Rashes That Occur During Pregnancy: During pregnancy, some women experience skin rashes. Pregnancy dermatosis is the medical term for this. The severity and duration of rashes can vary depending on the cause.
Hormone levels, skin stretching, genetics, and blood flow can all be factors.
This article discusses the symptoms and treatments for seven different types of rash that can occur during pregnancy. It also considers how people can manage their symptoms at home.
4 Types of Rashes That Occur During Pregnancy
A pregnant woman’s skin is more sensitive to the environment and this includes her skin. Pregnant women are more likely to develop a rash.
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There are three types of rashes that can occur during pregnancy:
Specific dermatitis (skin disorders, only occur in pregnant women)
The most common pregnancy-specific dermatosis is specific dermatosis, which occurs in one out of every 130 to 300 pregnancies. A Specific dermatosis-associated rash, characterized by intense pruritus, appears in the third trimester and usually begins on the abdomen, often along the striae. The disorder is more common in first pregnancies and multiple gestations, and there have been reports of familial occurrences.
Prurigo of Pregnancy
Prurigo of pregnancy is one among the rashes that occur during pregnancy, also known as cholinergic urticaria, only occurs in pregnant women and it’s caused by an allergic reaction to hCG levels
Prurigo is also a skin rash that is characterized by itchy, red, and scaly patches. The most common form of prurigo is called Prurigo nodularis. This form is also called nodular prurigo or lichen simplex chronicus.
The cause of this condition has not been identified but it can be related to other medical conditions such as lupus and psoriasis. One theory states that the condition might be caused by an autoimmune response to a type of bacteria found on the skin called Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).
Itching and Irritation without visible rashes
Pregnant women often experience itching and irritation without visible rashes. This is a common symptom during pregnancy. It is more common in the third trimester and usually goes away after delivery.
There are many causes of itching and irritation during pregnancy. Some of the most common reasons for the same are:
- Increased sensitivity to certain substances such as wool, detergents, or soaps;
- Hormonal changes that can cause dryness;
- Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis;
- Stress or anxiety;
- Changes in your immune system due to pregnancy hormones may affect how your body handles allergens and toxins.
Pregnancy Mask or Pregnancy Melasma
Pregnancy Melasma is a harmless skin condition that causes discoloration of the skin that is common among pregnant women.
Pregnancy Melasma or Pregnancy Mask occurs due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. This is a harmless condition but it can make you feel self-conscious as it darkens the skin, making it look blotchy and uneven.
It usually occurs in the middle of pregnancy and around delivery. Pregnancy Melasma is more common in dark-skinned people than it is in fair-skinned people, but it can happen to anyone with normal skin. Pregnancy Melasma is also called “mask of pregnancy” or “pregnancy mask”, because it appears as an even, light brown or dark brown mask that covers areas on your face where you have an increased amount of pigmentation, such as your nose and cheeks. This condition can affect any woman who had a child before and any woman who has been pregnant at some point.
The mask will gradually fade with time once you deliver your baby.