Psoriasis and Pregnancy:
Hormonal Pregnancy Changes Impact Psoriasis

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Research concerning the influence that psoriasis and pregnancy have on each other is inconclusive so far. Some women experience a worsening of plaques during pregnancy, while others see a definite improvement in psoriasis lesions. Doctors know that this discrepancy involves hormonal changes, but have not discovered the mechanism behind this process.

In addition, the majority of women suffering from psoriasis have reported more outbreaks after giving birth and during menopause.

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Hormonal Connections

Relating to the partnership of psoriasis and also maternity, scientists are specific that while pregnant the body system generates various other chemicals, not yet recognized, that play essential parts in psoriasis enhancement or intensifying while pregnant.

While pregnant, huge quantities of progesterone as well as estrogen are launched, 2 bodily hormones crucial for advertising a healthy and balanced maternity. Researchers think that given that these bodily hormones improve the immune system and also give powerful immunosuppressive results to secure the female from disease, psoriasis additionally gets these impacts.

An additional anti-inflammatory hormonal agent energetic while pregnant is cortisol, launched in reaction the body system being under maternity "anxiety". Cortisol is the cornerstone in cortisone lotions, which successfully relieves the itching and also scaling of psoriasis plaques.

Treatment of Psoriasis During Pregnancy

Pregnant women should never self-medicate for psoriasis unless advised by a physician. While psoriasis is not a barrier to having children, certain medications may be detrimental to the health of the mother and the baby.

Further, new mothers need to be aware that psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed on to the child during childbirth, unless the child inherited the genetic predisposition for potentially developing psoriasis from the mother, father or other close blood relative. The National Psoriasis Foundation states that a child has a 10 percent chance of experiencing psoriasis if one parent carries the gene.

Facts about psoriasis and pregnancy interactions include:

• Research has found Humira to be safe for use in pregnant women suffering from psoriasis.
• UVB therapy, which uses ultraviolet light, is safe to use during pregnancy and will not affect the unborn child. However, it does pose a slight risk regarding melanoma in the individual receiving this treatment.
• Risk of psoriasis being contributing to miscarriage has not been established. A 2007 edition of Dermatology reports that in research involving over 3000 pregnancies, instances of psoriatic women suffering miscarriages were no greater than in those without psoriasis.
• Medications, including topical ointments, can potentially enter breast milk and be passed onto infants. Women with psoriasis who choose to breastfeed should discuss treatment plans with their physician.
• Instances of pregnant women experiencing impetigo herpetiformis, which is a severe type of psoriasis but rare, have been reported. Generally appearing during the last three months of pregnancy, shortly before the birth of the baby.

The safest treatments for psoriasis during pregnancy are emollients. Moisturizing creams that do not contain synthetic chemicals can provide relief from the intense itching and pain of hard, cracked lesion but will probably not reduce the appearance of psoriatic lesions. However, dermatologists sometimes allow pregnant women to use small amounts of corticosteroids or lotions containing salicylic acid on limited areas of the skin.

Psoriasis and pregnancy treatments to definitely avoid include:

• Vitamin "A" derivatives such as methotrexate and Acitretin--These may cause congenital defects and even miscarriages. Additionally, women who are already taking these medications should employ effective contraceptive measures, since these chemicals remain in the body for up several months following cessation of dosages.
• Men suffering from psoriasis who take methotrexate should be aware that this drug affects male sperm in ways that researchers are still investigating. As a result, men should stop taking methotrexate at least three months before trying to have a child.
• Because coal tar contains polycyclic hydrocarbons that are potentially hazardous, pregnant women should avoid using this treatment for psoriasis.
• With little research regarding the effect of biologics on pregnant women, doctors do not normally prescribe these medications to psoriatic pregnant women.

Interactions between psoriasis and pregnancy are the subject of ongoing research that will hopefully discover more effective treatments, which provide relief that is safe to both mother and child.

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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

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