflux problems, asthma, or any food allergies, you might inherit sensitivity in these areas.
Pregnancy causes changes in an expecting mother’s body and hormones that can lead to flare-ups in eczema. The skin becomes more sensitive, and certain foods may trigger an allergic reaction. Your risk of having eczema increases if you or your family members have asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), food allergies (milk, eggs, nuts), or atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is best to avoid any potential triggers during pregnancy, such as heat, cold, stress, dust mites, and pets. Also, be aware of any itchy rashes developing after being outdoors during sunny days/heatwaves.
Hormonal changes are due to the surge of estrogen, which causes fluid retention causing swelling in the hands/face/knees. The swelling in the skin may cause more intense itchiness, which in turn causes scratching. If you are itching, it can lead to tiny breaks in your skin that allow bacteria to enter, causing infection. This will further cause inflammation, redness, and dry, extremely itchy patches of skin.
The most common symptoms of eczema are:
Eczema severity is categorized into four types: mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe. Depending on your skin condition before pregnancy and during the gestation period, many treatment options are available to control flare-ups. If you use steroid creams without medical supervision, this could lead to side effects such as skin thinning, hormone problems, etc. If you are pregnant, make sure to ask your doctor before using these creams.
If you have eczema before becoming pregnant, you should see your doctor for a check-up about six months before you plan to get pregnant. Your doctor will discuss how best to manage your condition during pregnancy and after delivery. Changes may take place very early on in the pregnancy or sometime later during the gestation period. As mentioned above, eczema may worsen during the first trimester and then improve around or after week 20. If you experience an increase in itching and rashes, this is an excellent time to see your doctor, who may want to adjust your medication (if applicable).
After giving birth to your baby, the skin on your body returns to normal and may not be as sensitive or reactive. During pregnancy, it is essential to try and control eczema. It’s natural for you to be concerned about how having a baby will affect your pregnancy symptoms such as acne cysts, nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), fatigue, stretch marks, and weight gain. Eczema flares up after childbirth because of the changes in estrogen levels. These hormones can cause fluid retention, which leads to swelling in the body, especially around the hands/face,/knees.
One of the first things you can do is wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Make sure your nails are cut short so that you won’t scratch too hard. Try not to touch any areas that are itchy/ inflamed, as this will worsen the condition. Also, avoid scratching your skin. If you need to, wear some cotton gloves at night or when sleeping to prevent scratching during nighttime hours. You could also apply petroleum jelly on raw patches of skin but make sure they are dry before doing so.
It is essential to keep in mind, having eczema doesn’t mean your child will get it. Some babies whose mothers had severe cases of eczema during their pregnancy or were delivered early, and these babies tend to be more sensitive to environmental factors like weather changes. Therefore, when you have a baby at home, make sure they share the same room/bed with you
Eczema is often made worse by dairy products, eggs, peanuts, soy products, wheat, and other grains. It may sometimes cause an allergic reaction such as swelling and itchiness. If you experience a flare-up during breastfeeding (which I did), then it might be worth cutting down or eliminating these food groups from your diet to see if it helps with the condition at all. You should also eat more foods rich in Vitamin A (yogurt, carrots, broccoli), Vitamin B6 (chicken, turkey), and Vitamin E (almonds, sunflower seeds).
I found it best to avoid fragrances/chemical-based products during pregnancy, which made me sneeze and cough a lot. My skin felt sometimes soothed after I used natural ingredients such as coconut oil or Shea butter on my body following showers/baths instead of moisturizing creams because it contained fewer chemicals compared
Contrary to the myth that if you have eczema, you can’t breastfeed, it is possible. Some women produce less milk when their babies are exposed to allergens such as peanuts or soy, so they may need to supplement with formula/breastfeeding for some time after birth. If your baby shows signs of difficulty breathing, unmask congestion, or has hives/rash post-breastfeeding, this could be an allergic reaction, and you should consult your physician immediately.
At times it becomes difficult to visit a skin doctor for skin ailments. Here are some simple tips to relieve your eczema symptoms at home:
These are few tips that can help control the symptoms of eczema. However, it is best to consult a homeopathy doctor for advice on managing to flare up symptoms.
If you consider taking homeopathic treatment to treat your eczema post-childbirth, ensure you visit a registered homeopath. You can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy, discuss your case with our homeopathic doctor, and get expert advice. You can also take a virtual consultation with our online homeopathic doctor and find the proper treatment by making an appointment through OHO Homeopathy.
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