Mom, have you ever wondered why your palms feel hot during pregnancy? Don’t panic, because this is a normal condition. Even so, you still need to know the causes and possible diseases that are indicated by hot palms.
Why Do My Palms Feel Hot During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a joy that women look forward to. However, each stage of pregnancy has a process. In early pregnancy, pregnant women experience hormonal changes such as nausea (morning sickness).
While at the beginning of the second month, usually the body temperature increases, marked by hot palms, the inside of the hands and the bottom of the feet feel itchy and are darker or reddish in color. Sometimes even sweating more until night.
Warm palms are actually a normal thing to experience during pregnancy. This is caused by changes in the body temperature of pregnant women, as well as hormones that increase during pregnancy. Especially when you have entered the second trimester .
As the days go by, the body adapts to the development of the fetus so that more blood is needed to carry food and oxygen to the baby. In fact, blood volume will increase by 50 percent by the 34th week of pregnancy.
Your heart will also work harder than usual. In the 8th week of pregnancy, the heart pumps blood 20 percent faster. The higher heart rate increases metabolism, which slightly increases the body temperature of the pregnant mother.
Blood vessels throughout the body will also dilate to send all the blood, and more blood will flow to the skin, which can cause the pregnant woman’s skin to turn red and feel warmer.
Medical research shows that excessive body heat during pregnancy can be dangerous for the baby. Therefore, the body temperature of pregnant women should not be more than 39°C. This can be too hot for the little one and can affect the baby’s development.
According to medical studies, heat stress can also cause problems in the development of the baby’s spinal cord and spine. These complications are called neural tube defects .
Types of Diseases That Cause Hot Palms
Although hot palms can be said to be normal and natural for pregnant women, mothers need to know some medical conditions with this symptom. No need to worry, because the possibility of pregnant women experiencing complications due to hot palms is very rare.
Here are some diseases with symptoms of hot palms.
1. Palmar erythema
Palmar erythema is a skin condition in which the palms of both hands or the soles of both feet turn reddish or darker in color. The skin in this area may also be itchy.
Palmar erythema can occur in about 30 to 60 percent of pregnant women. Typically about one-third of dark-skinned women and two-thirds of fair-skinned women experience palmar erythema during pregnancy.
The cause of palmar erythema is the same as the symptoms of pregnancy in general, which occurs due to changes in the hormones of pregnant women. Increased estrogen along with increased blood volume are possible causes.
However, the following factors can also cause palmar erythema:
- Drugs
- Skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis
- Diabetes mellitus
- Autoimmune conditions
- Thyroid gland problems
- HIV
Palmar erythema can cause changes in the skin on the palms of the hands, fingers, and sometimes on the bottom of the feet. In people with lighter pigmented skin, palmar erythema may appear as red or pink patches, while people with darker pigmented skin will have dark patches on the palms of their hands.
How to Prevent Palmar Erythema During Pregnancy?
There is no way to prevent palmar erythema during pregnancy, but it is best to avoid irritants that can worsen symptoms. Pregnant women with palmar erythema should avoid using harsh bar soaps or strongly scented lotions.
Also, do not use hand sanitizers containing alcohol because it can worsen the symptoms of palmar erythema. Activities that heat the hands and feet or require frequent immersion in water, such as washing dishes, taking a warm bath can also worsen symptoms. To prevent the appearance of palmar erythema, use gloves when doing these activities.
How to Treat Palmar Erythema During Pregnancy?
Actually, there is no specific treatment to cure palmar erythema, because this disease can disappear on its own after giving birth. Even so, there is an easy way to treat palmar erythema, by soaking your hands or feet in cold water or holding an ice pack for a few minutes several times a day.
If the itching on your palms or bottoms of your feet becomes unbearable or spreads to other parts of your body, consult a dermatologist about the next steps. Your doctor will usually advise you on what is safe to use to relieve itching during pregnancy.
2. Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is usually characterized by pain felt in various places in the body, as well as feeling tired. In some cases, fibromyalgia sufferers will experience a burning sensation in the hands and feet.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Difficulty getting good sleep and waking up not feeling rested
- Headache
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty focusing
- Development of irritable bowel syndrome with pain or aches in the lower abdomen
Fibromyalgia can be difficult for doctors to diagnose if the sufferer experiences widespread, ongoing pain that has no identifiable cause for three months or more.
3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes pain, tingling, or weakness in the hand and wrist. Whilecarpal tunnelitself is a wrist band that contains the median nerve and nine tendons that function to move the fingers. This part swells and puts pressure on the median nerve.
This nerve controls sensation and movement in the thumb and first three fingers. Swelling is common in pregnancy, especially in the hands and feet.
That’s why almost two-thirds of pregnant women are estimated to suffer from CTS, and it is more common in the third trimester. Although pregnancy can cause CTS, there are several other factors that may contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome .
Factors Causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :
- Overweight.
- Doing work or hobbies that involve repeatedly bending your wrist.
- Suffering from arthritis or diabetes.
- Hereditary factors.
- Ever injured my wrist.
For most pregnant women, CTS symptoms tend to be mild. However, in some cases, the pain and tingling can be severe. Even symptoms can get worse at night such as tingling and a tingling or burning sensation in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the side of the ring finger closest to the thumb or other symptoms that spread throughout the body.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :
- Pain in the fingers and thumb.
- Pain in the hands, forearms and upper arms.
- Stiff fingers or a weakened grip, especially in the thumb.
- Dry or swollen skin on the affected finger or thumb.
- Numbness in the fingers or palms.
Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome depends on how severe the pain is. You need to know what treatments are available for CTS.
4. Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy is a disease caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system or peripheral nervous system. One of the symptoms is a warm or burning sensation in the palms of the hands. However, there are also other symptoms that can trigger peripheral neuropathy , namely:
- Tingling in the hands or feet
- Sharp pain
- Numbness in hands or feet
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Feeling of heaviness in the arms or legs
- A buzzing or shocking sensation in the hands or feet
- Low blood pressure
- Erectile dysfunction
- Arms or legs feel like they can’t be moved
Genetic factors also play a role in the development of peripheral neuropathy , usually sufferers have a history of other diseases.
5. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSD), also called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), is a complex condition in which there is dysfunction in the nervous system and the immune system. This dysfunction is usually the result of injury or due to underlying disease, including stress, infection, or cancer.
While RSD most commonly occurs in the hands, it can also affect other parts of the body. It often makes the affected area feel warm to the touch and can even cause sweating.
Symptoms of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
- Pain
- Swelling
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Pale or red skin
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Stiff joints
Although this disease is quite dangerous for pregnant women, there are many options for treating RSD.
6. Erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgia or Mitchell’s disease is a rare peripheral vascular pain disorder in which blood vessels, usually in the lower extremities or hands, become episodically blocked and then become hyperemic and inflamed. It can sometimes even cause intense warmth or a painful burning sensation in the hands.
This disease is indeed rare in pregnant women, but the symptoms still need to be considered so that it can be prevented before it is too late. Symptoms of erythromelalgia include:
- Swelling
- Increased sweating
- Red or purple skin
While the exact cause of erythromelalgia is unknown, it may be related to certain blood vessels not widening or narrowing properly, which can affect blood flow to the arms and legs.
The pain and burning caused by erythromelalgia can be relieved with cooling techniques, such as putting your hands in cold water. In addition, there are also other treatments, such as:
- Raise hands.
- Avoid warm temperatures and hot water.
- Topical cream containing lidocaine.
- Consumption of medications such as calcium antagonists, tricyclic antidepressants, or antihistamine therapy.
Hot palms during pregnancy are not always dangerous, Mom. Although prolonged hot palms can trigger other diseases, this can be overcome.
Before consulting a doctor, you can do self-treatment. If symptoms do not go away or get worse, consult a medical professional immediately.
That’s some information about why the palms feel hot during pregnancy. Hopefully this information is useful, yes, Mom!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
