Skin Rashes During Pregnancy
It is not uncommon for women to get rashes while they are pregnant. Such rashes are normal and indicated that there are changes occurring in a woman’s body due to the presence of her infant. They should not be mistaken as skin disorders, and should instead be seen as changes in the skin. For instance, it is common for women’s skin to appear darker, or to have brown patches. It is also common for existing moles to be darker. Some women may also get stretch marks on their hips or breasts. Stretch marks can appear as red lines, and they can be itchy, which may make them appear like rashes. But as time passes, these stretch marks become flatter, and will lose their color to be white, shiny, and smooth.
Skin changes occur because of changes in hormone levels, especially with the increase of bodily estrogen. Another hormone, called the melanocyte stimulating hormone, increases in concentration during pregnancy. This hormone influences the production of melanin, a dark pigment that is present in skin cells. Darkening of the skin follows, and some cells may look red or brown. Many of these skin changes will be gone as soon as the baby is born, and they will appear or recur with pregnancy. The common types of skin changes do not affect the growth or health of an infant.
However, there may be certain kinds of rashes that are specific to pregnancy, and they might be cause for alarm. Sometimes, a would-be mother may feel an itch even without a rash. Such rashes might be harmful to a mother and her child, so if you are pregnant and you see skin changes which you know are not simple darkening due to pregnancy, then you will need to talk to your doctor immediately. This is especially true during the first three months of your pregnancy, when your baby is developing his or her bodily systems and is most prone to environmental influences.
There are some rashes that occur only in pregnancy, and you will need your doctor’s help in diagnosing them. However, there are also non-specific rashes in pregnancy that can occur because you are allergic to certain things, such as certain foods, pollen, medications, or dyes in your clothes. You might also get rashes due to insect bites or skin infections. Viruses may also manifest as rashes, and since many viruses are harmful and even lethal to infants, then you may need to consult with your doctor immediately. Some parasites will also cause your body to react with a rash, and some parasites, such as those found in fecal matter of domestic animals like cats and dogs, can be lethal to infants. In any case, always consult with your doctor and get treatment immediately.
If you have itching, but do not have rashes, then you are still in a safe zone, since itching can be common during your first trimester. However, if you keep on getting itches without rashes during your next trimesters, or if the itching keeps on getting worse, then you will need to talk to your doctor. In some cases, there are itches that are common in pregnancy. One such itch occurs during the final trimester, and it will occur with mild jaundice, since your liver will be less efficient at producing bile.
These are only a few facts about rashes during pregnancy. For more information, talk to your doctor or health care practitioner.
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