Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be talking to you about pregnancy related rashes. And you can find written notes on this topic at zero tofinals.com slash pregnancy rashes or in the antenatal care care section of the zero to finals, obstetrics and

gynecology book. So let's get straight into it. There are several pregnancy-related skin changes and

rashes that can occur. This section goes through some of the key ones to remember for your exams.

First let's start by talking about a condition called polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.

Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy is also known as pruritic and urticarial papules and plaques

of pregnancy.

It's an itchy rash that tends to start in the third trimester,

and it usually begins on the abdomen, particularly associated with stretch marks, which are called

striae.

It's characterized by urticarial papules which are raised itchy lumps,

wheels which are raised itchy areas of skin, and plaques which are larger inflamed areas of skin.

The condition will get better towards the end of pregnancy and then improve after delivery.

Management is to control the symptoms with topical amolients, topical steroids,

oral antihistamines and oral steroids may be required in severe cases.

Next let's talk about atopic eruption of pregnancy.

Atopic eruption of pregnancy essentially refers to eczema that flares up during pregnancy.

This includes both women that have never suffered with exma and those that have pre-existing

exma. Atopic eruption of pregnancy presents in the first have never suffered with eczema and those that have pre-existing eczema.

Atopic eruption of pregnancy presents in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

There are two types, E-type or e-type, or eczema type, with exesmitous, inflamed, red and itchy skin,

typically affecting the insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, neck, face and chest, and P-type, or prerigo type, with intensely itchy papules or spots

typically affecting the abdomen, the back and the limbs.

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