Eczema in pregnancy

doi:10.1136/bmj.39227.671227.AE

BMJ 2007;335:152-154 (21 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.39227.671227.AE

Practice

Pregnancy plus

Eczema in pregnancy

Sophie Weatherhead, Wellcome clinical training fellow¹, Stephen C Robson, professor of fetal medicine², Nick J Reynolds, professor of dermatology¹

¹ Dermatological Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, ² Uterine Cell Signalling Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine

Correspondence to: N J Reynolds N.J.Reynolds@ncl.ac.uk

Many women with eczema experience flares during pregnancy, andmanagement must take account of the possible effects of sometreatments on the fetus

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Atopic eczema has a reported lifetime prevalence of 8-17% inadults aged under 60.¹ It is more common in women, affecting16% in the United Kingdom, and in adults has its highest prevalencebetween the ages of 16 and 24.² The incidence of eczema seemsto be generally increasing, particularly in children.³ ⁴ Moderateto severe eczema can be particularly difficult to manage, andsecond line treatments are often needed to control it.⁵

As the scenario suggests, treatment options become limited whena patient decides to try to conceive, and disease control isoften suboptimal. This article discusses management of eczemaand the important implications in pregnancy.

SCENARIO
A 26 year old woman with lifelong moderate to severeatopic eczema had been unable to achieve good disease controlwith topical drugs. She received narrow band ultraviolet B phototherapyin 2001 but relapsed within a short time. As part of a randomisedcontrolled . . . [Full text of this article]

Methods

How common is eczema in pregnancy?

Does pregnancy affect eczema?

Does eczema affect the outcome of pregnancy?

How is a patient with eczema managed in pregnancy?

Advice for eczema patients before conception
Eczema treatmentsin pregnancy
Safe
Relatively safe (caution)
Avoid
Recommended minimum systemic drug-freeinterval before conception