Skin Problems during Pregnancy
August 21, 2008
A woman passes through mental, physical, and emotional stages during pregnancy. The woman is preparing to take up responsibilities as a parent, which is obviously emotional and mental for her. She is also experiencing physical changes relative to her body movements, functions, and shapes. The society believes that a pregnant woman always gleam and glow during pregnancy, but always, it is not so. The skin problems in women are one of the most apparent problems during pregnancy.
The skin acts as a window to a pregnant woman’s health, and other various transformations happening inside her. Rashes, stretch marks, acne, hair growth, breaking nails, and dark marks on the women’s skin are often observed during pregnancy. Majority of the transformations are straightaway connected to high hormonal changes in a woman while pregnancy. Various types of changes whilst pregnancy has an impact on the women’s skin, which results in fresh skin problems, or aggravate the existing skin problem. The main ten skin problems during pregnancy are listed below.
1. Rashes: Due to skin’s irritation, rashes are formed. PUPPP is the most common rash noticed during pregnancy. It initiates at the abdomen, and spreads towards breasts, thighs, arms, and buttocks.
2. Oily skin: When there is an increase in androgen level, production of sebum is hiked, which results in oily skin. The skin becomes oilier if the sebum production is more. When a pregnant woman complains of their hair and skin getting oilier, it can be controlled through the use of cleansers meant for this purpose.
3. Acne: This skin condition is very versatile. It may fade out or may worsen whilst pregnancy. The intensity of acne depends on the hormonal effects, resulting in clearer skin for some, or more breakouts for others.
4. Spider angiomas: These are very small blood vessels which assemble at a point, and spreads out. Spider angiomas are noticed in faces, chests, arms, and in other parts of the body too. After pregnancy, spider angioma vanishes.
5. Stretch marks: When the stretching of the under-layers during pregnancy occurs, it results in stretch marks being noticed in breasts, tummy, and thighs. Moisturizing of the skin facilitates in reducing stretch marks.
6. Excess hair: Hair growth in chin and lips are noticed. Increase of male hormones is the cause of excess hair growth.
7. Chloasma: Due to surplus pigmentation, the skin becomes darker, which results into Chloasma. Prescribed sunscreen during pregnancy can reduce the probability of Chloasma.
8. Skin tags: These are small portion of skin which grows on the neck and droop down.
9. Atopic dermatitis: During severe skin itchiness, excessive scratching results red skin, cracked or swollen.
10. Brittle nails: It can be controlled by the use of a nail hardener polish, but the doctor needs to be consulted before its application.
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It was very interesting to finally learn that the term Chloasma describes something I have long wondered about in pregnancy. I had this problem with both my children and didn’t understand what it was.
Cleansing and moisturizing is important at any time but more so during pregnancy. Use of non-chemical cleansers, toners and moisturizers is very important so that the baby is protected from possible dangerous chemicals.