Skin Disease Treatment Guide

Itching and Skin Changes During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: What to Check First

Name: Itching and Skin Changes During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: What to Check First?
Published: 2026-08-25

Please provide information on your gestational age or breastfeeding status, the itchy areas, the presence of a rash, whether it worsens at night, and accompanying changes such as urine color or jaundice. Severe systemic itchingthat develops during pregnancy should not be viewed solely as a skin issue and may require an obstetric evaluation.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-25

We consider both the gestational age and the presence of a rash

We distinguish whether a pre-existing skin condition has worsened or if new itching has developed during pregnancy. If you experience systemic itching including the palms and soles, jaundice, or dark urine, please notify your obstetrician first.

Necessary treatments are not unconditionally postponed during pregnancy

Untreated inflammation and sleep disorders can also be a burden. The medical staff must review the necessity and safety of topical agents, oral medications, and Korean herbal medicine based on your pregnancy or breastfeeding status.

Please provide all OB/GYN test results and information on current medications

When planning Korean herbal medicine treatment, please share the results from your OB/GYN, dermatology prescriptions, and any supplements you are taking. You must share your current medication and usage history with every clinic you visit to accurately determine the sequence of concurrent treatments.

Eligibility for Korean herbal medicine treatment is determined after a medical evaluation

It is difficult to provide a single answer online regarding whether Korean herbal medicine treatment is possible during pregnancy or breastfeeding. A decision is made after confirming current symptoms, gestational age, previous treatments, and safety boundaries.

Check once more before your appointment

The priority clinic may vary depending on the gestational age and the location of the rash

You do not need to endure all symptoms just because you are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, gestational age, the presence of a rash, itching of the palms and soles, and systemic symptoms must be checked first.

Distinguishing between itching and rash

Check whether red skin changes appeared first, or if you have systemic itching with little to no visible skin changes. In particular, if itching on the palms and soles is severe or accompanied by jaundice or dark urine, you must notify your OB/GYN first.

Please prepare your gestational age, the itchy areas, and photos of the rash.

Report everything you are taking or using

List all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, ointments, health functional foods, and Korean herbal medicine in one list. Do not start new medications or arbitrarily stop existing ones based solely on online information claiming they are safe during pregnancy.

Bring the medication packaging and the daily dosage amount to your appointment.

Breastfeeding status is also included in the prescription decision

You must provide the baby's age, breastfeeding frequency, and whether you use a breast pump. For topical medications, we also check if they come into direct contact with the breasts or the baby's skin.

Share your current treatment plans from OB/GYN, pediatrics, and dermatology.

Preparing for Medical Evaluation During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Weeks of pregnancy or the baby's age in months
Presence of rash and itchy areas
Current medications, ointments, or health supplements
Information confirmed with your obstetrician/gynecologist

You can check the simple meaning first before proceeding to the detailed explanation

Skin Terms to Know in This Guide

PruritusPruritus refers to itching. This can include itching with distinct skin lesions as well as itching with few visible changes.Intrahepatic Cholestasis of PregnancyIf you experience severe itching during pregnancy, especially on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, with few visible rashes, it may be necessary to check for causes such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.UrticariaUrticaria is a condition characterized by itchy, swollen wheals. A key clue is whether the same lesion fades within a relatively short period of time.Topical TreatmentTopical treatment involves using medications applied directly to the skin. Usage varies depending on the ingredients, potency, application area, amount, and duration.

When herbal medicine treatment is the primary focus

We set the goals for herbal medicine treatment based on your previous treatments and when symptoms recurred

If skin symptoms persist or recur despite receiving necessary tests and treatments, and if this disrupts your sleep or daily life, we can plan a treatment centered on herbal medicine after reviewing your current skin changes and response to previous treatments.

Before the consultation

We ask where it appeared and when it worsened again

We examine the appearance and location of the skin lesions, the timing of flare-ups, and the response to medications used, along with overall bodily conditions that change simultaneously, such as sleep, digestion, and fatigue.

During treatment

We check if not only the itching, but also sleep and daily life are improving

In addition to visible changes in photos, we check the level of itching and pain, the frequency of waking up during the night, the interval between new skin changes, and your recovery of daily functioning.

