Are you plagued by pregnant skin problems? It's no fun feeling nauseous, tired, bloated and heavy. Having skin problems on top of that just makes things even worse right? It makes you wonder if all those pregnant women you see in advertisements with their glowing, blemish free skin are real. Well, it's unfortunate that pregnant skin problems are a common thing, no thanks to crazy hormones. So, if you're wondering if it's just you, it's not.
Here is a list of common pregnant skin problems. See if any sound familiar to you.
Melasma
This skin condition is also known as chloasma or pregnancy mask. Your face has dark patches in places such as forehead, nose, chin, and upper cheeks. Some people also have it on their upper lip making them look like they have a moustache. This problem of uneven pigmentation may also appear as dark circles around the eyes. Melasma isn't just a face problem, it can also happen to your arms. Melasma is more likely to happen in dark skinned women. The good news is the problem goes away after you've given birth. However, I'm guessing you don't want to wait that long. So, the best thing you can do is to protect yourself from the sun. Limit your time in the sun, use sunblock with SPF 30 or higher, wear a brimmed hat and stay away from tanning salons. You may not get rid of the skin problem entirely this way, but you will at least minimize it. Another solution is to take enough folic acid. Research suggests lack of folic acid may increase skin discoloration. Get sufficient doses of folic acid through supplements and folate rich foods such as whole grains and green leafy vegetables.
Skin Darkening
You may find natural dark areas of you body such as the areola and nipples of you breast, moles, freckles, scars, birthmarks, and skin around you genitals becoming darker than usual. It could also happen to your inner thighs and underarms. This happens because your body is experiencing a temporary increase in melanin production.
A Dark Line Down Your Belly
This is known as linea nigra. It runs from the lower chest to the navel and also extends to the pubic area. It usually appears during the second trimester and should slowly disappear after your baby is born. You may need to give it a gentle rub to get rid of any dry skin. The line appears darker in darker skinned women.
Acne
You may feel like you're reliving your adolescent days with all those acne, white heads and bumps breaking out everywhere. To fight acne during pregnancy, practice good cleansing habits. Keep your face clean and keep your hands away from your face. Don't over wash your face as the dryness will cause your face to produce more oil. Twice a day should be enough. Use gentle cleansers such as oatmeal-based scrubs. Drink plenty of water and eat foods that contain antioxidants such as prunes, blueberries, dark green, yellow and orange vegetables, beans, pecans, walnuts and wheat germ. Be wary of the acne creams you use as some are not suitable for pregnant women. If you want to try natural products, try neem or aloe vera.
Stretch Marks
Statistic say 75-90 percent of all pregnant women develop those unsightly stretch marks. These red or purple streaks not only appear on your growing abdomen, but can also show up on your hips, breasts, buttocks, hips and arms. Can stretch marks be avoided? Yes. Find a moisturizing product that can penetrate pass your skin's epidermis (top layer) and deep into the dermis (second layer.) Search for products with high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, emu oil, collagen, glycolic acid, elastin, liposomes and aloe vera gel.
Itchy Skin
Are you going crazy with the itching? Unfortunately, pregnancy can cause dry and flaky skin which is the reason for your itching. Plus, your expanding abdomen causes rubbing of skin such as between the stomach and the top of the pubic area and also between the inner thighs. This rubbing can cause prickly heat rash too. In hot weather, wear loose cotton clothing. Stay out of the sun and keep cool. Invest in a good moisturizer and a lotion to take away the itch like calamine, aloe vera or tea tree oil.
Take note that itchy skin in the third trimester may be a sign of Obstetic Cholestasis. It's a liver disease that may endanger the life of your unborn child. The itch is so severe, it interferes with your daily activities, even sleep. The itching may be accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, fatigue and poor appetite. Check with your doctor if you suspect your itching is not normal. Get proper treatment to avoid the possibility of a stillbirth.
Don't let pregnant skin problems take out the joy in your pregnancy. Be ready for the changes and know that you're not alone. Most of these skin problems will disappear after you deliver your baby. Just endure it the best that you can till then.
