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Common Skin Problems in Pregnancy
Changes in
hormone levels during pregnancy can
produce a wide variety of changes in
the skin, many of which are
unavoidable. Most of these skin
changes disappear on their own after
childbirth. Pregnant women face many
potential common skin changes,
including stretch marks (striae),
acne, a dark vertical line on the
belly (linea nigra), darkening of
many other skin areas (such as the
area around the nipples, inner
thighs and vulvae, and of
pre-existing freckles and moles),
mild itching, minor nail changes,
morning facial swelling, red or
itchy palms, and small dilated blood
vessels (telangiectasias, or spider
veins) of the face, neck, chest, and
arms.
In some women,
more prominent changes or problems
occur during pregnancy. Changes in
moles are common in pregnancy, but
these changes often raise concern as
to whether they are due to a
transformation to a cancerous mole
(melanoma), as one of the most
common signs of melanoma is a
changing mole. In addition to moles
changing, small growths may occur
and some viral infections (warts and
molluscum) may worsen. Another
common problem during pregnancy is
the development of melasma, also
known as the mask of pregnancy, with
patchy, brown marks on the face.
Occasionally, the genetic tendency
to hair loss may be accelerated by
the hormonal stresses of pregnancy.
Swelling in the legs may lead to
skin changes there (stasis
dermatitis) as well as enlarged
veins (varicose veins).
Some skin
conditions during pregnancy might
require medical attention. These
include severe itchiness with or
without a rash; changes in the
color, shape, or size of a mole; or
sudden weight gain of 5 pounds or
more with puffiness of the eyelids,
which could mean that you are
retaining too much fluid and have
high blood pressure.
(Click any of
the images below to learn more about
what skin changes are common during
pregnancy)
Best Matches - Click a disease below
to see additional images and learn
more.
Mole (Nevus):
A mole (nevus) is a non-cancerous
(benign) skin lesion that is made up
of the color-producing
(pigment-producing) cells of the
skin (melanocytes). A mole that is
present at birth is referred to as a
congenital…
Hair Loss, Female Pattern
Baldness (Female Pattern Alopecia):
Female pattern baldness (alopecia)
is a form of hair loss affecting
women due to an inherited
susceptibility. It is most commonly
noticed after menopause, although it
may begin earlier.
Stasis Dermatitis: Dermatitis
is a term used to describe
irritation of the skin with scaling,
rough or dry skin, redness, itching,
and sometimes oozing, crusts, and
erosions. Stasis is a term used to
describe leg swelling seen in…
Pyogenic Granuloma: Pyogenic
granuloma is a common, benign growth
that often appears as a rapidly
growing, bleeding bump on the skin
or inside the mouth. It is composed
of blood vessels and may occur at
the site of minor injury.
Melasma:
Melasma is a non-cancerous (benign)
disorder of unknown cause that
causes dark (hyperpigmented)
patches, primarily on the face. The
condition is marked by brown patches
that worsen in response to increases
of the…
Molluscum
Contagiosum: Molluscum is a
common painless and usually harmless
viral infection of the skin.
Although it is painless and usually
goes away after several months, some
cases can last a few years.
Telangiectasia: Telangiectasias
are widely open (dilated) blood
vessels in the outer layer of the
skin. When seen on the legs, they
are often called spider veins.
Varicose
Veins (Varicosities): Varicose
veins (varicosities) are twisted,
enlarged veins at the skin surface.
The word comes from the Latin word
varix, which means "twisted."
Linea Nigra:
Linea nigra is a dark vertical line
that appears on the belly during
pregnancy. It can extend from the
top of the belly to the pubic area,
running through the center of the
belly button, or the line can be
shorter.…
PUPPP (Pruritic
Urticarial Papules Plaques of
Pregnancy): Pruritic urticarial
papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP)
is the most common skin condition of
pregnancy. Typically, women affected
by PUPPP develop red, itchy bumps on
the belly near stretch marks…
Stretch
Marks of Pregnancy (Striae of
Pregnancy): Striae gravidarum,
stretch marks in pregnancy, occur in
about 90% of all pregnant women.
They are primarily due to the rapid
rate at which the skin is being
stretched, combined with the
influence of hormones.
(Thanks: http://www.skinsight.com/diseaseGroups/pregnancy.htm) |
