Skin changes during pregnancy
By Dr Lina Malek
Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy, and your skin is no exception. You may experience any of these common skin changes during pregnancy:
1. The Glow
The glow that others notice is one of the most common skin changes during pregnancy. This facial shine actually has a biological basis. The increased volume of blood causes the cheeks to take on an attractive blush, because of the many blood vessels just below the skins surface. The increased secretions of the oil glands also give the skin a waxy sheen. The flushed face on many pregnant women is similar to the one non-pregnant people experience when they are excited or do anything that increases heart rate.
2. The Mask
Sometimes, during the second trimester you may find yourself gazing at a different face in the mirror. Brownish or yellowish patchy skin changes during pregnancy called chloasma, also known as mask of pregnancy, can appear anywhere on the face, but is seen most commonly on the forehead, upper cheeks, nose and chin. The pregnancy hormones stimulate the melanin cells in the skin to produce more pigment, and because these cells do not produce extra pigment uniformly, your facial skin may acquire a blotchy tan. You can minimise the intensity of these by limiting your exposure to ultraviolet light (i.e. sunshine) which further stimulates melanin production.
3. Acne
You probably thought your pimple days were over, but one of the skin changes during pregnancy you can expect is acne. While the acne of pregnancy is rarely as severe as that of adolescence, you may need to return to some of your teenage cleansing rituals. These will subside shortly after delivery. Avoid abrasive scrubs or exfoliants _ pregnant skin is too sensitive. Because of the risk of birth defects, the anti-acne prescription drugs Accutane and Retin-A cannot be used during pregnancy.
4. Linea nigra
Many women normally have a faint linea alba (white line) running from their navel to the centre of their pubic bone. It is barely visible before pregnancy. One of the skin changes during pregnancy that occurs sometime in the second trimester is the turning of the linea alba to linea nigra, a dark line that is much more noticeable. In some women the line extends upward from the navel as well.
5. Red palms and soles
Even as early as the second month of pregnancy, the insides of your hands and the bottoms of your feet may itch and take on a reddish hue called palmar erythema. The increased colour is nothing more than one of the curious skin changes during pregnancy.
6. Spider veins
Those much-discussed pregnancy hormones, along with increased blood volume, cause those tiny, squiggly red or purple capillaries just below the surface of the skin to branch out and become more visible during pregnancy. Known as nevi, it can be removed using injections if you feel that is necessary.
7. Skin tags
Some pregnant women develop tiny polyps called skin tags. These usually occur in areas where the skin rubs on clothing or skin rubs together. Commonly found under the arms, between neck folds, or under bra lines on the chest, skin tags are caused by hyperactive growth of a superficial layer of skin. They disappear a few months following delivery, but can be easily excised if they bother you.
8. Heat rash
Caused by the combination of an already overheated pregnant body, dampness from excessive perspiration and the friction of skin rubbing against itself or against clothing, prickly heat rash is pimply and slightly irritating. It is most common in the crease between and beneath the breasts, in the crease where the bulge of the lower abdomen rubs against the top of the pubic area, and on the inner thighs.
9. Itchy skin
Many women enjoy a good scratch down at the end of the day. Some areas of your skin may itch because they are dry and flaky, others may itch because of a prickly rash, as mentioned above. Many women find the itching is most bothersome in the skin that stretches, mainly over the abdomen, also on hips and thighs.
10. Pimply Eruptions
Around one percent of pregnant women experience itchy, red, raised patches on their abdomen, thighs, buttock, and extremities. This condition is called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. It tends to come and go during the second half of pregnancy and nearly always disappears shortly after delivery. Treat this same as any other itchy skin eruption.
The writer is a consultant dermatologist at Vibes Healthcare Ltd.
