PREGNANCY & skin problems
Despite the joys of being pregnant and anticipating these new life changes, most women suffer from the physical changes on their skin during pregnancy.
These skin changes can be uncomfortable and physically undesirable.
They are often due to hormone levels fluctuating during pregnancy.
Common skin problems include: acne, pimples, red marks, and itchy skin on belly, but they usually disappear after delivery.
Some women might experience other skin problems such as stretch marks, hemorrhoids, or varicose veins.
Itchy belly, dry skin, dull hair… what can I do?
Generally speaking, if you want to prevent skin problems during your pregnancy, eat good food rich in nutrients, drink lots of water, and supplement your diet with essential fatty acids, folic acid, and a prenatal multi vitamin. This will help you to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Rub your skin regularly with moisturizing oils such as almond, jojoba, coconut, vitamin E or olive oil. Almond oil is very popular among pregnant women. This oil is high in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and contains naturally occurring Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and Vitamin E.
How can I prevent stretch marks?
Stretch marks are scars caused by stretching your skin for too long a period of time. They actually start reddish, turn purple, and gradually white as they flatten and fade. When the fibres in the dermis are pulled too much, that is to say when you are rapidly gaining or losing weight, it can cause scarring. This is why more than 90 per cent of pregnant women get them.
The majority of stretch marks appear on a woman's abdomen from about 6 months onward when her belly is rapidly expanding. They tend to be concentrated around the areas that store the most fat. Once they appear, they are permanent but become much less noticeable with time. The key to minimizing them is to take preventive measures!
If you have blond or red hair, have dry skin or are dehydrated, you're at a greater risk of developing them. Genetic factors also play a major role in whether or not you will get stretch marks. If your mother got them during pregnancy, you may be more likely to get them yourself. It also depends on how rapidly you put on weight during your pregnancy.
Nutrition & skin nutrients
Eat foods rich in antioxidants, zinc and in vitamin E and C.
You can supplement your diet with essential fatty acids and a prenatal multivitamin to keep your skin healthy. Also:
- Vitamin C and vitamin B strengthen cell walls
- Vitamin E improves tissue elasticity
- Vitamin A protects the cells (be careful not to take too much when you are pregnant)
- Silica is good for connective tissue
- Zinc increases tissue healing and regeneration
Herbs
- Aloe Vera gel or juice rebuilds scar tissue
- Horsetail strengthens skin elasticity
- Rose hip is rich in vitamin C
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathy is one of the safest healing approaches for yourself and your baby. Most of the classic homeopathic remedies do not cause any side effects, but they can be difficult to choose depending on your symptoms. Ask an experienced homeopath to choose the right remedies for better results with stretch marks.
Tissue salts
- Calc fluor promotes skin elasticity.
Other skin tips
- Try to keep your skin well-moisturized, beginning in the first trimester, to maintain tissue elasticity. Apply a mix of virgin olive oil, aloe vera gel, and liquid vitamin E all over the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Cocoa butter is also good to prevent stretch marks.
- If you gain weight slowly and no more than the recommended amount of weight, you may reduce the chance of getting stretch marks.
Varicose veins: how can I improve my blood circulation?
Varicose veins, also called ‘spider veins', are distended bluish veins below the surface of the skin. They can be itchy and painful, and may be accompanied by swelling of the feet and ankles. They are the result of malfunctioning valves in the veins which cause blood accumulation.
All kinds of pressure on the veins can cause varicose veins. Standing for prolonged periods of time, crossing your legs while sitting, or even hot weather can cause your veins to distend and as a result, your circulation becomes sluggish.
Nutrition & skin nutrients
- Black berries, cherries, garlic, ginger, onions are good food to eat
- Eat foods rich in fibre to increase bowel movements and prevent constipation
- Eat a diet that helps improve blood circulation: especially foods rich in vitamin E and C
Try to avoid:
- Saturated fats from red meat and Trans-fatty acids. This helps to keep your blood thin
- Refined carbohydrates
- Sugar, cheese, peanuts, tobacco, alcohol, salt, fried and junk food, ice cream
You can supplement your diet with essential fatty acids which reduce pain and keep blood vessels soft.
