Your body goes through a multitude of changes when you’re pregnant. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) might be one of them.
“Eczema is the most common skin disorder of pregnancy,” says Daniel P. Friedmann, MD, a dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology and the clinical research director of the Westlake Dermatology Clinical Research Center in Austin, Texas.
The Link Between Pregnancy and Atopic Dermatitis
So, why does pregnancy seem to worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms? Blame those shifting hormones. “Eczema symptoms during pregnancy are largely related to the impact of female sex hormones on the immune system,” says Natalie C. Yin, MD, a dermatologist with Providence Dermatology in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Ruling Out Other Skin Conditions When You’re Pregnant
Complicating the picture is that pregnant women are prone to developing other rashes that might look similar to atopic dermatitis.
If you develop a new rash while you’re pregnant, it’s important to seek medical attention from your ob-gyn or dermatologist, Yin says. This is in order to rule out potentially harmful rashes that can resemble atopic dermatitis, including pityriasis rosea.
Tips for Treating Atopic Dermatitis When You’re Pregnant
If you’ve dealt with atopic dermatitis before, you may have treated it with topical ointments, oral medications, over-the-counter skin-care products, or other prescriptions. And while they may have been safe to use before, that may no longer be the case for certain treatments during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, it’s best to approach potent topical steroids, oral steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and oral immunosuppressive agents with extreme caution, along with biologics, says Yin. If you’re taking one of these drugs, be sure to work closely with your doctor.
Always consult your doctor first to get the okay on any medication you’re taking. “I always recommend patients run products by their board-certified dermatologist or ob-gyn in order to confirm that they are safe to use while pregnant,” Friedmann says.
Even if you currently take medication for atopic dermatitis and are not pregnant yet, but plan to become pregnant in the near future, share your plans with your doctor.
Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Tame Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms
Also keep in mind that many of the atopic dermatitis treatments involving lifestyle tweaks can be safely incorporated regardless of whether you’re pregnant. “The treatment of eczema during pregnancy begins with warm (not hot) showers and the use of moisturizers and synthetic soaps (no true soaps) in order to limit overdrying of the skin,” Friedmann says.
- Take warm baths or showers for less than 10 minutes each day.
- Apply moisturizer within three minutes of showering or bathing.
- Moisturize at least twice a day.
- Take diluted bleach baths.
- Use a humidifier.
- Manage stress.
The Takeaway
Pregnancy can cause atopic dermatitis to flare up, and can trigger the condition for the first time in some people. If you’re seeing a dermatologist for pregnancy-related atopic dermatitis, be sure to keep your ob-gyn in the loop, especially about any medication you’re taking.
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