Common Skin Changes During Pregnancy

EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY Information Leaflet for Patients

COMMON SKIN CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY

The aim of this leaflet This leaflet is designed to help you understand more about skin changes during pregnancy. It tells you about some of the most common, usually harmless but sometimes unpleasant skin changes, and explains what you can do to help them. COMMON SKIN What are common skin changes during pregnancy? Skin changes during pregnancy include: CHANGES 1. stretch marks (striae) DURING 2. skin tags 3. changes in hair growth PREGNANCY 4. spider veins and varicose veins 5. darkening of areas of your skin (melasma or cloasma) 6. pimple breakouts (acne) - information in a separate leaflet 7. darkening of moles and freckles - information in a separate leaflet.

What are stretch marks (striae)? What are skin tags (fibroma Stretch marks (also called striae) are linear pendulum, acrochordon)? marks that most often develop over the Skin tags are very small, 1-5 mm, loose, breasts, abdomen, hips, and thighs. They polyp-like, skin-coloured growths of skin begin as reddish purple lines and with that usually appear under your arms or time, they become white atrophic (wrinkled) breasts. The increased appearance of skin scars. They are very common in pregnancy, tags during pregnancy is hormonally- occurring in up to 50% to 90% of pregnant induced in areas exposed to mechanical women. They are usually asymptomatic, but irritation. They may disappear after delivery. rarely may cause burning and itching. If they still persist, these tiny tags can be Stretch marks are caused by stretching removed by your dermatologist. of the skin beyond its elastic limit. Elastin fibres in the dermis (the skin layer below What are changes in hair the epidermis) are disrupted, and eventually growth? thickened collagen forms scar tissue. During pregnancy, more hair goes into They are seen more frequently in young the resting phase (telogen) of the normal women, women who are overweight, and growth cycle of hair. This causes diminished women who have large babies. They usually shedding of the hair, and it is perceived appear around the 25th week of pregnancy, as thickening of the hair. Three months although some women develop stretch after delivery, the hair cycle normalizes, marks even earlier. There is no health risk temporarily causing increased hair loss in to either mother or baby if stretch marks many women. This is called post-partum are present. Most stretch marks fade after telogen effluvium. This process is usually delivery, leaving only pale-coloured lines. completed six to twelve months after Stretch marks cannot be prevented. delivery. After this, hair growth will return Multiple over-the-counter creams and to normal. This temporary hair loss after ointments are available, but there is no delivery of a baby is normal and temporary, evidence that any topical agents can and special shampoos or other treatments prevent stretch marks. After delivery, are not effective. stretch marks fade over a year or two, but Pregnant women may experience hair do not disappear entirely. Some treatments growth in typical male sites, for example the may improve the cosmetic appearance of beard area. This phenomenon is also related stretch marks, including topical retinoid to hormonal changes (more male hormone, preparations or laser. However, retinoids testosterone). Usually, it is not severe or are forbidden during pregnancy and during permanent, and disappears within a couple breastfeeding, as they can harm the baby. of months of delivery. Other applications and laser treatment may be recommended by your dermatologist.

EADV INFORMATION LEAFLET FOR PATIENTS I SKIN DISEASES IN PREGNANCY What are spider veins Why do some areas of your skin (spider angiomas)? darken? Spider veins are collections of tiny, dilated Increased skin pigmentation is common. blood vessels that usually radiate from a Facial pigmentation in pregnancy is called central point. They may appear on the face, melasma or chloasma, also known as “the chest, or sometimes on the arms. They mask of pregnancy.” Other areas of skin usually fade or disappear after delivery. If which may darken include the nipples, not, they can be treated effectively by a genitalia, and linea alba (line on your dermatologist with vascular lasers. abdomen). In some women recent scars will darken. Facial pigmentation occurs in Similar, but different: what are 75% of pregnant women, and up to 90% of varicose veins? dark-skinned women. It typically develops in the second trimester. Pressure on the large veins (blood vessels that lead blood to the heart) behind the Melasma worsens with sunlight exposure. growing uterus causes the blood flow The most effective strategy to prevent to slow down as it returns to the heart. or help fade facial pigmentation is sun Swelling of the skin around the ankles may protection, including wearing a hat, staying also develop; your legs may feel heavy in the shade, and the use of high sun and tired. In a later stage, dilated veins of protection factor (SPF 50) ultraviolet A your legs (varicose veins) may appear. In (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) sunscreens. order to improve your blood circulation, Visible light blocking make-up (containing you should elevate your legs whenever iron-oxides) may also help. Melasma usually possible. Walking helps the circulation (your disappears after pregnancy, but can persist “muscle pump”), whereas standing and in one-third of women. Topical retinoids sitting for long periods worsens the blood and hydroquinone creams prescribed by a flow. Supportive stockings or flight socks dermatologist can help treat melasma, but should be worn if you feel that your legs get these must be avoided during pregnancy n swollen, and special pregnancy types are and breastfeeding. available. If you have a family or personal history of varicose veins or thrombophlebitis (inflamed veins)/deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), you should consult your clinician. Swelling of the ankles can also be a symptom of a serious condition in pregnancy known as pre-eclampsia. Early signs of this include high blood pressure, rapid weight gain, swelling of the hands and feet and protein in your urine. If not treated soon enough it can lead to headaches, visual disturbances and seizures so it is very important this condition is detected early and treated with medication to control the blood pressure.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this leaflet is accurate, not every treatment will be suitable or effective for every person. Your own clinician will be able to advise in greater detail.

PRODUCED BY THE EADV SKIN DISEASES IN PREGNANCY TASK FORCE