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Moisturizers to relieve rashes during pregnancy

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eMediNexus    02 March 2019

Pregnancy is associated with skin changes due to endocrinological, immunological, metabolic, and vascular alterations. More than 90% of women experience skin changes during pregnancy. Skin conditions that are specific to pregnancy include atopic eruption of pregnancy, pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), pemphigoid gestationis, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Atopic eruption of pregnancy involves eczema in pregnancy, prurigo of pregnancy/prurigo gestationis, and pruritic folliculitis.1

Dry skin is often the cause of pruritus in pregnancy.2 Most skin conditions associated with pregnancy usually require symptomatic treatment only. Topical emollients and antihistamines are often advised in pregnancy-associated pruritus.1

The pruritus can have adverse effects on sleep and quality of life, and might also lead to, or worsen, depression.2 Intense moisturization may thus be required to manage the dry skin conditions experienced during pregnancy.

Moisturizers are commonly used to manage dry skin as they can potentially replace the skin’s natural oils, cover tiny fissures in the skin, and provide a protective coating. Moisturizers slow down the evaporation of the skin’s moisture, and maintain hydration.3 Moisturizers help manage dry skin conditions and maintain a healthy skin. Several disorders that present with symptoms of dryness are treated with the use of moisturizers.4

Moisturizers can be classified as occlusives, humectants, emollients and protein rejuvenators. Glycerin is a humectant. Humectants attract water on application to the skin and improve hydration of the stratum corneum.3 Glycerin is hygroscopic in nature and occurs naturally in skin.5,6 Being hygroscopic, it reduces water loss.5 Glycerin is an effective moisturizer and humectant and acts as a skin protectant. It hydrates the stratum corneum, assists in absorption of water from the atmosphere and reduces the evaporation rate from the skin surface.7

Intense moisturization of dry itchy skin during pregnancy could prevent and relieve the itchy skin conditions.

References

  1. Vora RV, Gupta R, Mehta MJ, et al. Pregnancy and skin. J Family Med Prim Care. 2014 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 318–324.
  2. Bergman H, Melamed N, Koren G. Pruritus in pregnancy: Treatment of dermatoses unique to pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2013 Dec; 59(12): 1290-1294.
  3. Lynde CW. Moisturizers: What They Are And How They Work. Skin Therapy Letter 2001;6(13). Available from: http://www.skintherapyletter.com/dry-skin/how-moisturizers-work/.
  4. Lodén M. The clinical benefit of moisturizers. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2005;19(6):672-88.
  5. Glycerol: Properties and Production. Available from: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0da6/db9a3624770d11a90c8ac6e1b57ed36dd807.pdf.
  6. Tucker R. What evidence is there for moisturizers? Available from: https://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/files/rps-pjonline/pdf/pj20110416_cpd.pdf.
  7. Fluhr JW, Bornkessel A, Berardesca E. Glycerol — Just a Moisturizer? Biological and Biophysical Effects. Available from: http://www.scientificspectator.com/documents/personal%20care%20spectator/Glycerol%20a%20Moisturizer.pdf.

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