A prenatal multivitamin can also help because it contains vitamins and minerals needed to help prevent varicose veins from forming. Also:
- Vitamin C and vitamin B strengthen cell walls and help prevent blood clots
- Vitamin E improves circulation and tissue elasticity
- Vitamin A protects the cells
- Zinc plus copper promote healing
Herbal tea
Horsetail tea strengthens connective tissues in the veins and yarrow tea relieves the symptoms of heavy, tired legs.
Homeopathic remedy
Pulsatilla helps heal varicose veins after pregnancy.
Tissue salts
- Calc fluor helps with tissue elasticity
- Ferr phos heals tissues that have become inflamed
- Mag phos relieves leg cramps
External treatments
Horse chestnut (infusion or cream) can be applied topically, to improve circulation and strengthen the capillaries and veins. Results are usually apparent in three months.
Massage your legs twice a day with a mixture of cypress oil and witch hazel or safflower oil. You should not massage the veins directly, but instead the area around them and move in an upward motion towards the heart.
Bath your legs in white oak bark tea to help stimulate blood flow.
Other skin tips
- Exercise, especially leg exercises like walking, swimming, biking
- Don't stand for long periods, as it increases pressure to the veins. Avoid prolonged sitting as well. Don't cross your legs when sitting, as it interferes with circulation
- Walk barefoot whenever possible to improve blood circulation
- Avoid tight clothes
- Put your legs up at the end of the day, at least for one hour if you can, and elevate your feet off the bed four inches
- Apply a cold water rinse on your legs in the shower for several seconds
How can I deal with hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum. For many, hemorrhoids are an enormous embarrassment. But they really needn't be. Many people are affected by hemorrhoids at some time in their life, especially during pregnancy.
Hypertension and too much pressure on the rectal veins can also cause hemorrhoids. This is why hemorrhoids are often associated with pregnancy. It also depends on how rapidly you put on weight during your pregnancy.
Nutrition & skin nutrients
Eat a diet rich in fibre to increase bowel movement and relieve constipation.
You should also increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin E, C, and K to encourage blood circulation and foods rich in bioflavonoids to strenghten capillaries.
Alfalfa sprouts and kale also help relieve bleeding hemorrhoids.
It is also necessary to drink lots of water and eat small meals of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Try to limit your intake of:
- Saturated fats from red meat and Trans-fatty acids to keep your blood thin
- Salt because excess salt retains fluids in the circulatory system
- Sugar, cheese, peanuts, tobacco, alcohol, salt, fried and junk food, and ice cream
- Constipating foods such as red wine, chocolate, cocoa and black tea
You can supplement your diet with essential fatty acids and a prenatal multivitamin to keep your skin healthy. Also:
- Vitamin C and vitamin B strengthen capillaries
- Vitamin E improves blood circulation
- Vitamin A protects the cells (be careful not to take too much when you are pregnant)
- Pycnogenol scavenges free radicals
- Vitamin B6 can help if hemorrhoids come from a deficiency of this vitamin
- Probiotics can relieve the itchiness
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathy is one of the safest healing approaches for yourself and your baby. Hamamelis, collinsonia, and aloe could be used. However, ask an experienced homeopath to choose the right remedies for better results with hemorrhoids.
Tissue salts
- Calc fluor
- Ferr phos
- Mag phos
Other natural skin tips
- If you gain weight slowly and no more than the recommended amount of weight, you may reduce the chance of getting hemorrhoids.
- It is very important to maintain good hygiene and clean yourself gently.
- Exercise to promote blood circulation. However, avoid lifting and too much physical exercise.
- Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetic clothes.
- Hemorrhoids can be itchy, but do not scratch them since it can damage the walls of the veins.
- A bath in warm water helps to kill the pain while increasing the flow of blood. Vitamin E oil soothes the pain.
- Compresses of witch hazel can be applied to shrink blood vessels.
