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Prurigo gravidarum

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

This disorder should not be confused with pruritus gravidarum (itching during pregnancy).

  • atopic eruption of pregnancy is a benign pruritic disorder of pregnancy which includes eczematous and/or papular lesions in patients with an atopic diathesis after exclusion of the other dermatoses of pregnancy. It is the most common dermatosis in pregnancy, accounting for 50% of patients, starts usually early, in 75% before the third trimester, and tends to recur in subsequent pregnancies due to the atopic background
    • 20% of patients suffer from an exacerbation of pre-existing atopic dermatitis with a typical clinical picture
      • remaining 80% experience atopic skin changes for the first time ever or after a long remission (for example, since childhood)
  • lesions consist of excoriated, firm papules; may be confined to the abdomen and extensor surfaces, or generalised
  • lesions are extremely pruritic
  • onset is generally between 25 and 30 weeks' gestation
  • may persist for up to 3 months postpartum

 

Management:

  • treatment topical corticosteroids for several days will usually lead to quick improvement of skin lesions
  • severe cases may require a short course of systemic corticosteroids and antihistamines; phototherapy (UVB) is a safe additional tool, particularly for severe cases in early pregnancy

Course and prognosis

  • maternal prognosis is good even in severe cases as skin lesions usually respond quickly to therapy; recurrence in subsequent pregnancies is common
  • fetal prognosis is unaffected - however there might be a risk of developing atopic skin changes in the infant, later-on

Reference:

  • 1) Ambros-Rudolph CM. Dermatoses of pregnancy - clues to diagnosis, fetal risk and therapy. Ann Dermatol. 2011 Aug;23(3):265-75.
  • 2) Update (1998), 57 (2), 131-5.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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