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Skin Conditions during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of changes in the hormonal growth of the body that may contribute to changes in the skin. As skin is the outermost layer of the body, even a minor change from the normal is evident. Special care should be taken during pregnancy to keep the skin healthy and glowing.

Many women often complain of dry skin due to over stretching. However, it is often taken as a normal part of pregnancy and no treatment is required. Nevertheless, some may also suffer from other skin conditions like herpes, itchy rashes, and mild discolouration.

Common skin conditions during pregnancy are as follows:

• Melasma is a condition caused due to hormonal imbalance in the body during pregnancy. It is characterized by a discolouration of the skin, mostly on the forehead, nose and the upper lip. The skin on these areas becomes darker in colour (looks like a tan), may be wrinkly, and may fall off easily. This condition may affect as many as seventy percent of all pregnant women, particularly those with darker complexions.

  The condition is usually observed at the end of the second trimester or the beginning of the third. It does not have a specific treatment, but exposure to the sun makes it worse. Thus, women suffering from melasma should prevent themselves against the sun by using potent sunscreens. In most cases, the marks disappear after the baby is born.

• Urticaria of pregnancy medically termed puerperal urticaria of pregnancy (PUP) is a condition of itchy rashes or hives that erupt generally in the third trimester of pregnancy. These rashes can be slightly or severely itchy, but usually vanish after delivery. Though they do not harm the mother or the baby, they are very irritating for the patient.
• Hives during pregnancy is generally soothed with ointments that provide relief. Calamine lotion is usually able to provide much relief. However, drugs are usually not prescribed during pregnancy, anti-histamines needs to be given for itching in some cases.
• Herpes gestationis is the herpes infection during pregnancy. It is characterized by the eruption of extremely itchy lesions on the skin that may be pus filled. This condition can take place anytime during the pregnancy but is most common during the second trimester. The rashes mostly start on the abdomen and, then, spread to other parts of the body.
• Acne and psoriasis: Acne, in people who are prone to it, usually worsens during pregnancy. Psoriasis, on the other hand, tends to progress during pregnancy, but may flare up after delivery. Acne during pregnancy is usually ignored. Some drugs may be given to treat psoriasis, but they have to be taken only under the physician's supervision.
• Varicose veins are one of the most common complaints of pregnancy. Due to overweight, most women develop varicose veins in their legs. Some may even have spider veins on their face and chest. They usually vanish after delivery.

Tips for skin care:
In addition to treat the medical conditions of the skin that may affect a pregnant woman, some basic skin care methods can be adopted that will help to maintain healthy skin tone.

Sleep well because a proper sleep pattern during pregnancy is one of the best ways to maintain good and healthy skin. As it is when a woman is pregnant, she gets tired easily.