| PUPPP | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
Left side view of abdomen |
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| ICD-10 | O99.7 (ILDS O99.740) |
| DiseasesDB | 30030 |
| eMedicine | derm/351 |
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), known in United Kingdom as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP),[1] is a chronic hives-like rash that strikes some women during pregnancy. Although extremely annoying for its sufferers (because of the itch), it presents no long-term risk for either the mother or unborn child. PUPPP frequently begins on the stomach and spreads to the legs, feet, arms, chest, and neck.[2]
Although affecting about one in two hundred pregnancies and the commonest of the dermatoses of pregnancy,[2] the condition was only formally identified and described in 1979.[3]
PUPPP is also known as Late-onset prurigo of pregnancy,[4] Toxemic rash of pregnancy[4] (not to be confused with "Toxemia of pregnancy" which is an alternative term for Pre-eclampsia), and Toxic erythema of pregnancy.[4]
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The appearance of the condition changes over time.[5] It starts with pruritic (itchy) urticarial (wheals) papules (small, solid elevations of the skin) in 98% of cases. However over half develop multiple forms (polymorphic) with erythema (redness), vesicles (small blisters), and targetoid and eczematous (eczema-like) lesions. The two sets of appearances gives rise therefore to both the American term of 'Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy' and the British description of 'Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy'.
Papules and plaques usually start appearing on the abdomen (although not on the umbilicus/bellybutton/tummybutton itself) and often spreads to the legs, chest, underarms, etc. The face is usually also spared and does not seem to become affected.
Skin distension (stretching) is a common factor in PUPPP, which is more common in mothers with large fundal measurements and/or those who are carrying large babies, twins, and triplets. The papules and plaques often first appear within stretch marks.
Certain studies reveal that this condition is more frequent in women carrying boys, although no formal research has been conducted. Statistics cite that 70% percent of PUPPP sufferers deliver boys.
The cause of the condition is unknown,[1] but the distension of the skin is thought to play a role as this condition occurs mostly in first pregnancies (primigravida), in the third trimester and is more likely with multiple pregnancies (more so with triplets than twins or than singletons).[6][7]
Other than additional associations with hypertension and induction of labour, there are no observed difference in the outcome of the pregnancy for mothers or babies.[8]
Treatment of mild cases during pregnancy consists mainly of the application of topical moisturising creams or aqueous/emollient ointments. Class I or II corticosteroid creams and ointments are used in more aggressive cases, and oral (systemic) corticosteroids can be used to treat very severe cases—although the benefits of a pregnant woman's ingesting high-potency corticosteroids must be weighed carefully against possible (and mostly unknown) risks to the developing fetus or fetuses. Rarely, in unusually persistent and distressing cases, some women have had their labor induced as soon as they are considered to be at term (37 weeks).[9]
Antihistamine tablets may be prescribed to provide relief from the itch, although they are generally considered much less effective than corticosteroid treatments,[10] and may act as little more than a sleep aid.
In the majority of cases, PUPPP resolves spontaneously within a week of delivery. However, a few women continue to experience symptoms long into the postpartum period.
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