The moment you find out that you are expecting a new bundle of joy can be one of the most joyous moments of a woman’s life. Nevertheless, somehow along the pregnancy journey, things can get stressful especially due to the changes that your body will experience. Some of these changes include skin conditions that pop up during pregnancy and disappear soon after delivery. Read on to familiarise yourself with some of these.
Acne
Acne is a nightmare even among non-pregnant women. In pregnancy, acne is characterized by skin breakouts mostly due to hormonal changes. Pregnancy acne is the most common skin condition during pregnancy and especially during the first trimester. The tricky thing with pregnancy acne is that it can be hard to manage since OTC acne medication may be unfriendly to pregnant women which means that you may have to find other natural ways to manage your acne. Fortunately, it is nothing to worry about as it almost always goes away after childbirth once your hormone levels go back to normal.
Hyperpigmentation
Just like acne, hyperpigmentation is more common in the first trimester. Pregnant women, especially those with darker skin, develop darker skin colour in certain areas. While the cause is not known, hyper pigmentation just like acne is thought to be the result of hormonal changes. There is no medication for this condition and it goes away once the hormones go back to their normal levels. However, good sunscreen can help manage the condition. Also, avoid too much exposure to the sun and make sure that skin care products are suited to your skin type. In the same breath, ensure you go for quality skin care products and avoid products that irritate your skin.
SEE ALSO: Neonatal & infant skincare
Stretch marks
Waking up to realize that your belly is suddenly developing lines may not be the best news of the morning. The fact that stretch marks can sometimes cause itching can be a cause for distress among pregnant women. Stretch marks are normal and are your body’s response to the growth that is happening in your belly. Asa result, they will fade away once you give birth. There are a few creams that you can buy to fade the marks, with advice and approval from your doctor, or you can just accept them since you won’t have them forever anyway.
Cholestatis of pregnancy
Cholestatis of pregnancy, also known as Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, is a condition that occurs in the latter stages of pregnancy and is characterized by itching mostly on the arms and feet. While the condition is extremely uncomfortable, it does not cause a rash. However, the condition can be threatening to your pregnancy. As a result, you need to walk closely with your doctor to recommend the best action to take.
Skin tags
Skin tags are small loose growths that have skin folds like arms and breasts. Fortunately, they are benign and will almost always fall off on their own after pregnancy. However, you can always talk to your dermatologist for advice on how to manage or remove them.
In conclusion…
While most of the above skin conditions are non-fatal and resolve soon after pregnancy, you might not be prepared for these changes. The most important thing to remember is that you are beautiful as you are and that there are ways to manage these conditions if you are still uncomfortable.
