SKIN CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY
COMMON DERMATOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS DURING PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a physiological event and skin being a dynamic organ, variety of skin changes can be seen during pregnancy.Some of the commonest one,usually harmless, are mentioned here and how one can help to overcome them.
SKIN CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY INCLUDES:
1) Stretch marks(Striae)
2) Skin tags
3) Changes in hair growth
4) Acne vulgaris
5) Pregnancy glow
6) Generalised hyperpigmentation
7) Accentuation of moles & freckles
1) What are stretch marks(striae)?
Stretch marks are linear lesions that most often develop over the breasts,hips,abdomen & thighs. They begin as reddish purple lines and with time,they become white atrophic(cigarette paper like wrinkled) scars.Stretch marks are common in pregnancy and it occurs in 50 to 90% of pregnant women.
Do stretch marks cause any symptoms?
Most of the times they are aymptomatic but rarely may cause burning and itching.
What causes stretch marks in pregnancy and who gets them?
The exact mechanism of development of stretch marks is still not fully understood.It is commonly thought to be caused by rapid weight gain and subsequent overstretching of the skin;though not proven.
Stretch marks are often seen in more than one family member.A personal history(e.g.appearance of striae during teens),race(more common in Africans compared to Caucasians)and other genetic factors play part in the development of stretch marks.They are more frequently seen in young women who are overweight and have large babies.
When do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?
Usually stretch marks begin to appear around 25th week of pregnancy,although some women may develop even earlier.
Is there any health risk if stretch marks are present?
No there are no risks associated with stretch marks. However they may look cosmetically unpleasant and may cause emotional distress.
What happens to stretch marks after delivery?
Most of the stretch marks fade of its own after delivery.
Can stretch marks be treated or prevented?
There are no good and satisfactory proven treatments to treat or prevent stretch marks.Many therapies are done empirically and may offer some benefit in few cases.
Olive oil massage,castor oil,cocoa butter soothing,glycolic or fruit acids,homeopathic creams and/or oils are used with little effects.Many expensive and painful treatments are often tried without any outcome and hence is not recommended.
Daily massage of the skin with simple moisturizer may be tried
Post pregnancy retinoids can be used as they help to fade stretch marks-however they are absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy because of their potential harmful effect on foetus. LASER treatment (585 nm flashlamy-pulsed dye laser) may be effective in some cases.
2) SKIN TAGS(ACROCORDON):
Skin tags are very small 1-5 mm,loose,polyp like,skin coloured growths of skin that usually appear in underarms,neck or breasts.The increased incidence of skin tags during pregnancy is hormonally induced at areas exposed to mechanical irritation.They may disappear after delivery.However if they persists, can easily be removed by electrocautery,radiofrequency or CO2 LASER.
3) CHANGES IN HAIR GROWTH:
During pregnancy more hair goes into the resting phase,a particular part of the normal hair cycle.This causes diminished shedding of the hair and is perceived as hair thickening by patient.Three months after delivery the hair cycle normalizes causing temporarily more hair loss in many women.This is known as Telogen Effluvium.This process is usually completed in 6-12 months after delivery.Thereafter the hair will usually be the same as before pregnancy.
Pregnant women may sometimes experience male pattern hair growth like in beard region.This phenomenon is also related to hormonal change.It tends to disappear in few months after delivery.
4) ACNE VULGARIS:
The increased levels of female hormones during pregnancy usually improves acne. But there may be worsening of acne in some patients.
5) PREGNANCY GLOW:
During pregnancy the blood circulation of the skin is significantly increased which causes face to be brighter.The increased production of hormones may stimulate glands that produce sebum resulting in shiny face.”Pregnancy glow” is an old fashioned phrase to describe this phenomenon.
If patient feels skin too oily,an oil free cleanser or a mild alcoholic (50-70%) solution containing salicylic acid(1-3%) for cleansing the face can be used.Cold and warm water may also be used.
6) GENERALISED HYPERPIGMENTATION:
Increased skin pigmentation is common during pregnancy particularly in dark skinned women in whom up to 90% may be affected.There is darkening of nipples,genitalia and linea alba will develop.In some women recent scars will darken.The unsightly and sometimes distressing facial pigmentation called melasma or chloasma also known as ‘Mask of pregnancy’affects many women.It gets worse with sunlight and can be reduced by the use of High Sun Protective Factor UVB & UVA sunscreens.It usually disappears after pregnancy by itself,if not it may be treated by Dermatologists.
BY:
DR CHETAN LALSETA
M.D.(Skin & V.D.)
CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST & COSMETOLOGIST
“C POINT”—A UNIT OF MCSPL COMPANY
SHRADDHA HOSPITAL,INDIRA CIRCLE CHOWK,
RAJKOT-04
9825199585