Peeling skin during pregnancy: reasons
During a wonderful time of pregnancy for every woman, the expectant mother undergoes a serious restructuring of her body. It adapts as much as possible to the needs of the growing baby, and in the last trimester prepares for childbirth. A pregnant woman experiences external and internal changes.
And pregnancy also means, one way or another, stress, poor health, and fatigue. And all these factors affect the condition of the skin not in the best way.
Why does skin peel during pregnancy?
- Natural need for water
- Physical changes
- Lack of vitamins and microelements
- Stress
- Improper care
- Hormonal changes
Expectant mothers need to take into account that the volume of liquid consumed now goes not only to her needs, but also to the needs of the baby. From the second trimester, amniotic fluid will begin to form, and the lack of water in the body can become noticeable and manifest itself, among other things, as the problem of flaky skin.
When a pregnant woman’s figure begins to change, her breasts enlarge, her hips expand, her belly with the baby inside grows, and her skin stretches. This process may be accompanied by itching and flaking of the skin of the abdomen. During pregnancy, breasts often peel off due to secretions and colostrum released from the nipples.
The expectant mother should carefully monitor her diet and eat enough nutrients for the health of her unborn child. Vitamin deficiency, especially a lack of vitamins A, E, B, leads to dryness of the epidermis and is manifested by peeling of the skin of the face, hands and feet during pregnancy.
It's normal to feel anxious during pregnancy. But not in the case when stress is accompanied not only by psychological discomfort, but also by physical manifestations. When stressed during pregnancy, the skin on the arms and legs peels and severe itching occurs.
Insufficient hygiene, especially if pregnancy occurs in a hot climate and during the warm season, leads to skin irritation, dryness, and flaking.
As a result of changes in hormonal levels, the secretion of sebum, which is necessary for sufficient hydration of the skin, is disrupted. If the epidermis is excessively dry, peeling of the skin may begin.
Sometimes unwanted hormonal changes occur against the background of disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and systems. Pregnant women may experience abnormalities in the functioning of the endocrine system, which lead to a decrease in estrogen levels (this hormone, among other things, is responsible for the good condition of the skin). With hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland begins to produce less hormones, which is also reflected in the form of peeling and itching of the skin. Lack of prolactin (the hormone plays an important role during lactation) is manifested by increased sweating, which often causes itching and peeling of the skin of the abdomen and body during pregnancy. Also, a large group of causes of skin peeling are specific dermatoses of pregnant women, manifested by itching, rashes, dryness and flaking of the skin.
Crusts on the nipples. Causes of crusts on nipples
Crusts on the nipples are an unpleasant symptom that can cause discomfort and anxiety. The article discusses the main reasons for this manifestation and ways to solve the problem.
Symptoms
The appearance of crusts on the nipples can be noticed upon self-examination. They may appear as small, light-colored particles of a light yellow hue. Such crusts can be found both on the nipples themselves and on the milk pores (these are the holes from which milk comes out during lactation), and on the areolas.
In some cases, the manifestation in question is accompanied by other symptoms, such as discharge from the nipples, increased sensitivity, engorgement and increase in size, breast swelling, a feeling of fullness and heaviness, palpable lumps. Sometimes there is pain, enlargement of regional axillary or cervical lymph nodes, signs of inflammation (hyperemia, redness, swelling), as well as a general deterioration in the woman’s condition. Possible itching, skin rashes, burning.
Causes
The reasons for the appearance of crusts on the nipples can be very diverse. They can be divided into several groups:
- Physiological
- Pathological
Physiological reasons
This group includes factors associated with processes occurring in the body:
- Lactation. During this period, milk is produced, and drops of it may remain on the nipples after feeding and dry out, forming crusts. Also, minor spontaneous discharge is possible between feedings. In addition, milk may be secreted and leaked from the breast in small quantities even after lactation has ended for about six months to a year.
- Normal physiological secretions. They may be present outside the lactation period and not be associated with any abnormalities. But their quantity will be insignificant and minimal, and the leakage usually goes unnoticed and is detected after the discharge has dried and crusts have formed.
