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Every woman longs for a flawless, dewy complexion.
However, for most of us, outbreaks of one kind or another are a periodic
fact of life. Given the ebb and flow of hormones the typical woman
experiences on a monthly basis, not to mention the changes in body
chemistry that occur during pregnancy, it’s a rare women who never
experiences at least some of these common skin conditions.
Acne
Experts say that half of adult women in the U.S. suffer from acne
breakouts. Acne is a hormonally-driven condition. It's no surprise then
that pregnancy can cause existing acne to worsen. Interestingly,
pregnancy can also cause acne to clear up. Oral contraceptives can help
to diminish acne in some cases. Stress can also trigger outbreaks. Try
to pinpoint the cause of your stress and then work on incorporating
stress-busting techniques into your life. To deal with an existing acne
outbreak, wash the affected area gently with warm water and mild soap.
Avoid scrubbing and squeezing blemishes. This will cause additional
irritation of the skin and may lead to scarring. There are many
excellent over-the-counter products for the treatment of acne. If your
outbreak does not respond to them, seek medical treatment.
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Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs when the immune system
sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells.
The most common form, plaque psoriasis, results in white, scaly patches
over irritated red skin. It occurs most commonly on the elbows and
knees, but it can also occur anywhere on the body. See your doctor. Keep
the skin moisturized. Your doctor may prescribe ointments, oral
medications or even light therapy, also called phototherapy, to treat
the symptoms. Psoriasis is not contagious.
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Stretch marks
Between 75 and 90 percent of pregnant women will develop stretch marks
during pregnancy. These blemishes commonly occur during the last
trimester of pregnancy when the skin is subjected to the greatest
stretching forces. Stretch marks can also occur due to rapid growth
during puberty, muscle building or rapid weight gain. Stretch marks are
pink or purple bands in the stomach area. They may also be seen on the
breasts, thighs, hips and buttocks. Gentle massage and application of
moisturizers can diminish the appearance of stretch marks and help keep
the skin elastic. Creams with vitamin E have been found to be effective
in a number of studies, as well as lotions containing alpha-hydroxy
acids.
Age or liver spots
These annoying brown blotches have nothing to do with your age or your
liver. They are the result of ultraviolet damage. The cells in our skin
that produce melanin, which gives skin its color, get damaged and
produce more or uneven pigment. Prevention is the best cure for these
spots, so make a good sunscreen a part of your daily routine. For
existing spots, a two-pronged attack is most effective. Gently exfoliate
the effected areas and apply a topical bleaching cream to lighten the
spots. Talk to your dermatologist about other treatment options such as
chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or intense pulsed light (IPL) laser
treatments to lighten them.
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Rashes
In your life, you may experience a variety of rashes at some point. The
most common skin condition specific to pregnancy is PUPPP (Pruritic
urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy). This rash usually starts
on the abdomen and spreads to the thighs, breasts, buttocks and arms.
Small red bumps and hives develop and, if the outbreak is severe, large
patches form. It can make you feel itchy everywhere and especially
during the last trimester when you're most uncomfortable anyway.
Anti-itching topical medications, antihistamines and topical steroids
can help control the itching. See your doctor for early treatment. |