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Skin Changes During Pregnancy
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What types of skin changes happen during pregnancy? Changes in the skin are common during pregnancy. Many of the changes are caused by the higher levels of hormones during pregnancy. For example:
Some normal changes in your skin and hair are described below. Be sure to talk to your health care provider if you notice any unusual skin changes or have any questions about caring for your skin. Where does the skin get darker? One of the changes you might notice early in your pregnancy is a darkening of the skin on or around your nipples. Later in your pregnancy, you may see a dark line on your skin that runs down your abdomen from your belly button to your pubic hairline. This line is called the linea nigra, or black line. You might also have blotchy brown spots on your forehead, nose, or cheeks, a skin change called melasma, chloasma, or the mask of pregnancy. The inner thighs may become darker. Freckles, moles, and scars may also seem darker. The darkening of the skin is caused by the increased amounts of hormones during pregnancy and an increase in the substance called melanin that is made by your body to give color to your hair, skin, and eyes. Skin darkening is more common in darker-skinned women. Most of these changes will fade or go away after delivery. The skin darkening is made worse by exposure to the sun. Using sunscreen when you are outdoors may help prevent it. Do NOT use skin-bleaching treatments when you are pregnant. What are stretch marks? Stretch marks are pink or purple streaks in the skin, usually over the thighs, hips, abdomen, and breasts. They are caused by the stretching of the skin as you gain weight. They usually appear during the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy. More than half of all pregnant women develop stretch marks. They are much more likely to happen in women with light skin color. While creams and lotions can keep your skin well moisturized, they do not prevent stretch marks from forming. Most stretch marks fade after delivery to very light-colored lines, but they often do not go away completely. When you are not pregnant, putting retinoid products, such as tretinoin, on the stretch marks may help them fade. Do NOT use this medicine while you are pregnant. What causes itching? The higher levels of hormones and stretching skin during pregnancy, especially over your abdomen, can cause itching. The palms of your hands and soles of your feet may also become red and itchy. The best treatment is to use a moisturizer after bathing and several times throughout the day. Use only gentle soaps to wash your hands or clean your skin, and avoid hot showers or baths that can dry your skin. The itching usually goes away after delivery. Try not to get too hot, since heat rash can make the itching worse. Talk with your health care provider if:
What are skin tags? Skin tags are tiny, floppy growths of skin that can occur anywhere but more often are found in or near the armpits or breasts. They are harmless. If they cause discomfort and do not go away after pregnancy, they can be easily removed by your health care provider with freezing, tying off with a thread or stitch, or cutting off. What changes are there in hair growth? You may find that hair is growing in places where only men normally grow hair, such as the face and chest. This growth of hair is caused by the higher levels of hormones. It usually stops and most of it goes away within 6 months after delivery. One to five months after your baby is born, you may lose more hair from your scalp than usual. This loss of hair happens because during pregnancy more hairs go into the resting phase that is part of the normal growth and loss cycle of scalp hair. Six to twelve months after delivery your hair will become thicker again. This condition does not cause permanent hair loss or obvious bald patches. What are spider and varicose veins? Spider veins are common during pregnancy. They start out as small red veins that grow into the appearance of a roadmap of red, blue, and purple streaks. They usually occur on the legs during the second trimester but fade after delivery. If these don't go away, talk with your provider about treatment options. During pregnancy, pressure on the large veins behind the uterus causes the blood to slow in its return to the heart. This means there is more blood in the veins of the legs than when you were not pregnant. This can lead to swollen veins, called varicose veins, in the legs. They are usually raised above the surface of the skin. They can be twisted or bulging and are dark purple or blue. You can try to prevent varicose veins by:
 Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File WOM5281F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
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