For reasons that are not known, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to develop spots with extra melanin, the pigment protein that makes you tan. It is referred to as "hyperpigmentation".
It never shows up all over. Only in spots. It is typical to get it on the cheeks, nose and forehead and is referred to as "melasma", or "pregnancy mask".
Another common pigmentation is "linea nigra", the dark line that sometimes appears on the abdomen. A narrow line that appears vertically, sometimes all the way from the "linea nigra" to the abdomen.
No matter what form it takes, hyperpigmentation during pregnancy usually disappears after the baby arrives, although it can sometimes take a few years.
It is completely harmless, and your dermatologist has some ways to help you. You can also help yourself, mainly by making sure and staying away from the sun.
You can get something very similar to hives. There are pale red bumps that itch, burn or sting. Sometimes they clump together and create an itchy area.
Technically, they are called "pruritic urticarial papules" or pruritus itching. They usually appear on the abdomen, upper body, arms or buttocks.
They always pass away after birth.
Your doctor may give you antihistamines or corticosteroid cream. It is best to keep your skin cool and be careful with soaps.
Stretched skin sometimes gets scars. These stretch marks are usually purple, and as scars they generally fade eventually.
They do not always disappear completely. There is no proven way to treat them, but it has been observed that skin with good moisture tends to develop to a lesser extent.
It is not uncommon to have small growths on the skin, usually on the upper body, or in the neck and groin. They almost never cause any problems. They will not go away on their own, but they are easy for your doctor to remove.
You can get pimples. Keep your face clean, use lukewarm water and mild cleanser. Be careful with cosmetics, and try not to pick at the pimples.
Feel free to use the over-the-counter creams you used when you were a naughty teenager - products with benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or azelaic acid.
DO NOT TAKE ANY FORM OF ORAL MEDICINE FOR ACCIDENTS WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR.
Isotretinoin, sometimes commercially known as "Roaccutane", increases the risk of serious defects in the fetus.
Hormone therapy, that is, the "pill," is also risky for unborn babies.
Tetracycline, an antibiotic, is also associated with developmental problems in the unborn child.
Suddenly visible veins
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, and the fact that blood volume increases enormously, can be a tough strain on your circulatory system.
You may see marked "varicose veins" on the legs or groin, or smaller "spider veins" on the face, neck or arms.
Usually these disappear after birth. Talk to your doctor when you are in control. Get on your feet when you can, keep your legs up, wear support stockings and make sure you exercise a little.
