Skin changes in pregnancy

Physiological changes to the skin during pregnancy include striae, increased pigmentation, increased hair growth, vascular instability, and thickening of moles—these changes usually improve after delivery. Improving the skin condition (eg using emollients) may help; see Improving skin condition.

Dermatoses that can develop during pregnancy are atopic eruption of pregnancy, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, pemphigoid gestationis and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Overall, 14 to 38%Bechtel, 2018Bergman, 2013Szczech, 2017 of pregnant females develop pruritus.

Drugs recommended in this topic are considered safe for use in pregnancyChi, 2015. See also Australian categorisation of drugs in pregnancy and General information on drug use in pregnancy. Also consider contacting pregnancy and breastfeeding information centres in your area for information (eg MotherSafe in New South Wales, Royal Women’s Hospital Medicines Information Service in Victoria).