Skin changes and diseases associated with pregnancy.

During the gestational period, the skin is among the many organs undergoing changes. Various endocrine changes occurring in pregnancy are thought to give rise to certain skin changes such as pigmentary alterations, abnormalities in hair growth, vascular anomalies, and striae. Also, there are several skin diseases unique to the pregnant woman. Whereas the physiologic skin changes are mainly of cosmetic importance, the various pregnancy-unique skin diseases have associated symptoms, and an increase in both fetal and/or maternal morbidity and mortality is associated with several of these skin diseases.