Some women develop severe neurodermatitis during their pregnancy, even though they were not previously affected or were only slightly affected. The reason for this is the hormonal changes in the body that affect the immune system and promote neurodermatitis during pregnancy. Together with our founder and doctor Dr. med. Michaela Hagemann, we have summarized the most important information on detection and basic therapy.
1. When does pregnancy dermatosis occur?
2. What are typical symptoms of neurodermatitis?
3. Is neurodermatitis dangerous during pregnancy?
4. Which cream for neurodermatitis during pregnancy?
When does pregnancy dermatosis occur?
Pregnancy can trigger a flare-up of neurodermatitis, particularly if there is a genetic predisposition to atopic diseases. This change occurs more often than you might think - in fact, it is one of the most common skin changes during pregnancy. In this context, it is referred to as "atopic pregnancy dermatosis" or "pregnancy eczema".
Compared to other diseases, this dermatosis can occur as early as the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms usually subside after birth, but may recur in a subsequent pregnancy.
What are typical symptoms of neurodermatitis?
The signs of atopic dermatitis during pregnancy are similar to the typical symptoms of conventional atopic dermatitis and are particularly evident in intense itching and the appearance of dry, reddened patches of skin. Areas on the face, neck, décolleté, elbows and the backs of the knees are particularly affected.
Is neurodermatitis dangerous during pregnancy?
Pregnancy neurodermatitis is generally completely harmless to the health of the unborn child . However, any noticeable changes to the skin should always be checked by a doctor. To ensure the optimal health of mother and child, it is essential to make the diagnosis early, ensure careful monitoring and ensure appropriate medical care if necessary.
Which cream for neurodermatitis during pregnancy?
Despite a clear diagnosis, every therapeutic measure during pregnancy requires a careful consideration of the risk factors. If neurodermatitis occurs during this time, a basic moisturizing and hydrating treatment is usually recommended, which is considered completely safe for the unborn child. Even if the symptoms do not disappear completely, regular basic care can help to slowly restore and stabilize the skin's natural barrier.
When choosing a suitable base cream, you should pay particular attention to a clean formula and natural ingredients. If necessary, you should apply cream to the affected areas several times a day. Mild, moisturizing shower and bath oils can also be used for washing, bathing or showering. They provide the skin with an extra portion of moisture and prevent the skin from drying out further.
With a careful selection of hypoallergenic ingredients, our entire med series is also suitable for expectant mothers. For daily care, we recommend our mild base cream and our care bath for bathing very sensitive skin.
You can also find further tips in our two blog posts on basic care for neurodermatitis and bathing with sensitive skin .
OUR EXPERT
Dr. med Michaela Hagemann I boep founder, doctor & mother of three
Sources:
Ambros-Rudolpf, CM Pregnancy dermatoses. In: G. Pelzig et al., Braun-Falco's Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology. Springer Reference Medicine (2017). https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-662-49546-9_81-1
Bauer-Delto, A. Skin in other circumstances. In: Midwifery Practice, Volume 2, pages 42-43. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43877-021-0138-y
