Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Eczema during pregnancy and breastfeeding

8-minute read

Key facts

  • Eczema is the most common skin condition in pregnancy.
  • Eczema usually gets better after you have your baby, but if you had eczema before you were pregnant, it may become worse.
  • Knowing what your triggers are and avoiding them where possible can help you manage your eczema symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
  • Looking after your skin health is an important part of treating eczema —using moisturiser is an important part of keeping your skin healthy.
  • Most eczema treatments (including steroid creams, antihistamines and light therapy) can be used while pregnant and breastfeeding.

What is eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition where there is damage to your skin because moisture leaves your skin, making it dry and scaly. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eruption of pregnancy.

It can be a long-term condition that gets better, but then comes back again later.

Eczema causes your skin to be more sensitive to irritants. It is not contagious.

What are the symptoms of eczema?

Eczema causes dry, scaly, itchy, red skin. It usually affects your face, wrists, ankles, elbow creases and the back of your knees.

Examples of eczema

Image of Eczema on fingers
Close up of eczema on arm skin

What causes eczema?

Atopy is a problem with the immune system that makes you more likely to have allergic conditions such as eczema, asthma and hayfever. People with atopy often have skin that is dry and sensitive.

You are more likely to have eczema if someone in your family has one of those conditions.

What are eczema triggers?

Eczema triggers are substances or conditions that tend to make your skin itchy, red, and irritated and cause an eczema flare-up.

Different people have different triggers.

There are some triggers you can’t avoid, such as:

  • weather changes
  • low humidity
  • other illnesses
  • stress

You may be able to avoid other triggers if they affect you. Some common triggers include:

  • making your skin too hot or being in rooms that are overheated
  • perfumes or scented products such as make-up, skin lotions and laundry powder
  • irritating materials such as wool, polyester or acrylic in your clothes
  • swimming in chlorinated pools
  • house dust mite, grasses, pollens or animal dander
  • washing your hands with water, soap, detergent or chemicals too often which can damage your skin’s protective barrier

Knowing what your eczema triggers are and avoiding them where possible is an important part of managing your eczema.

Examples of eczema

Image of Eczema on the back of the hand
Image of Eczema on the back of the hand and fingers

What happens if I get eczema during my pregnancy?

Eczema is the most common skin condition you can develop in pregnancy. Some people have symptoms of eczema for the first time during pregnancy, while others experience a flare-up during pregnancy. You are more likely to get eczema symptoms in the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy. If you had eczema before you were pregnant, you may notice it gets better or worse at any time during the pregnancy.

While eczema can be uncomfortable, there is no research that shows that eczema affects fertility, miscarriage, premature birth or birth differences. Your baby may be more likely to get eczema, asthma or hay fever if you or your baby’s close relatives have eczema.

How is eczema diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose eczema by examining your skin. They may take a small sample of your skin, known as a biopsy, to check under a microscope. Some doctors may ask you to have a blood test, which can show an increase in a protein called IgE that is associated with eczema, hay fever and asthma.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is eczema treated during pregnancy?

Eczema in pregnancy is treated by improving your skin health and treating the skin irritation.

You can improve your skin health by:

  • having one short shower a day and not making it too hot
  • using soap-free wash or bar and aqueous cream
  • drying off straight after your shower by patting dry with a towel
  • putting on an emollient (skin softener) once you are dry
  • using a thick cream-based or ointment-based moisturiser at least twice a day to protect and improve your skin barrier

Your doctor may recommend treating your skin irritation by using:

  • steroid creams or ointments over areas with eczema to reduce the redness, itch and swelling
  • oral antihistamines to reduce the itch — if you are having trouble sleeping because of the itch, ask your doctor if you can use an antihistamine at night that causes drowsiness
  • narrow bank ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy (light therapy)
  • steroid tablets, if your eczema is severe

If you take other medicines to treat your eczema you should speak to your doctor to check which ones are safe in pregnancy. Do this as soon as you start planning a pregnancy or when you find out you are pregnant. Some medicines don’t have enough safety data to be used in pregnancy.

Read more on medicines in pregnancy.

Will I still have eczema after my baby is born?

If you have eczema that started in pregnancy, it will usually get better after you have your baby. You will be more likely to have eczema, asthma or hay fever in the future, and it may come back in future pregnancies.

Can I get eczema while breastfeeding?

Yes, you can get eczema while you’re breastfeeding. If you have had eczema before pregnancy sometimes your eczema will get worse after giving birth to your baby, this may mean that you have eczema while breastfeeding.

How is eczema treated during breastfeeding?

You can use emollients, steroid creams or ointments and narrowband UVB phototherapy while breastfeeding. Some medicines do not have information on their safety while breastfeeding, so it’s important you speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your options.

If you have eczema around the areola or nipple, you can apply steroid creams or ointments to this area, but it is best to put it on after you finish one feed and wipe it off gently before you feed again.

Read more on using medicines while breastfeeding.

How can I prevent eczema flare-ups?

You can prevent eczema flare-ups by avoiding triggers, such as those listed above, or those you notice for yourself. You can also follow the recommendations listed above in the treatment section to keep your skin barrier in a good condition.

Resources and support

Mothersafe has a factsheet about eczema in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Call them on 1800 647 848 Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm (excluding public holidays) for advice on medicines in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: September 2023


Back To Top

Need more information?

ACD A-Z of Skin - Eczema in Pregnancy

A-Z OF SKIN Eczema in Pregnancy BACK TO A-Z SEARCH Also known as … Atopic Eruption of Pregnancy, Prurigo of Pregnancy, Pruritic Folliculitis of Pregnancy, Papular Dermatoses of Pregnancy

Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website

ACD A-Z of Skin - Prurigo of Pregnancy

A-Z OF SKIN Prurigo of Pregnancy BACK TO A-Z SEARCH Also known as … Atopic Eruption of Pregnancy, Eczema in Pregnancy, Pruritic Folliculitis of Pregnancy, Papular Dermatoses of Pregnancy

Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website

Skin changes during pregnancy - prurigo of pregnancy

Prurigo of pregnancy is an itchy rash that may develop during pregnancy. It usually appears in the first or second trimester.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Eczema and food allergy prevention - Prevent Allergies

Eczema and food allergy prevention Listen On this page Eczema & food allergy Using moisturisers There has been recent research looking into preventing eczema in babies and also preventing food allergies in babies who develop eczema

Read more on National Allergy Strategy website

Changes to your skin during pregnancy

As your pregnancy develops, you may find that you experience changes to your skin. Most of these changes will improve or after your baby is born.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Itching during pregnancy

Mild itching is common in pregnancy, but if the itching becomes severe it can be a sign of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Pregnancy - signs and symptoms - Better Health Channel

All women experience pregnancy differently, and you will experience different symptoms at different stages of your pregnancy.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

ACD A-Z of Skin - Melasma

A-Z OF SKIN Melasma BACK TO A-Z SEARCH What is it? Also known as … Also known as … Chloasma, Pigmentation of Pregnancy Melasma appears as patchy shades of brown pigmentation on sun exposed areas of the face

Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website

Common childhood rashes

Childhood rashes are common and many disappear without treatment. Learn about symptoms and treatment of childhood rashes, such as eczema, ringworm and impetigo.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Chickenpox - Better Health Channel

Chickenpox is highly contagious, but it is generally mild and gets better without the need for special treatment.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.