What Are Skin Tags During Pregnancy?
Skin tags are flesh coloured soft growths which develop in places where skin folds touch each other. They can be located on your neck, armpits, below your breasts, and in your groin region. Approximately 12% of expectant mothers experience skin tags, whereas 20% complain of other skin changes during pregnancy.
These growths pose no harm whatsoever and are not cancerous. Most women usually find these symptoms during their second trimester, which happens between weeks 14 and 27 of pregnancy.
Why Skin Tags Form During Pregnancy
Skin tag formation takes place as a result of two mild stimuli:
- Hormonal changes: Oestrogen, progesterone, and leptin levels are significantly elevated during pregnancy. These hormones promote skin cell proliferation.
- Skin friction: Due to the physical transformation, skin folds come into contact more often. A warmer climate causes skin irritation.
Leptin levels grow by 2-3 times during pregnancy and lead to skin proliferation directly.
Insulin Resistance Indicator
These findings give you hope; skin tags serve as a sign of developing insulin resistance. The groundbreaking research conducted in 2007 proves that patients with several skin tags had an elevated level of diabetes risk irrespective of other factors.
The following results were observed for pregnant women:
- 40% of pregnant women who suffer from both skin tags and acanthosis nigricans had gestational diabetes
- If a woman had both skin tags and acanthosis nigricans, she had a 4.8-fold risk of GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) development compared to women without these skin conditions
- Patients with over 30 skin tags had a 52% elevated risk of type 2 diabetes
However, remember that skin tags do not indicate the presence of diabetes; they merely help to get checked on time.
Gestational Diabetes in India
India has some of the highest rates of gestational diabetes in the world. Knowing what is common in your local area makes it easier to take care of yourself:
Gestational diabetes affects 22.4% of pregnant women in India (almost 1 in 4)
Central India sees up to 32.9% gestational diabetes prevalence, compared to 16% in the Western region
Some of the important risk factors are:
- Maternal age above 30 years
- Pre-pregnancy BMI of above or equal to 25
- A history of diabetes in the family
- PCOS
- Delivery of a baby above 4kg
Taking Care of Yourself With Confidence
Make these easy adjustments once you have noticed skin tags while being pregnant:
- Undergo tests early on: Request glucose tests between 12-14 weeks from your physician if skin tags multiply
- Keep track: See how many skin tags you have. More than 30 skin tags call for an early test
- Let your healthcare provider know: These facts mean a lot to your obstetrician
- Exercise: Aim to walk 3-4 kilometres a day to ensure your insulin is within a normal range
- Eat healthy: Focus on whole grains, veggies, and lean protein products; avoid sweets
Pregnancy-related skin tags may be an indication of internal changes happening in your body, which may include having gestational diabetes. While skin tags aren't harmful to your health, a growing number of them can serve as a sign that you need to give your health and metabolic state extra attention.
In order to do so, keep track of skin changes and discuss them with your physician when attending prenatal appointments. By maintaining healthy insulin levels through a healthy diet and physical activity, you'll have the best chances for a smooth and healthy pregnancy experience.
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FAQs on Skin Tags During Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes: Understanding the Connection
- If I get skin tags, does that mean that I have GDM?
Not necessarily. Skin tags do not indicate GDM. Instead, skin tags show that it would be advisable to perform glucose testing in order to maintain good health. 40% of women who have both skin tags and acanthosis nigricans suffer from gestational diabetes, while others who only have skin tags remain free from diabetes. - Will skin tags go away when my child is born?
Yes, most skin tags either vanish or drop off naturally within 3-6 months following childbirth because of the normalisation of hormones. - At what number of skin tags will I require glucose testing?
When you observe more than 30 skin tags, make sure to go for glucose testing. Having more than 10 skin tags also requires consulting your obstetrician.
