Pregnancy and the Skin: Unraveling Dermatological Impacts

Skin changes are common in pregnancy due to hormonal, immune, and vascular shifts. These changes, seen in up to 90% of pregnant women, may include normal physiological effects, flare-ups of existing skin conditions, or the development of pregnancy-specific dermatoses resulting from the changes in estrogen, progesterone, and immune adaptations that support the fetus.

A systematic review explored the impact of pregnancy on skin disorders, including their frequency, severity, effects on mothers and babies, and optimal management strategies. It analyzed studies involving pregnant women with skin conditions, focusing on patient characteristics, disease severity, treatments used, and pregnancy outcomes.

A total of 8,490 pregnant women with dermatological changes or conditions related to pregnancy were studied. The skin conditions were classified into physiological changes, pregnancy-related worsening of pre-existing skin diseases, and pregnancy-specific dermatoses.

The key observations were as follows:

• Increased risks of preterm birth and fetal distress were observed in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and pemphigoid gestationis.
• Common prevalence of Atopic and polymorphic eruptions but minimal impact on fetal health.
• Treatment outcomes with corticosteroids, antihistamines, and ursodeoxycholic acid varied in safety and effectiveness.

Thus, the study concluded that pregnancy has a significant impact on skin health, with early diagnosis and personalized treatment promoting favorable outcomes. More randomized controlled trials were needed to establish standardized guidelines for diagnostic and treatment approaches, aiming to improve the quality of dermatologic care during pregnancy.

(Source:  Review. Clinics and Practice, 15(4), 68.https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract15040068)