Are stomach rashes common in pregnancy?
Rashes and itchiness during pregnancy has many causes. Most are completely benign and only need symptom-relief. Occasionally an itch and rash can be associated with liver problems, when jaundice, or yellowing of the skin may also occur. It is important to remember that no-one can make a diagnosis over the web – especially as far as rashes are concerned – so a visit to the GP is really necessary. The most common cause is a pregnancy-associated rash that just comes on in the third trimester, starting on the abdomen with red blotches, initially only a couple of millimetres in diameter, with a light halo around, but eventually joining up to form an intense red rash. This then may spread to thighs, buttocks and arms over the next few days to a week. This pregnancy-associated rash is also known as PUPPP or ‘pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy’. No specific cause is known, but it is thought to be due to an abnormal response to the stretching of the abdominal skin during pregn
