Pregnancy and skin

Skin changes occur in about 90 % pregnant women in one form or the other. The various skin changes maybe either physiological (hormonal), changes in pre-existing skin diseases or development of new pregnancy-specific dermatoses. All of these dermatoses can be attributed to the profound hormonal, vascular, metabolic, and immunological changes occurring during pregnancy.

Pregnancy-specific dermatoses have now been classified into dermatoses which are definitively associated and dermatoses with uncertain association with pregnancy. Though most of these skin dermatoses are benign and resolve in postpartum period, a few can risk fetal life and require antenatal surveillance. Most of the dermatoses of pregnancy can be treated conservatively but a few require intervention in the form of termination of pregnancy.

Careful history taking and examination will help us to identify each condition clinically and appropriate management can be instituted for the well-being of the mother and the fetus.