Skin disease in pregnancy

• In pregnancy, skin presents physiological changes that regress after delivery.
• Polymorphic eruption, atopic eruption and pemphigoid are specific to pregnancy.
• Pemphigoid gestationis usually starts as a tense blistering rash in the umbilicus.
• Pemphigoid gestationis may be associated with prematurity and low birth weight.
• Potent or ultrapotent topical steroids can control specific dermatoses of pregnancy.

Skin manifestations during pregnancy are common and diversified. This review will focus on the most important entities to be recognized by obstetricians. These are, on the one hand, physiological changes, where unnecessary investigations should be avoided, and on the other, the specific dermatoses of pregnancy. These develop electively in pregnancy, and they are currently grouped into three disorders: polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, atopic eczema of pregnancy, and pemphigoid gestationis. Arguments for recognition of these are presented including detection of anti-BP180 antibodies. Follow-up and treatment depend on the precise diagnosis. Risks in fetal prognosis may occur in rare pemphigoid gestationis cases.