Skin Changes During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of great change for your body—and that can include changes in how your skin looks and feels, too. In this sheet you will find helpful information on the many ways being pregnant can affect your skin.
Pregnancy is a time of great change for your body—and that can include changes in how your skin looks and feels, too. Below you will find helpful information on the many ways being pregnant can affect your skin. Often these changes are due to the increased hormones your body makes during this time.
If you have any questions about your skin during your pregnancy, contact your care team. They can examine you and address any concerns you have.
Acne
What it is: Pimple breakouts can occur during pregnancy, even if you never had acne before. And any acne issues you may have had before can get a bit worse now.
When it occurs: First trimester
Why it happens: Higher levels of the hormone progesterone occur in the first trimester. This makes your glands produce more oil. The extra oil can clog up your pores and lead to bacteria buildup, which causes acne.
What you can do: Many acne medicines are not safe to take during pregnancy. Talk with your care team to see what they advise. In the meantime, treat your skin gently by:
Washing your face with a mild cleanser in the morning at night. Don’t scrub your skin.
Rinsing with lukewarm water, not hot water
Using oil-free moisturizers and makeup
Changes in moles
What they are: Any existing moles you have may get darker or larger as your belly and breasts expand during pregnancy. You may also have new moles.
When they occur: Any time during pregnancy
Why they happen: Experts think this is due to hormonal changes
Are they serious: These changes are often harmless. But any changes in moles should be checked by your care team.
How long do they last: These changes often go away once you give birth.
What you can do: Do regular mole checks. Call your doctor if you notice changes in mole size, shape, or color.
Cholestasis
What it is: Very itchy or dry skin that occurs without a rash. This may occur on your palms or the bottom of your feet. But it can happen in other parts of the body too.
When it occurs: Third trimester, but may start earlier
Why it happens: This is a liver condition that occurs when you are pregnant. The liver makes a substance called bile. This normally goes from the liver to the small intestine. But with this condition the bile is blocked. It goes into your skin instead.
Is it serious: It may raise your risk for preterm birth. In rare cases it can cause stillbirth.
How long does it last: It often goes away a few days after you give birth. But you may have it in future pregnancies too.
What you can do: Call your doctor if itching is severe or does not go away. You may have a blood test done for diagnosis. If you have cholestasis, you and your fetus will be watched closely for the rest of the pregnancy. Your care team may advise an early delivery by cesarean section. And they may advise medicine for the itching.
Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation):
What it is: Parts of the skin may become darker. This often occurs around the nipples, areolas and inner thighs. Or you may have a dark vertical line on your belly, from the navel to the pubic area (called linea nigra).
When it occurs: By the second trimester
Why it happens: High levels of certain hormones like progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy
Is it serious: No
How long does it last: Usually fades after delivery
What you can do: Use sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun.
Melasma (pregnancy mask)
What it is: Patches of darkened skin, often on the cheeks and forehead. The patches can look a bit like a mask.
When it occurs: Second and third trimesters
Why it happens: Higher levels of melanin
Is it serious: No, but you may not like how it looks
How long does it last: The patches often fade away after you give birth. But some areas may never fully go away.
What you can do: Protecting your skin from the sun can stop these dark patches from getting worse. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen even when it’s cloudy outside. Talk with your doctor if the condition doesn’t go away after delivery. They can advise you about skin-lightening creams, oral medicine, and treatments such as chemical peels and laser or light therapy.
Palmar erythema
What it is: Red, blotchy spots on the palms of the hands. They may be itchy. These spots are often first seen on the bottom (heel) of the palm. But they can also spread to the fingers.
When it occurs: First trimester
Why it happens: In most cases, it’s caused by high estrogen levels during pregnancy.
Is it serious: Not serious, unless it is linked to an underlying health condition
How long does it last: Usually fades after pregnancy, once estrogen levels go back to normal
What you can do: Let your doctor know if your palms stay red for a few days, or if they are very itchy. Your doctor can make sure this is not caused by another condition. And they can advise you on anti-itch medicines that are safe to take.
Pemiphoid gestationis
What it is: A rare condition that causes blisters on the belly. Some people may have blisters over a larger part of the body.
When it occurs: Second or third trimester, or in some cases right after delivery
Why it happens: Experts think it’s an autoimmune disorder
Is it serious: It can be. You may be at a higher risk of pregnancy problems like preterm birth. Or of having a baby who is smaller than average. In some cases the baby may be born with blisters too. But these may only last for a few weeks.
How long does it last: The blisters will go away over time. But this condition can happen again during a future pregnancy.
What you can do: If you have blisters, see your doctor for a diagnosis. They will watch you and your fetus closely. They may also advise medicines to take for the blisters.
Prurigo of pregnancy
What it is: Very tiny, itchy raised bumps that can appear anywhere on the body
When it occurs: Anytime during pregnancy
Why it happens: It may occur because of changes in the immune system during pregnancy
Is it serious: No, but it can be very uncomfortable
How long does it last: Often lasts for a few months after giving birth
What you can do: Call your doctor for anti-itch medicines and other options such as antihistamines.
PUPPP (Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy)
What it is: A red, itchy rash made up of small, raised red bumps. It often starts on the belly. It may spread to the breasts, buttocks, and thighs.
When it occurs: Later in pregnancy
Why it happens: Experts don’t know
Is it serious: No, but the itching can be uncomfortable
How long does it last: Usually goes away after you give birth
What you can do: If the itching is bothering you, see your doctor. They can prescribe some anti-itch medicine for relief.
Skin tags
What they are: Small, soft, flesh-colored growths. They often appear in skin folds. Or in places where other skin or clothing rubs against the skin.
When they occur: Anytime during pregnancy
What causes them: Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Are they serious: No
How long do they last: They may go away after delivery, but sometimes they last for a while afterward.
What you can do: Don’t try to remove them yourself. This can lead to bleeding or infection. If they don’t go away after your baby is born, or if they become irritated, see your doctor. They can remove them safely.
Stretch marks
What they are: Pink, reddish, or dark streaks that may appear on the belly, breasts, hips, or thighs. They can occur as the skin in these areas stretches during pregnancy. They may also be itchy.
When they occur: Second and third trimesters
Why they happen: Stretch marks can happen any time there is a quick weight gain or weight loss. They can also be caused by hormonal changes.
Are they serious: No
How long do they last: They generally fade in color over time, but may not go away
What you can do: Talk with your doctor. There are some treatments available, such as medicated creams, light and laser treatments, and microdermabrasion. But not all are safe to use when pregnant.
Spider veins
What they are: Tiny red veins that typically appear on your face, arms, neck, and upper chest. They are painless.
When they occur: First or second trimester
Why they happen: Hormonal changes and increased blood circulation
Are they serious: No
How long do they last: May fade after pregnancy but sometimes can be permanent
What you can do: If spider veins don’t go away after your pregnancy, talk with your doctor. Laser surgery to remove them may be an option.
Varicose veins
What they are: Large, blue, swollen veins that appear on your legs. They can also occur in the genital area or the rectum. They may feel sore, itchy, and uncomfortable.
Why they occur: They are often hereditary. So if your mother or grandmother had them, you are more likely to have them.
When they happen: Second or third trimester
Are they serious: Not often serious, but they can be painful
How long do they last: In most cases, they go away a few months after your baby is born
What you can do: Call your doctor if you have any concerns. To help ease your symptoms:
Don’t stand or sit for a long time
Don’t sit with your legs crossed
Keep your legs raised (elevated) when resting
Wear compression stockings
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