©Pregnancy bliss 2008

Skin disorders in pregnancy

 

Introduction

Skin disorders are rather common in pregnancy. Whilst in most cases these remain innocuous, in some instances, the problem can be quite difficult and distressing. Many women have had labor induced to rescue them from severe itching that is not relieved by anything thrown at it.

 

Itching is not the only problem, even though it may be the most common (affecting one in six pregnancies). Other problems include a localized or generalized rash, which may or may not itch.

 

Pre-existing skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis and SLE can take a new significance in pregnancy.  These conditions can behave in all sorts of ways. Take psoriasis, for example. It could remain the same, improve with pregnancy or get dramatically worse, to the point of necessitating termination of the pregnancy.

 

Other conditions are specific to pregnancy and are not encountered at any other time. They may actually recur with each pregnancy.

 

And, of course, there are stretch marks - something that can cause near panic for prospective first-time mothers. We have explained all these clearly in this section.

 

Skin changes during pregnancy

 

Practically every pregnant woman notices some form of skin changes, either localized or generalized. Most of these are minor and are immediately recognizable as pregnancy-associated changes and therefore cause no alarm.

 

However, some women who have pre-existing chronic skin disorders may notice some changes in these. Others develop skin disorders for the first time in pregnancy. We shall expand on this shortly.

 

Psoriasis and SLE in Pregnancy: Next Page