Health Tip: Pregnancy Affects the Skin

Here's what may happen

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(HealthDay News) -- Pregnancy affects much of your body, even your skin.

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Here's a list of changes to the skin that can occur while you're pregnant, provided by the American Pregnancy Association:

• Stretch marks -- pink or reddish streaks that can occur on your abdomen or breasts.
• Melasma -- dark spots that can appear on the face, especially the cheeks and forehead. They are caused by a change in hormones, which affect the skin's pigmentation.
• Oily skin on the face, or acne.
• Varicose and spider veins, both caused by increased blood circulation.
• Dry, itchy skin on the belly.
• Darkening of the linea nigra -- a dark line that runs from the belly button to the pubic bone.
• Moles and freckles that turn darker.
• Excess skin that forms beneath the breasts or arms.

-- Diana Kohnle