HEALTHY FAMILY
“There are many creams marketed to
reduce stretch marks but most studies don’t
report significant changes,” Goldberg says.

However, she notes that plain, fragrance-free
moisturizer helps.

When should you be concerned?
There are some conditions that may warrant
further supervision or evaluation by a der-
matologist or your OB/GYN.

“If you have a severe rash, see your doc-
tor, particularly one where you have blisters
or intractable itching. [Intractable] itching
is itching that keeps you awake at night and
doesn’t go away with the dry skincare meth-
ods I mentioned,” Goldberg says.

Of course, most expectant mothers’ num-
ber one concern is for their baby, so if you
are worried, seeing a doctor may help put
your mind at ease.

“The only two conditions (discussed here)
that could harm the baby are cholestasis of
pregnancy and pemphigoid gestationis,”
Singh says.

Cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver condition
that can occur late in pregnancy, according
Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit that serves patients
worldwide and is based in Arizona, Florida and
Minnesota. This condition causes intense itching but
presents without a rash. The itching typi-
cally occurs in the hands and feet but has
been known to affect other parts of the body.

Sometimes, due to the risk of complications
with this condition doctors can recommend
early delivery, according to the nonprofit.

Complications can include preterm birth,
lung problems in the infant, or even still-
birth. There is no known way to prevent
cholestasis of pregnancy, and doctors aren’t
certain what causes it.

Pemphigoid gestationis is not as common
as cholestasis of pregnancy. Also known as
herpes gestationis, it occurs in 1 out of every
50 thousand mid-to late-term pregnancies,
according to the American Family Physi-
cian. The American Osteopathic College
of Dermatology (AOCD) notes that it usu-
ally presents during the second trimester of
pregnancy, but can occur at any time.

Despite its name, PG is not related to the
herpes virus. It is an autoimmune condition
where the body attacks proteins found in
the skin.

PG presents as a red, itchy rash that
forms plaques and papules around and
sometimes including the belly button. Ini-
tially, the lesions resemble hives but after a
couple of weeks, blisters may form. PG typ-
ically flares shortly after delivery and then
resolves within three months, according
to the AOCD.

PG data does not suggest an increased risk
of death for the baby, however AOCD notes
the baby may be small for its gestational age.

The More You Know
It’s important to know the risks of any
changes you notice during pregnancy, but
remember that most changes are common,
temporary and nothing to be embarrassed
about. For more details on these and
other dermatological conditions, talk to
your doctor. T
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