[Specific dermatoses of pregnancy]

Dermatoses related to pregnancy or the postpartum period are known as the specific dermatoses of pregnancy. These dermatoses include (a) pemphigoid gestationis (synonym: herpes gestationis), (b) polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (synonym: pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy; PUPPP), (c) prurigo of pregnancy and (d) pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy. Of these disorders, only pemphigoid gestationis has a known cause: an allogeneic immune reaction of the mother to the placental basal membrane. Itching or an itchy skin eruption is often the main symptom ofa dermatosis of pregnancy. During the diagnostic process, the possibility of a pre-existing or de novo skin disorder unrelated to the pregnancy should be considered. Correct diagnosis is important for the choice of treatment and for the prognosis of mother and child, because some dermatoses of pregnancy, such as pemphigoid gestationis, constitute a health risk.