Dermatologic Diseases and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the skin undergoes significant changes due to various endocrine, metabolic, and immunologic adjustments. These changes can be physiological or endocrine-induced, and while they are considered normal due to their regular occurrence, they can become pathological if severe. Pigmentary changes include darkening of the areolae, known as secondary areolae. Nail changes can include Beau's lines, brittleness or softening, distal onycholysis, subungual keratosis, and accelerated nail growth. Vascular changes related to distention, fragility, and proliferation of vessels also occur. Breast changes include enlargement, tenderness, erect nipples, hyperpigmentation of nipples and areolae, prominence of veins, striae, and Montgomery's tubercles. Striae distensae, or stretch marks, are linear violaceous bands that over time progress to pink or white atrophic lines.