Hives During Pregnancy

Hives, which manifest as itchy red patches on the skin, is one of the many conditions a pregnant woman can suffer from. We went deeper into its possible causes and consequences for the health of mother and baby.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes many changes. They happen both physically and mentally. Many of them are related to changes in the skin. Hives during pregnancy are a condition that many women suffer from.

Urticaria is the appearance of patches that cause itchy skin ; it is one of the many discomforts that can occur in pregnancy. It is often extremely uncomfortable for mothers-to-be.

Urticaria usually appears in the third trimester, especially in a woman’s first pregnancy. This condition is manifested by itchy red bumps in the abdominal area, although they can also extend to the extremities.

Furthermore, it also causes a lot of concern. The fear of such striking spots leads mothers-to-be to associate them with more serious disorders, but they have nothing to do with them.

Below, we review the most important information about urticaria during pregnancy. This way you will be able to know what causes it, how to treat it and in which cases you should be concerned about possible complications.

Causes of urticaria during pregnancy

According to the American Association of Pregnant Women (APA) , 1 in 150 women in this state suffer from skin conditions such as urticaria, also known as PPUPG (itchy, urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy).

One of the causes that produce symptoms such as itching and dryness is that during pregnancy, a series of very significant hormonal changes occur in the woman’s body.

These changes, among other consequences, increase the production of a hormone called estrogen. On the other hand, skin stretching can also be another source of these problems.

However, urticaria or PPUPG finds its root in other causes, which are still largely unknown. Some of the proven ones so far are :

• Allergic reactions : different foods, bacteria or substances can trigger an alert that causes the appearance of these spots on the pregnant woman’s skin. The body releases histamine, a substance responsible for fighting these pathogenic microorganisms.
• Emotional stress : the cocktail of emotions and hormonal changes in this phase tend to be externalized through some pathology. The skin is one of the first candidates to be affected, as is the digestive system.

• Skin stretching : This can cause connective tissue to break down; as a result, the body generates an inflammatory reaction that produces these spots.

On the other hand, problems such as lupus, autoimmune disorders and serious illnesses such as leukemia are also cited as causes of urticaria. Anyway, these causes were not registered in pregnant women.

Treatment of urticaria during pregnancy

Urticaria disappears immediately after delivery or a few days after delivery. However, treatment usually aims at treating the symptoms. As mentioned earlier, itching can be extremely irritating to a woman, and too much scratching the skin can lead to more serious damage.

Therefore, topical corticosteroids are commonly administered, as well as emollients and antihistamines. In all cases, of course, they must be indicated by the doctor. Some women may be sensitive to them and, in these cases, they should look for another alternative.

Is hives during pregnancy dangerous?

It is important to highlight that urticaria during pregnancy does not pose risks for either the mother or the baby. It is generally harmless and disappears in the aforementioned periods.

In severe cases, it can cause respiratory problems; these, however, are in the minority. They can occur when inflammation compromises the throat. In such cases, injections of medications that take effect immediately are used.

However, it is essential to have a medical appointment as soon as the first symptoms are detected. Hives during pregnancy cannot be prevented, but it is vital to rule out that it may be a more complex condition.

So if you notice red marks on your abdomen, or even if they’ve spread to other parts of your body, you should take action. You and your baby are not in danger, but it’s always better to have the peace of mind that the professional exam provides.

Don’t forget that you can always (after seeing your doctor) resort to some home remedies to alleviate the most uncomfortable discomforts.