Rashes during pregnancy
One in 300 pregnant women develop this itchy skin disease. The rash usually starts on the stretch marks on the abdomen which spread to affect the rest of the body. The skin disease is not harmful to the baby in the womb and always disappears 6 weeks after delivery. Rarely, it starts after delivery of the baby but would clear after 6 weeks.
Most skin diseases can be treated in the same way as in non-pregnant women. Doctors will avoid drugs that are known to be unsafe to the baby in the womb. It is important to always inform your doctor whenever you are pregnant. Always consult a doctor if you develop any skin rash during pregnancy. Do not self-medicate. Avoid traditional medication as they may affect the unborn child in the womb.
Urticaria of pregnancy is common. The cause is unknown. Red, irregularly shaped, flat or slightly raised patches appear on the abdomen. The patches sometimes have tiny fluid-filled blisters in the center. Often, the skin around them is pale. The rash spreads to the thighs, buttocks, and occasionally the arms. Hundreds of itchy patches may develop. Typically, the rash appears during the last 2 to 3 weeks of pregnancy and occasionally during the last few days.
Herpes gestationis is thought to be caused by abnormal antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues—an autoimmune reaction. Blisters often form on the abdomen first, then spread. The blisters are small or large, irregularly shaped, and fluid-filled. The rash can appear any time after the 12th week of pregnancy or immediately after delivery.
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