Can I have skin problems during pregnancy?
Given the natural changes that occur during pregnancy, an increase in skin pigmentation may occur, with the appearance of stretch marks and spots on the face, neck, breasts, thighs, buttocks and below the navel.
It is a good practice to always keep your skin moisturized with products suitable for pregnancy, however, read this article and we will give you some tips. Whenever something abnormal appears, consult your obstetrician.
What are the most common skin problems during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, there are many hormonal changes that aim to adapt the mother’s body to the development and growth of a new being. These changes generate consequences in the body, causing changes in the pregnant woman’s skin.
Most of these changes are temporary and regress over time after giving birth, however, some may continue to persist. Let’s look at some of the most common skin problems:
- Melasma: is a skin pigmentation disorder characterized by dark spots that normally appear on the face, but can appear on other areas exposed to the sun, such as the arms, for example;
- Stretch marks: these are grooves in the skin resulting from the rupture of the dermis and occur mainly in the abdominal area. Stretch marks can be reddish or white in color. Red stretch marks can be treated and even disappear, while white stretch marks, being older, require more care and it is not always possible to obtain the same results as more recent ones;
- Telangiectasias: these are small, thin, superficial vessels that dilate and can appear alone or in large quantities from the second to the fifth month of pregnancy, with red lesions on the face, arms and legs;
- Dermatoses: are a group of skin diseases, some of which are specific to pregnancy, with conditions that occur exclusively during pregnancy, such as pruritic urticarial plaques and papules of pregnancy, prurigo gestationis, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and herpes gestationis;
- Increased acne: hormonal changes during pregnancy can further aggravate the appearance of these skin lesions, which mainly appear on the face, neck and trunk.
Skin care during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the skin becomes more sensitive and, therefore, extra care must be taken. Some changes can be prevented during pregnancy, so follow some of our recommendations:
- use sunscreen properly and avoid prolonged sun exposure to prevent the appearance of melasma;
- wear hats during the day and clothes with ultraviolet protective fabrics to prevent hyperpigmentation;
- take antioxidants to help prevent small spots;
- avoid gaining more weight than recommended to minimize the appearance of stretch marks;
- hydrate the skin with active ingredients to prevent the stretching of elastic fibers;
- practice moderate physical exercise to avoid sagging skin;
- avoid smoking to prevent telangiectasias;
- avoid staying in the same position for too long to help improve blood circulation;
- maintain a balanced diet and drink around 2 liters of water a day as it prevents fluid retention, improves digestive and intestinal functions and hydrates the skin and mucous membranes.
Skin problems cannot be ignored. It is important to know how to distinguish between normal changes during pregnancy and diseases that may be associated with it. If in doubt, speak to your obstetrician or consult a dermatologist to prevent, alleviate and treat diseases and/or changes that may arise during pregnancy.