- Pregnancy. In its second half, colostrum is released from the nipples, which, when dried, can form yellowish crusts.
- Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules. Crusts that appear on the nipples may be the result of contamination and untimely removal. So, if you shower irregularly and rarely change your underwear, then particles of dirt, sebum and fibers of the fabric from which the bra is made can mix, linger on the most prominent parts of the chest and form crusts.
Peeling nipples during pregnancy
Already in the first weeks, many pregnant women notice changes in their breasts. She becomes too sensitive, the mammary glands become enlarged, and discharge from the nipples appears. And at the same time, the nipples can itch and peel. This is not a pathology, but one of the most common conditions found in pregnant women.
What causes peeling of the breasts and nipples?
- With nipple discharge
- With an allergic reaction
- With increasing breast size
Even during pregnancy, the body begins to prepare for the birth of a child and the upcoming feeding. Small white bubbles appear on the nipple halo, secreting secretions. It lubricates the nipple to protect against dryness.
Excessive secretion and insufficient hygiene lead to irritation of the breast skin, itching, and peeling.
In the last trimester, colostrum begins to be released from the mammary glands (this is especially true for women who have previously given birth and have developed thoracic ducts). The liquid dries on the breasts, resulting in a feeling of tight skin, itching, and peeling in the nipple area.
Increased skin sensitivity during pregnancy can cause allergic reactions to clothing, especially synthetic ones. On the chest, an allergy will manifest itself as itching, irritation, dryness and flaking. The same reaction can be caused by a hygiene product: shower gel or body cream.
During pregnancy, the mammary glands enlarge and in the last trimester they are filled with milk for future feeding. With breast enlargement, the skin stretches quickly and unevenly, which causes itching, dryness and flaking.
What to do if your nipples peel during pregnancy?
To eliminate unpleasant sensations, careful hygiene and care is sufficient. Breasts and nipples should be washed regularly with warm water (can be wiped with a damp towel) and wiped dry.
To prevent allergies, it is better to choose cotton underwear and change your bra size in a timely manner.
Lubricate the skin around the nipples with a hypoallergenic remedy for dry skin. La-Cri MAMA emulsion is perfect for these purposes. It not only moisturizes and softens the skin, but also effectively fights the formation of stretch marks that can appear on the breasts as a result of breast enlargement.
If peeling nipples during pregnancy are very disturbing, does not go away even with proper care, or is accompanied by other symptoms: chest pain, change in skin color, increased body temperature, purulent or bloody discharge from the nipples, general malaise - this is a reason to urgently consult a doctor.
Complications of cracked nipples
Cracked nipples during breastfeeding can greatly complicate the process of feeding the baby itself, which creates the need to switch to artificial formula without treating this disease.
Cracks in the nipples of the breast can be complicated by the penetration of infection into the wounds of the nipple, forming severe catarrhal or purulent inflammation of not only the nipple, but also the entire mammary gland (mastitis).
When Candida albicans gets on a wound, it causes the development of nipple thrush, which makes it impossible to continue feeding the baby, since the risk of infection is high.
Cracked nipples can facilitate the transmission of infections from mother to baby.
Experts' opinion
An important component of the emulsion is licorice extract, the anti-inflammatory activity of which has been clinically proven as part of a study of the biological activity of aqueous extracts of chamomile flowers, raspberries, licorice rhizomes and their combinations at the Bashkir State University.[1]
A clinical study of La-Cri products proves their high effectiveness, safety and tolerability for daily skin care of adults and children. The products are recommended by the Union of Pediatricians of Russia and are safe for the delicate skin of the expectant mother.
Why do halos lighten? Areola (anatomy)
Elliptical areola
The areola roughly outlines the area of the nipple of the mammary gland. The color of the pigment varies among individuals, ranging from light pink to dark brown, depending on the amount of two melanin compounds: eumelanin (brown pigment) and pheomelanin (red pigment).
The size of the areola may change due to hormonal changes caused by menstruation, certain medications, and aging. The areola is usually darker during pregnancy. After childbirth, their original size can be partially or completely restored, but this is individual for each woman.
