03_BT_March 2022

Bump to Birth
Post Natal Care
5. Spider Veins and
Varicose Veins
Spider veins are
usually a transitory
side effect of
pregnancy. When
your blood
volume returns
to normal after
delivery, they
usually diminish.
This can happen in
three or four months.
However, they may not always go away
completely. Dr Ch’ng explains that spider
veins and varicose veins often arise from
increased pressure to the leg veins due to
weight gain.
Following pregnancy, when progesterone
levels return to normal, varicose veins in
some women tend to improve. However,
varicose veins can also persist in certain
women after childbirth and worsen with
subsequent pregnancies, regardless of
which category you fall into.
6. Hair Loss
Telogen effluvium is the term for an
increase in shedding hairs after giving
birth. Postpartum hair loss is also
known as ‘wimpy buns’. It usually starts
one to six months following childbirth.
While it can continue up to 18 months,
most women notice that their hair
returns much sooner.
“Telogen effluvium is caused by
psychological or physical stress after
delivery,” Dr Ch’ng says. “Therefore,
we have to make sure that the patient
is not anaemic or have low iron levels
during pregnancy and delivery. Some
of the patients can develop thyroid
disease during pregnancy, and that
itself can also cause hair loss.”
7. Underlying Medical Illnesses
Once your baby is born, your immune
system returns to its pre-pregnancy
state. Certain underlying illnesses can
pop up during this time, including skin
diseases. “Underlying medical illness
may worsen during pregnancy because
of changes in the immune system,” Dr
Ch’ng says. Psoriasis, for example, is
a common condition that flares up or
worsens after giving birth.
8. Contact Skin Allergy
Contact dermatitis is a red rash caused
by an allergic reaction due to contact
with certain substances. The rash can
be itchy, but it isn’t contagious or lifethreatening,
although it can be rather
bothersome. Drugs, soaps, cosmetics,
perfumes, jewellery, and plants can
trigger allergic responses.
“Sometimes, patients may develop
drug allergies as a result of the drugs
administered during delivery,” Dr Ch’ng
adds. “Occasionally patients may also
develop contact skin allergy to liniments
or “urut” during confinement.”
Liniment is a medicated topical
preparation formulated into lotions or
balms for application to the skin. It is
also sometimes called a heat rub.
Treatments and
Natural Remedies
Most postpartum skin problems tend
to resolve on their own in a matter
of time. If they don’t, consult your
healthcare provider. Here are some
medical recommendations by Dr Ch’ng
to treat various skin problems after
giving birth.
• Stretch marks:
Moisturise, and if it
persists, we may
recommend lasers
or ultrasound
devices to tighten
the skin.
• Melasma: We
need to prevent the
condition from getting
worse by UV avoidance. We
can also improve the condition with
a combination treatment of oral,
topicals, and lasers.
• Lumps and bumps: These
can easily be removed
via lasers if they
are cosmetically
affecting the
patients.
• Saggy skin:
Lifting energybased
devices such
as micro-focused
ultrasound with direct
visualisation can help.
• Fat: For skin fat, it can be removed
using a device that cools the fat and
gradually induces the fat cells to die.
• Spider veins: Vascular lasers are an
effective treatment for this condition.
• Acne: Products with physical
treatment are usually
recommended. Sometimes patients
may need oral treatment such as
antibiotics and retinoids.
• Telogen Effluvium: DO NOTHING.
Most of the time, it will grow back
on its own within six months.
• Contact skin allergy: Stop using the
liniments that cause the problem –
you may also need topical steroids.
In addition, you
can follow
home
remedies for
sustaining
your skin
health.
Have a
cardio routine
to burn fat
and help tone
muscles. Drink
a lot of fluids and consume
foods rich in protein and
fats. Oil massages and
skin spa treatments as
per the recommendation
of your dermatologist is
good as well.
“Depending on the skin
condition, for oily skin
patients, I’ll tell them to use
a cleanser during the day to
reduce oil followed by a sunblock. At
night I’ll ask them to use a hydrating
cleanser with moisturisers,” Dr Ch’ng
advises. “Sometimes, we may add
on a night cream that contains
retinoids. But for some
patients with dry skin, it’s
best to concentrate on
moisturising the skin
and if it is on the face,
use non-comedogenic
products.”
18 BabyTalk | March 2022