Hey there, friend! If you’re pregnant and dealing with atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, you’re definitely not alone. This condition can cause your skin to feel itchy and inflamed, leading to those pesky red or darker patches that seem to flare up at the worst times. In fact, more than half of those with eczema experience their first symptoms during pregnancy, often due to hormonal changes that can exacerbate the condition.
When it comes to treating atopic dermatitis during pregnancy, there are a few options your healthcare provider might recommend. Treatments can be topical, like creams and moisturizers, or systemic, which means they involve medications taken by mouth or through injections. For more information on specific medications, check out our fact sheets online, or chat with a specialist for tailored advice.
Typically, topical treatments are favored during pregnancy since they present a lower risk to the developing baby. When you take a medication orally, it can enter the bloodstream and potentially cross the placenta. However, with topical products, especially when applied to small areas of healthy skin, the skin serves as an effective barrier, limiting absorption into the bloodstream.
If topical treatments aren’t doing the trick for you, there’s another option to consider: light therapy, also known as phototherapy. This involves exposing the skin to controlled ultraviolet (UV) light, which can help reduce inflammation and itching. There are different types of light therapy, including narrowband (NBUVB), broadband (BBUVB), and psoralen plus UVA (PUVA). While UV light might sound intimidating, it’s worth noting that it’s not harmful radiation like you might think.
When it comes to using light therapy during pregnancy, research is still limited, but it generally doesn’t seem to lead to complications. Most types of UV light aren’t absorbed through the skin in a way that would affect your baby. However, be cautious with NBUVB and BBUVB phototherapy as they may lower folic acid levels, which are crucial for your baby’s development during the first trimester. So make sure to chat with your healthcare provider about folic acid supplementation if you’re considering this treatment. On the flip side, it’s important to avoid PUVA light therapy during pregnancy due to its potential risks, such as low birth weight.
If you want to dive deeper into how atopic dermatitis and light therapy can affect pregnancy, participating in a study can help contribute to our understanding. You can find more about ongoing studies and how you can get involved in the conversation!
Don’t forget the importance of skin protection after light therapy; your healthcare provider might suggest using sunscreen. While some sunscreen ingredients can be absorbed through the skin, there’s no proven risk to pregnancy from common options. Mineral sunscreens, which sit on top of the skin, are great alternatives since they don’t penetrate deeply.
Before starting any new treatments, it’s always best to consult your healthcare provider. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits of light therapy and other options. And if light therapy isn’t for you, consider other treatments available to manage your symptoms. For more insights on pregnancy and family planning, check out our blog on how lesbian couples can get pregnant and start a family.
In summary, managing atopic dermatitis during pregnancy can be tricky, but with the right guidance and options—including light therapy—there’s hope for relief. Always consult with your healthcare provider to figure out the best approach for you and your baby. You’ve got this!