Health & Safety

When Should You Consider Seeing a Dermatologist During Pregnancy?

6 min read

Written by Sindhuja Prabhu

Sindhuja Prabhu

M.Sc (Psychology),PGDBM

Sindhuja, a mother of two, is an obsessive mom with a keen interest in psychology, especially child psychology. Her quest for knowledge and way with words led her to become a passionate content writer. She transformed her love for writing into a full-fledged career which incidentally also turned up being the perfect stress buster for the last 5 years.

When to see a dermatologist during pregnancy

Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes in a woman’s body. Your body changes and adapts to support a new life on the inside. You ensure you go for regular check-ups to monitor the growing life and do everything necessary to keep the baby healthy and safe. But do you know when you should consider seeing a dermatologist during pregnancy?

Everyone is aware of the “pregnancy glow”. People rave about how a pregnant woman has healthier hair and fresher-looking skin that glows with health. As the baby grows inside, she glows outside. However, what if you get the short end of the stick? What if you have skin issues?

In This Article

Can Pregnancy Cause Skin Issues?
Top 7 Reasons to Schedule a Dermatologist Visit
Preparing Yourself to Visit Dermatologist During Pregnancy
FAQ’s

Can Pregnancy Cause Skin Issues?

Unfortunately, yes! The pregnancy-related hormonal fluctuations can sometimes be too much for your skin to handle. It can cause severe skin breakouts and other issues that need medical intervention.

The “pregnancy glow” is not something people tell for fun. The pregnant woman indeed has a glow. Her hair is healthier, longer, and shinier; her skin is clearer, fresher, and glows with health. Not all women experience such positive side effects of pregnancy. For some women, skin and hair issues can even go to the extent of causing depression.

Top 7 Reasons to Schedule a Dermatologist Visit

Some pregnant women are just unfortunate when it comes to the skin part. While fellow pregnant mommas’ glow from the inside, some women could be trying everything possible, within the “pregnancy limits” to keep their skin from going beyond help. It is natural to think the hormonal changes are just causing that tiny zit on your forehead. However, if it doesn’t stop with that or does not subside, you could be dealing with hormonal issues that are showing up on your skin.

Here are seven instances when you must schedule an appointment with your dermatologist and get some qualified medical help

1. Acne

Pregnant woman with acne

Acne is not limited to teenage years; it can affect you when you are pregnant too. Even if you have never suffered from acne during your teens, pregnancy hormones can cause those zits to spring right up. The skin produces more oil due to hormonal changes in pregnancy, which can lead to severe acne. A dermatologist can help you combat this issue and get it under control before your acne spreads all over. Never take acne medications without consulting your doctor or dermatologist during pregnancy.

[Read : Treating Pregnancy Acne With Home Remedies]

2. Eczema

Pregnant woman with eczema

Don’t worry, eczema during pregnancy will not harm the baby. Eczema happens due to the fluctuations in the hormones and will clear right up after the delivery. The dermatologist will help identify is the eczema is genetic, hormonal, or due to some other environmental factors. It could also be some cream or medication that is causing this flare-up. It is safer to get it checked at the earliest.

3. Skin Damage

Skin damage during pregnancy

Skin damage could be just a simple hormonal change; a trigger of an existing skin condition or something more serious that is overlapping another health issue. Unless you get a professional opinion, you cannot treat it or medicate it. If it is indeed some symptom to something more serious, you don’t want to delay, which can lead to issues in the pregnancy.

4. Scar Treatment

Woman with pregnancy scars (1)

Any scar treatment can wait until after the pregnancy. It is not safe to get a laser procedure while you are pregnant. A dermatologist will be able to help you decide what you can do for your scar during your pregnancy. They will be able to help you care for it without letting all those previous sittings go waste.

5. Persistent Skin Irritation

Pregnant woman with skin irritation

Dry and itchy skin is quite common during pregnancy. This is because your skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby and your weight. Hormonal changes can also cause your skin to dry up. However, if your skin seems to be irritated all the time and you want to scratch it all the time, you need help. A dermatologist will be able to give you some safe topical creams that can relieve the dry and itchy skin without causing you any harm.

[Read : Itchy Skin During Pregnancy]

6. Hair Loss

Pregnant woman with hair loss

Everyone is familiar with postpartum hair loss. Hair is supposed to grow longer and be lustrous when you are pregnant right? But what do you do when you see those locks just come off stuck in your fingers? Again, this could be just some hormonal change or something more serious. Getting it checked can remove unnecessary worry.

6. Itchy Hives or Rashes That Won’t Go Away

Rashes during pregnancy

Now, you don’t want to keep scratching that tender skin of yours do you? It can start as a small itch that feels much better when you scratch it, and suddenly, you just can’t seem to stop.

You could break into hives due to hormonal changes or the pressure of pregnancy on your immune system. It can start around your abdomen and spread downwards if not treated in time. Consulting a dermatologist can not only get you relief from the itch but can also stop the spread.

[Read : Hives During Pregnancy]

Preparing Yourself to Visit Dermatologist During Pregnancy

preparing for dermatologist visit

So, you are pregnant, enduring some skin issues and you have realized it is time to get a medical opinion. Here is how you can prepare yourself for the dermatologist visit:

Make a list of all your skin and hair issues. This can be small or big. Since you are visiting the doctor, it is better to be open with them and tell them about all your skin-related issues. What may seem unconnected to you, might actually be informative for their diagnosis.
Take a list of all your medications. Sometimes few medicines can interfere with others or just cause allergic reactions.
Wear loose clothes, as the dermatologist will want to check your skin for other symptoms.
Wear pants that you can remove or wear easily, with your pregnant belly. You may not have a bed like at home, to sit on and pull up your pants.
Pregnancy can make you hungry at all times. Pack a small snack that can not only be carried easily but can be consumed easily too. You don’t want to dirty the clinic, do you?
If you are allergic to certain medicines or creams, do inform the dermatologist about the same. They will prescribe creams accordingly.
Most dermatologists will not prescribe any medication that you will have to consume. If they do give you something to be consumed, always double-check with your gynecologist before consuming.

Skin issues during pregnancy are more common than you think. Everyone only talks about the good glowing pregnancy skin, so hearing about acne or hives can be rare. Don’t worry, if you get it treated at the right time, you can get the issue under control and enjoy a good pregnancy.

FAQ’s

1. Can I Consume Collagen or Other Skin-Related Supplements While Pregnant?

No, it is not advisable. Though there is not much data on the side effects of consuming them during pregnancy, it is not safe. There is not enough data on the effect of such supplements on pregnant women.

3. Can I Get Skin Treatments While Pregnant?

Skin treatments during pregnancy are not advisable. Everyone wants to look their best, especially if you are suffering some skin issues while pregnant. Having said that not all skin treatments may be safe, especially those involving chemicals. Skin issues occurring during pregnancy will resolve themselves post-delivery once the hormones settle.

3. Can My Skin Issues Affect My Unborn Child?

It’s hard to say. While some skin issues could be just hormonal, some could be genetic. In case of genetic skin problems, they can get transferred to the child.