Diseases of the Skin in Pregnancy

ASIDE from the relatively few more dramatic dermatoses which infrequently accompany the gravid state, a pregnant woman seldom derives much sympathy for her integumental complaints. Dermatologists and obstetricians alike are prone to ascribe most cutaneous symptoms occurring in these women to the pregnancy and dismiss them with a cursory inspection and simple prescription for symptomatic relief. There are numerous physiologic changes in the during gestation which may be unjustly classified as skin diseases of These include alterations in pigmentation, growth of hair, striae albicantes, edema of the skin, gingival changes and assorted vasomotor disturbances. Most of these physiologic aberrations may be observed in varying degrees associated with other systemic disorders unrelated to pregnancy. A great many diseases of the have been reported as related to, aggravated by or benefited by gestation in isolated instances or in small groups of cases. With but two exceptions