The size and shape of the areola also varies widely. Women's areolas tend to be larger than those of men and girls before puberty. The areola in most men has a diameter of about 25 millimeters, and in women about 30 millimeters. In some women, the areola can reach ten centimeters. In women with relatively large breasts and in women who are breastfeeding, the size of the areola may exceed 10 cm.
Small bumps on the areola are called Montgomery glands.
The shape of the areola is usually round, but much less often in some men and women it can have the shape of an ellipse.
- St. Petersburg, 1890—1907.
Peeling of hands during pregnancy
Dry skin occurs on the hands more often than on other parts of the body. This is due to the fact that hands are exposed to constant external influences and are often not protected from the sun and chemicals. The situation worsens during pregnancy, and the skin begins to peel off on the hands and fingers even more actively, up to the formation of cracks and wounds.
Dry hand skin requires a special product, for example, La Cree cream for dry skin, which perfectly softens and nourishes the skin, protecting it from peeling and drying out. And if your hands are already chapped, the cream will have an anti-itching effect, relieve redness and peeling.
Treatment of cracked nipples
Treatment of cracked nipples is carried out at their first appearance, which is aimed at reducing their trauma and excessive drying.
To prevent the nipple area from drying out, you can use both drops of breast milk (this lubricates the nipple after breastfeeding) and various oils (sea buckthorn, olive).
Treatment of cracked nipples includes the use of wound-healing ointments or creams (bepanthen, lanolin), and if wounds become infected, you can use antibacterial ointments (baneocin).
Cracked nipples should be treated using physiotherapy methods that help relieve inflammation and its signs (swelling, pain, redness and dysfunction), and also increases the body’s protective properties, has a bactericidal effect and promotes rapid wound healing. A specialist from Belozerova’s hardware therapy clinic “M-Clinic” will tell you how to treat cracked nipples.
Peeling skin during pregnancy: what to do
- Cleanse skin thoroughly. This is especially true for the breasts and nipples, where secretions are constantly released.
- Drink enough fluids.
- Use special products for dryness and stretch marks, which contain a minimum of chemicals.
- Eat right, take vitamins.
- Wear clothes made from natural fabrics.
It should be understood that if peeling is caused by any abnormalities in the body, eliminating only external manifestations will not be effective. If such disorders are diagnosed by a gynecologist after a regular examination, he will refer the pregnant woman to specialized specialists.
Sources:
- Habiff Thomas P., Clinical Dermatology. Acne-like and papulosquamous dermatoses, publishing house: MEDpress-inform, 2014
- Churolinov Petr, Herbal medicine in dermatology and cosmetics, Medicine and Physical Education Publishing House, 1979
- Schneiderman Paul, Grossman Mark, Differential diagnosis in dermatology. Atlas, Publishing house: Binom, 2017
What are cracks?
It is not at all difficult to distinguish cracked nipples. They resemble a groove or narrow defect in the skin running from the tip of the nipple towards the areola.
Nipple cracks can be single or multiple, thin and rather wide, blue-eyed and located in the superficial layers of the skin. They appear on one or both mammary glands. At first the crack is dry, then ichor or blood begins to flow out of it.
The main symptom, which appears even before visible cracks, is pain when the child touches and sucks the gland.
When pathogenic microbes or fungus get into the cracks of the nipples, they become inflamed and gradually turn into ulcers.
Should I stop breastfeeding if I have cracks?
No, this is completely unnecessary if the cracks are not caused by infection or do not become infected after they appear. Of course, if the damage is deep, blood or ichor is oozing from the injured nipple, you should not give it to the child. It's better to wait for complete healing. The same applies to inflammation, conditions in which the milk is contaminated or the baby can become infected through contact with the nipple. In such cases, you need to see a doctor, consult with him about taking medications and the possibility of continuing feeding. You should not neglect a visit to the doctor; each case is individual and needs separate consideration. If there is no infection or extensive damage, then there is no prohibition on feeding even if there are cracks. But there are ways to relieve pain and reduce the risk of further injury to the chest.
