Can hives during pregnancy affect your baby?

Hives can develop at any stage of pregnancy, although the underlying causes often vary depending on the trimester.

• First trimester: A rapid increase in estrogen and progesterone levels, together with changes in the immune system, makes the skin more reactive to allergens. In addition, stress, fatigue, and morning sickness may also increase the likelihood of developing hives.
• Second trimester: As blood flow to the skin increases, the skin may become more sensitive to environmental triggers such as dust, pollen, pet dander, or certain foods.
• Third trimester: As the baby grows rapidly, the skin on the abdomen and breasts stretches significantly, which may lead to itching and irritation. Hormonal fluctuations and changes in body temperature during this stage can also make symptoms more noticeable.

Can hives affect your baby?

In most cases, pregnancy-related hives are a benign condition and do not directly affect your baby’s development.

Typical symptoms include raised, red or pink welts that may appear individually or merge into larger patches, accompanied by varying degrees of itching. Although hives themselves do not harm the baby, persistent itching can interfere with the mother’s sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.

However, not all itching during pregnancy is simply caused by hives. Other pregnancy-related conditions, such as pruritic eruptions of pregnancy or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), can also cause intense itching. ICP, in particular, often presents with severe itching of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, which tends to worsen at night.

In these situations, prompt medical evaluation and appropriate monitoring are essential to help ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

When should you see a doctor?

Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience:

• Persistent or worsening itching
• Severe itching that disrupts sleep, especially at night
• Itching affecting the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
• Swelling of the lips, eyelids, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction
• Symptoms that do not improve despite appropriate skincare and lifestyle modifications
• Expert care for skin conditions during pregnancy

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hai Van has nearly 40 years of experience in diagnosing and treating dermatological conditions.

She has extensive expertise in managing skin diseases during special stages of life, including pregnancy, as well as inflammatory skin disorders, allergic skin diseases, and skin infections. She also has experience in applying advanced dermatological technologies, including IPL and Nd laser therapy, for skin treatment and rehabilitation.

For every patient, Dr. Van develops an individualized treatment plan and collaborates with other medical specialties whenever necessary to effectively control symptoms while ensuring the highest level of safety for both mother and baby.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with our Dermatology specialists, you can contact our specialist medical teams in the following ways:

Hanoi French Hospital (HFH)

Address: No. 1 Phuong Mai Street, Kim Lien Ward, Hanoi

Consultation hotline: 024.35771100 – 0903497078

WhatsApp: +84 903 497 078