Hives during pregnancy

The fact that some women have to deal with hives during pregnancy along with the various other symptoms that occur is unfortunate, but the good news is that this condition is considered quite rare.  Hives are usually an allergic response that develops as raised, red or pale colored wheals on the skin. The skin condition often results in intolerable itching. Hives develop as clustered or gathered bumps that at times alter in location, size and shape on the body. They generally develop on the arms, back and legs. One of the main causes is the release of different hormones, which can result in the body releasing histamines that dry out the skin. Another cause is Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy, or PUPP, which can result in hives all over the body. Finally, the fact that pregnancy tends to stretch out the skin, depleting the moisture in it, means that some women can get hives on their stomach.

Having hives during pregnancy is neither detrimental to the mother’s health nor to the baby in the womb. However, the involved itching can be very frustrating to the mother. Studies have indicated that in 99 percent of pregnancy cases, women do not develop hives at all. It is only occasionally that hives and pregnancy go hand in hand. Usually, women deal with intolerable itching on the skin during pregnancy, particularly, on the abdomen, breasts, back of legs, and so on. This is due to the skin stretching to cater to the developing baby inside. Also, the rush of hormones that occur in pregnancy may encourage dryness to the skin and result in itching.

In some cases, the cause of hives during pregnancy is just due to dry skin, as it typically loses moisture as it is stretched out. This is often the cause when the hives appear only on the stomach, especially if it has grown particularly quickly. In such cases, stretch marks may also be present since they tend to occur when the skin is stretched quickly and is unable to repair itself due to lack of moisture. Women may be able to prevent hives during pregnancy due to dry skin by keeping the area moisturized with lotion. It is also often advised that pregnant women avoid using harsh soaps that tend to dry out the skin, as mild soap followed by cocoa butter or similar lotions can lock in moisture.

A skin condition almost the same as hives, known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy is found to develop among pregnant women. It is usually noticed in the last trimester. Hives and pregnancy generally do not have a trigger. The precise cause of this condition is not clear but it is believed that the stretching of the skin during pregnancy is a considerable factor.