Itchy Stomach: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes an itchy stomach?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on July 21, 2023

Causes
Pregnancy
Treatment
Prevention
When to see a doctor
Outlook

An itchy stomach may be a skin-related issue, such as an infection, or it may be a side effect of pregnancy. Various treatments can help with itching.

In this article, we discuss the reasons why the stomach might get itchy and suggest treatments that can help to reduce the itchiness.

Causes

Man with an itchy stomach scratching his belly. — An itchy stomach may be caused by a skin condition, such as eczema.

Most of the causes associated with stomach itching are not severe. However, they can still be concerning and uncomfortable for someone.

Examples of conditions that can cause stomach itching include:

Contact dermatitis

This condition occurs when the skin comes into contact with something that causes it to be irritated. Common irritants include:

metals, such as belly button piercings
beauty products
latex
cleaning products
laundry detergent and associated products

The result can be very dry, itchy skin on the stomach and other areas that are exposed to the irritant.

A person may experience contact dermatitis from using new kinds of soaps on their skin, or even exposure to water that is too hot.

Eczema

While contact dermatitis is a type of eczema, there are other forms of eczema that affect the stomach and cause the skin to itch.

Eczema results in dry, scaling skin that is often very itchy. Sometimes a person may even experience swelling, raised areas, or dark-colored skin patches.

Infection

Sometimes an infection caused by bacteria or organisms, including scabies or lice, can lead to an itchy stomach.

In these instances, a person usually experiences the itching sensation at night.

Bedbugs or fleas

Small, itchy red bumps on the stomach and other parts of the body can indicate that a person has bedbugs or fleas in their house.

If the bites appear in a zigzag pattern and occur at night, bedbugs are a possible reason.

Medication reaction

If a person has begun taking a new medication, they may start to experience stomach itching and a red rash.

This type of rash will often appear on the stomach and back first.

A person should call their doctor if they think they are experiencing a negative reaction to a new medication.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that causes an immune system response. Most types of psoriasis cause areas of scaly skin, redness, and itching.

The condition most commonly appears around the knees, elbows, and scalp. However, psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, including the stomach.

When the areas of skin rub together, they are more likely to become damp and irritated. Psoriasis on the stomach may be more likely when there are folds of skin that are in contact with each other.

Itchy stomach and pregnancy

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It is common for the stomach to become itchy during pregnancy.

An itching stomach is a common experience during pregnancy. There are several reasons for this, including:

itching as the belly expands to accommodate the growing baby
raised levels of certain chemicals, including hormones, in the blood
PUPPP rash, which stands for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy
a liver condition known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, or ICP, also called obstetric cholestasis or OC.

ICP occurs when there is a buildup of bile in the body. This is a potentially serious condition, as it can increase the likelihood of stillbirth.

ICP affects around 1 in 140 pregnant women.

Symptoms usually develop after 30 weeks of pregnancy, but they may also occur as early as 8 weeks.

Other symptoms of ICP include:

itching hands and feet
very severe itching
dark urine
pale bowel movements
yellow skin, otherwise known as jaundice
onset after 30 weeks of pregnancy but also as early as 8 weeks

If this condition is suspected, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor may recommend inducing birth after 37 weeks of pregnancy or earlier to protect the baby.

Treatment

While it is often tempting to scratch an itchy stomach, this is likely to make the itching worse.

The following treatments for relieving itchy skin are recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology:

Wearing loose clothes to prevent the fabric rubbing against the skin.
Wearing natural fabrics, such as cotton, to allow air to circulate on the stomach.
Applying a cool, moist cloth to the stomach when itching occurs. Hold it to the skin for 5 to 10 minutes.
Using a fragrance-free moisturizer after a bath, or anytime the skin feels especially dry. Placing the moisturizer in the freezer first can make this more effective.
Taking a bath in oatmeal. This method is recommended particularly for itching caused by rashes, blisters, and sunburn.

Some people may find relief from itching by applying corticosteroids creams or taking oral corticosteroids. Oral antihistamines can also reduce scratching. However, these treatments are usually intended for short-term use only.

Prevention

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Moisturizing the skin regularly may help to prevent an itchy stomach. Avoid perfumed products.

Some of the steps a person can take to prevent stomach itching include:

avoiding perfumed or harsh soaps, as these can dry out the skin
wearing loose, breathable clothing that does not sit too tightly against the skin
taking a shower or bath for no more than 10 minutes, using lukewarm water
keeping moisturizers easily accessible in a person’s home or office to apply to the skin when itching occurs

A person can also talk to their doctor about additional measures that may reduce their symptoms, depending on the cause of the itching.

When to see a doctor

If over-the-counter treatments do not work, or if the cause is not known, a person may wish to see a doctor or dermatologist.

Other signs that a person should see a doctor include:

itching that keeps a person from sleeping at night
itching that spreads beyond the stomach
symptoms that are accompanied by other signs, such as weight loss, urinary or bowel incontinence, or skin redness

If at any time a person starts having difficulty breathing in addition to their stomach itching, they should call 911 and seek emergency medical attention.

»MORE:Get a skin condition evaluation in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Outlook

If a person’s stomach itching interferes with their daily life and sleeping, they should always seek medical attention. Through over-the-counter and prescription treatments, a person can usually find relief from their symptoms.

Dermatology
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Pregnancy / Obstetrics

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Contact dermatitis. (n.d.)https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/contact-dermatitis#treatment
How to relieve itchy skin. (n.d.)https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/itchy-skin
Itching. (n.d.)http://www.firstskinfoundation.org/itching
Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. (2016, July 25)https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/
Itchy skin. (2017, July 4)https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/itchy-skin/
Itching without rash. (2015, May)https://www.health.harvard.edu/decision_guide/itching-without-rash

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA — Updated on July 21, 2023

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