Dermatoses in Pregnancy

The hormonal, immunological, and mechanical adaptations that occur during pregnancy to accommodate the growing fetus cause noticeable changes in maternal skin, modulated by various factors. These alterations of skin and its appendages that manifest during pregnancy are considered physiological [1, 2]. As a rule, the majority of pregnant women who experience these changes have a normal healthy pregnancy. However, there are some cutaneous disorders associated with ongoing pregnancy, which can be a harbinger of adverse fetal outcomes and remit postpartum [3]. In addition, when coincidental infections or other skin diseases affect women during pregnancy, their course may be worsened, improved, or unaffected by the pregnancy state (Table 43.1).