Many women find their skin gets more sensitive and easily irritated during pregnancy. It's partly the hormone changes (yes those again!), and partly the fact that your skin is thinning and stretching as you, and your baby, grow. Your doctor may recommend using a hypoallergenic cream or lotion to prevent your skin from getting irritated or inflamed. You may also like to try some of the creams and lotions especially designed for pregnancy, or choose gentle bath products sold for babies.
Have a think about the other products your skin comes into contact with, particularly those containing chemicals. These include washing powders, perfumes, air fresheners, floor cleaners, and household polishes. You may find that changing to a gentle detergent to wash clothes prevents chafing and soreness. If your skin seems to be affected all over, try washing towels and sheets in a gentle detergent as well. Wear a pair of gloves when washing utensils or generally cleaning around the house. Try to stop using perfumes or deodorant sprays for a few days so you can see if your skin settles down without it. And it’s best to not use household cleaners and polishes in aerosols for a week or so to see if things improve. Consider hiring a maid to do the household work for some time. Or, you may like to try using natural cleaners such as vinegar, lime juice and baking soda for your home. Bear in mind that your skin may be more sun sensitive. So, keep your skin protected from the sun with a high-factor sunscreen (SPF15 or more) and stay in the shade as much as possible. Remember to moisturise your skin, particularly your hands, after coming in contact with water, as well. If you are swimming during pregnancy, you can try rubbing some coconut (nariyal), almond (badaam) or olive oil over yourself before getting into the pool. This will save your skin from getting extremely dry or itchy. The good news is that most women find their skin gets better after pregnancy.