Treatment sequence

We set the goals for herbal medicine treatment by identifying the problems that need to be resolved first

If there are causes that require immediate priority, such as infection or rapid worsening, those treatments come first. Subsequently, for herbal medicine treatment, we determine the primary goal of recovery by examining current discomfort, recurring patterns, sleep, digestion, and fatigue, and coordinate the sequence with necessary dermatological treatments.

While reducing aggravating factors through lifestyle management, herbal medicine treatment determines the initial target by analyzing the pattern of lesions, sleep, digestion, and fatigue through pattern identification (Byeonjeung). Necessary skin treatments are continued in accordance with the progress.

Consult about treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Before Your Visit

Is all itching during pregnancy considered pruritus of pregnancy?

No. There are several possibilities, including pre-existing eczema, hives, pregnancy-related skin changes, or hepatobiliary issues. Therefore, it is necessary to check for symptoms that appear along with a rash.

When should I mention that I am breastfeeding?

You should inform us from the very beginning, during the appointment booking and prescription review stages. Please also prepare information regarding the baby's age, breastfeeding frequency, and any medications you are currently taking or using.

Should I avoid all skin medications during pregnancy?

Not necessarily. The determination varies depending on the medication, the affected area, the amount used, and the gestational age. Please consult with your medical provider to choose the necessary treatment.

Should I notify my obstetrician even if only my palms and soles are itchy?

Itching of the palms and soles during pregnancy intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancymay need to be evaluated. Please contact your obstetrician first, especially if the itching worsens at night or is accompanied by jaundice or dark urine.

Conditions and Guidance Related to My Symptoms

Condition GuidancePruritus in PregnancyItching during pregnancy can occur due to stretching skin or rashes such as eczema or PUPPP. However, if you experience severe itching at night, including the palms and soles, without a rash, you must check for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Red papules or urticarial plaques starting near stretch marks on the abdomen and spreading to the thighs and buttocks are clues for PUPPP. If you experience severe itching, jaundice, dark urine, or decreased fetal movement, contact your obstetrician immediately.Condition GuidanceAtopic DermatitisAtopic dermatitis is not confirmed by a single blood test or allergy test. In dermatology, the process centers on observing the appearance and distribution of dryness, itching, and rashes, as well as inquiring about the onset, the course of improvement and worsening, sleep disturbance, response to previous treatments, and exposure to irritants such as soap, detergents, scented products, and smoke. Medical history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or hay fever for yourself and your family is also reviewed. In many cases, a physical skin examination and medical history are sufficient; blood tests or skin biopsies are selected when other causes of rashes must be ruled out. Symptoms, distribution, and progression are interpreted together rather than relying on a single test result.Condition GuidanceUrticariaThe representative symptom of urticaria (hives) is itchy wheals that suddenly appear. They may appear as round bumps, wide plaques, or linear shapes and can merge together; depending on skin tone, they may look red, pink, or similar to the surrounding skin color. A single wheal usually disappears within a day, but new skin changes appear in other locations, making the rash feel as if it is moving. In addition to itching, it may sting or burn, and angioedema, swelling of deeper skin layers such as the eyelids, lips, hands, and feet, may accompany it. Swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness, or a feeling of fainting require immediate emergency assistance.Differential Diagnosis GuideDistinguishing Chronic Pruritus, Urticaria, and Eczema when itching occurs without visible lesionsChronic pruritus may present without clear rashes from the start, leaving only dryness or scratch marks. Urticaria is characterized by short-lived wheals (swelling), while eczema is identified by surface changes that persist for several days or more.

Evidence and Update Information

The following materials were referenced for the differential diagnosis of similar skin diseases and the criteria for continuing existing treatments. The direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment is determined by examining these alongside skin patterns, sleep, and general systemic condition.

NIAMS Atopic Dermatitis GuideInformation on itching, skin barrier, recurrent courses, and infection risks was verified.
American Academy of Dermatology Urticaria GuideThe course of wheals and urgent accompanying symptoms were verified.