Skin changes that occur during pregnancy

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Skin changes that occur during pregnancy

Skin changes are common during pregnancy. The cause of these skin changes is not fully understood, but they are probably caused by increasing levels of pregnancy hormones. You can reduce skin pigment changes during pregnancy by using sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure. Most skin changes that occur during pregnancy are not serious and go away after delivery.

Changes in skin pigment that frequently occur include:

• Dark patches on the face (chloasma). Known as the "mask of pregnancy," this usually fades after delivery.
• Darkening of the area around the nipples (the areola).
• A dark line on the skin (linea nigra) between the navel and the pubic area. Linea nigra fades after delivery.

Other skin changes that may occur during pregnancy include:

• Redness on the palms of the hands. In some women, the red areas also itch.
• A red, raised rash that itches (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy [PUPPP]). PUPPP is not a serious condition and does not cause problems for your baby. PUPPP usually goes away on its own within a week after birth.
• Tiny, red raised areas (vascular spiders or angiomas) on the face, neck, chest, and arms.
• Dry, blotchy skin and acne.
• Stretch marks, which are lines on the skin that may appear late in pregnancy. Stretch marks appear in about half of all pregnant women.
  • Stretch marks look like slightly indented pink, red, dark, or white streaks, depending on the color of the skin.
  • Stretch marks are most common on the abdomen, but they can also develop on the breasts, thighs, buttocks, and hips.
  • Creams or oils, such as vitamin E oil, or other treatments have not been shown to prevent stretch marks.
  • Weight gain during pregnancy does not seem to cause stretch marks. Some women who gain little weight during pregnancy can develop stretch marks.
  • Although stretch marks never go away, they fade to a lighter color and become less obvious after delivery.

Most skin changes that occur during pregnancy are a normal part of pregnancy and become less noticeable or go away after delivery. If you are concerned about skin changes you are having, discuss these changes with your health professional at your next scheduled appointment.

Credits

Last updated:	July 10, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer