Causes of itchy rash during pregnancy
There are a variety of conditions associated with pregnancy that can cause a rash. Symptoms can overlap between one condition and the next, and it can be confusing to attempt to figure out exactly what’s going on so don’t attempt to diagnose yourself. Here are some of the possibilities:.
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP)
As much as 1 percent of pregnant women establish a condition identified by itchy, red bumps and bigger spots of a hive-like rash on their tummies. This is called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), likewise called polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.
PUPPP generally begins in the 3rd trimester, though it can begin earlier or, periodically, during the first two weeks after you give birth. It’s more common in women carrying twins and those having their first baby. No one knows what causes PUPPP.
The eruptions, which can itch like insane, typically show up first on the abdominal area around or in stretch marks (if you have any). It might infect your thighs, buttocks, back, and, more rarely, your arms and legs. Your neck, face, hands, and feet are typically spared.
Your doctor or midwife will probably recommend a topical lotion to give you some relief. She might likewise recommend an antihistamine. In severe cases, you may need a course of oral steroids.
The good news is that PUPPP is not dangerous for you or your baby and generally vanishes within a few days after delivery, although it often persists for a number of weeks. Plus, it hardly ever appears once again in subsequent pregnancies.
Prurigo of pregnancy
This reasonably uncommon condition (sometimes called papular eruptions of pregnancy) is identified by lots of tiny bumps that may look like bug bites at first. (Later, due to scratching, you may have little cuts that crust over in locations.).
Prurigo of pregnancy generally begins in the late second or early 3rd trimester. The eruptions, which can be extremely itchy and frustrating, normally appear on your limbs or your upper body. Treatment may include topical medication and antihistamines. A course of oral steroids may be needed sometimes.
Prurigo of pregnancy normally goes away soon after you give birth, though it may last for as much as 3 months after delivery, and it may occur once again in a later pregnancy. Fortunately, it appears to present no risk to you or your baby.
Some professionals now use the term atopic eruption of pregnancy to cover prurigo of pregnancy along with a really unusual condition called pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy because they share some things in common with atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema.
Pemphigoid gestationis
In really unusual cases, a pregnant woman will develop intensely itchy eruptions that begin like hives and after that turn into large blistering lesions. This rash is called pemphigoid gestationis (or herpes gestationis because of its look, although it has absolutely nothing to do with herpes infection).
It normally starts in the second or third trimester, but it can begin anytime, including the first week or more after you have your baby. The eruptions frequently start in or around the belly button and may also affect other parts of your trunk, as well as your limbs, including your palms and soles. Oral steroids are frequently used for treatment.
This condition can come and go throughout pregnancy, and it frequently flares during the postpartum period. In reality, it might take weeks or months for it to diminish after you give birth. There is some evidence that breastfeeding may help it to fix faster.
Pemphigoid gestationis is more serious than PUPPP or prurigo of pregnancy since it’s related to an increased risk for preterm delivery, fetal growth problems, and possibly stillbirth. So if you develop this condition, your pregnancy will be carefully kept an eye on. In a minority of cases, the newborn will establish the rash, though it’s normally mild and goes away within a few weeks.
Pemphigoid gestationis normally happens once again in subsequent pregnancies and tends to be more severe. And there are reports that oral contraceptives activate a recurrence in some women.
Impetigo herpetiformis
This is another uncommon condition, which, regardless of its name, is not related to the herpes virus or to impetigo, a bacterial skin infection. Instead, it’s most likely a kind of psoriasis in pregnancy.
It typically appears in the third trimester (though it can start earlier) and is characterized by substantial red areas with lots of small pus-filled bumps, which might coalesce into bigger white, elevated pus-filled areas. The rash may appear on your thighs, groin, armpits, around your belly button, under your breasts, and other locations as well. It can be painful however is normally not itchy.
Impetigo herpetiformis might likewise cause systemic symptoms, such as queasiness and vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and chills. Other complications are possible. So you and your baby will be carefully kept an eye on.
It is treated with systemic corticosteroids. Depending upon your condition, other medications might be needed also. It typically goes away after delivery but might recur in a later pregnancy.
