Dermatologic Changes in Pregnancy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Originally Published In
International Journal of Childbirth Education
Volume Number
31
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
30-40
Abstract
The hormonal and physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy can manifest with various dermatologic changes. Some of these changes include striae gravidarum, hyperpigmentation, and spider angiomas. However, there are also dermatologic changes that are specific to pregnancy, including pemphoi-goid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, atopic eruption of pregnancy, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. There are various treatments that may help alleviate the appearance and associated symptoms of these dermatologic changes, but many of these changes are temporary and will reverse after giving birth. Although most of these conditions are benign, it is important to note that two of these conditions -- pemphigoid gestationis and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy -- are associated with significant risk to the fetus.
