Abstract
Rashes in pregnancy are common; they can be caused by physiological disturbances in hormone balance, eruption of a pre-existing skin condition, dermatological conditions specific to pregnancy, or viral illness. This article will consider the diagnosis and management of rashes specific to pregnancy and important viral rashes in pregnancy. Some skin changes seen during pregnancy are associated with maternal and foetal risks, and it is therefore important for GPs to recognise and manage these rashes appropriately.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.British Association of Dermatologists. (2017). Pemphigoid (herpes) gestationis. Retrieved from www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=224&itemtype=document .
2.British Liver Trust. (2011). Obstetric cholestasis / intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Retrieved from www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/liver-information/liver-conditions/obstetric-cholestasis/ .
3.Chandra, M., & Mishra, V. (2017). Clinical approach to infection in pregnancy . Jaypee Brothers Medical Publisher (P) Ltd.
4.DermNetNZ. (2015). Skin problems in pregnancy. Retrieved from www.dermnetnz.org/topics/skin-problems-in-pregnancy/ .
5.Health Protection Agency. (2011). Guidance on viral rash in pregnancy. Retrieved from www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/322688/Viral_rash_in_pregnancy_guidance.pdf .
6.NICE. (2013). Clinical knowledge summary: Measles. Retrieved from https://cks.nice.org.uk/measles#!scenario .
7.NICE. (2015a). Clinical knowledge summary: Itch in pregnancy. Retrieved from https://cks.nice.org.uk/itch-in-pregnancy#!diagnosissub:1 .
8.NICE. (2015b). Clinical knowledge summary: Rubella. Retrieved from https://cks.nice.org.uk/rubella#!scenario:1 .
9.NICE. (2016). Clinical knowledge summary: Chickenpox. Retrieved from https://cks.nice.org.uk/chickenpox#!scenario:1 .
10.NICE. (2017). Clinical knowledge summary: Parvovirus B19. Retrieved from https://cks.nice.org.uk/parvovirus-b19-infection#!scenario:1 .
11.RCGP. (2017). Curriculum statement 3.06: Women’s health. Retrieved from www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/gp-curriculum-overview/online-curriculum/caring-for-the-whole-person/3-06-womens-health.aspx .
12.RCGP. (2017). Curriculum statement 3.21: Care of people with skin conditions. Retrieved from www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/gp-curriculum-overview/online-curriculum/applying-clinical-knowledge-section-2/3-21-skin-problems.aspx .
13.RCOG. (2008). Chickenpox in pregnancy: What you need to know. Retrieved from www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/chickenpox-in-pregnancy.pdf .