Why Have My Stretch Marks Started To Itch? - BabyCenter Australia

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Antenatal health

Why have my stretch marks started to itch?

Medically reviewed by Hannah Dahlen, Midwife and Professor of Midwifery Sally Bathgate

Written by Sally Bathgate | 31 Dec 2022

Summary of itchy stretch marks

Itchy stretch marks may be caused by a condition called polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). This is a common itchy rash that can start in late pregnancy (the third trimester), in the stretch marks on your belly. PEP does not harm you or your baby, but you may find the itching is intense. See your midwife or doctor to rule out other causes of itching, and for medical treatments to help. Try a cool bath, emollient creams and ointments, and wearing cotton clothing to reduce heat and skin irritation.

PEP: a common cause of itchy stretch marks

If you have small, raised, itchy bumps on your stretch marks, you may have something called polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). It's harmless, but the itching is intense (ACD 2019). You may also see it called pruritic urticarial papules, and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP). PEP tends to start in late pregnancy, if you get it, but it can also happen just after the birth. The itching often starts in your stretch marks, or on your stomach, but it can spread to other areas, such as your thighs, back, breasts and arms (ACD 2019).

What does PEP look like?

You may get a rash that appears as: Advertisement | page continues below

raised areas, as if you've been stung by nettles (welts)
small, raised lumps (papules)
larger areas of inflamed skin (plaques)
small blisters that leak fluid if you scratch them, and then crust over (ACD 2019, DermNet 2017)

Depending on your skin colour, your rash may be red, brown, purple or grey. The rash itself is often enough for a GP or skin specialist to diagnose it. If they’re at all unsure, a skin sample and blood test can be taken. Experts don't know what causes PEP. But it's more likely to affect you if your skin has had to stretch a lot, perhaps because you're having twins, or if it's your first baby (Stefaniak et al 2022). The itching will settle down, but it may not stop until near the end of your pregnancy, or a few days or weeks after you've given birth (Stefaniak et al 2022, Ting and Nixon 2021). Although PEP isn't harmful, see your doctor so they can rule out other causes of itching that may need treatment.

How can I stop my stretch marks from itching?

Try having cool baths with an emollient added to the water, and use emollient creams and ointments afterwards. Wearing cool cotton clothes may also help (SAPPG 2020). If the itching and redness is intense, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or antihistamine (Ting and Nixon 2021). One type can also make you drowsy, which may help you to sleep at night if the itching is keeping you awake. Oral steroids may be used in very severe cases (Ting and Nixon 2021). Advertisement | page continues below Having PEP shouldn't affect your labour, though if it is severe, some women choose to have their labour induced (Ting and Nixon 2021). If you're using topical or oral steroids, you can safely breastfeed after your baby is born, as only a tiny amount would be present in your breastmilk (BAD 2021). But if you put the steroid cream on your nipples and that area, you'll need to wash it off before feeding. Find out more about other causes of itchy skin in pregnancy.Was this article helpful?

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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organisations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

ACD. 2019. Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). The Australasian College of Dermatology. www.dermcoll.edu.auOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022] BAD. 2021. Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). British Association of Dermatologists, Patient information leaflet. www.bad.org.ukOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022] DermNet. 2017. Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. DermNet on behalf of New Zealand Dermatological Society. www.dermnetnz.orgOpens a new window [Accessed September 2022] SAPPG. 2020. Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPP). South Australian Perinatal Practice Guideline www.sahealth.sa.gov.auOpens a new window. [Accessed September 2022] Stefaniak, A.A., Pereira, M.P., Zeidler, C. et al. 2022. Pruritus in Pregnancy. Am J Clin Dermatol 23, 231–246. Ting S, Nixon R. Assessment and management of itchy skin in pregnancy. 2021. Aust J Gen Pract 50:898-903. Sally Bathgate

Sally BathgateSally Bathgate works as a freelance health and medical writer, generating content for a variety of health providers and medical companies. Opens a new window Opens a new window Opens a new window

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