Palmar erythema causes discomfort during pregnancy; you can read more about it in this blog. Pregnancy results in several physical and physicochemical changes in a woman’s body. Palmar erythema is one of the common side effects of being pregnant. This is a skin-related condition in which the palms appear red. The dilation of blood vessels on the hands causes the redness. This is also called “red palm” or “liver palm” disease.
Common symptoms
- The obvious sign of palmar erythema is the appearance of red dotted rashes on the palms.
- Both palms are affected by this condition.
- Your palms may feel warmer than the rest of the hand.
- There is no pain or discomfort. However, some women may feel slightly itchy.
- Mostly the heels of the palms are affected, but in some cases, the redness may also spread to fingers and nails.
- In some cases, the soles of the feet may also become red.
- When you press on the palms, the redness becomes pale.
- The severity of redness depends on other factors such as mood, physical activity and body temperature of the affected person.
What causes palmar erythema?
In pregnancy, numerous hormonal changes occur, leading to different skin conditions, including palmar erythema. The surge in estrogen levels is usually attributed to this condition. Almost 30% of pregnant women are said to be affected with palmar erythema.
The typical duration of this condition is the duration of your pregnancy, and it usually goes away on its own after delivery without causing any further complications. If it is pregnancy related, this condition is known as primary palmar erythema, as another condition does not cause it, and only physical symptoms can be seen.
Other causes
- Palmar erythema may also result from an underlying condition such as liver disease.
- Genetics may also cause this condition.
- It may be caused due to bacterial or viral infections.
- This may be related to a skin condition.
- It may be caused due an underlying medical condition such as an autoimmune disease, endocrine disorder, or diabetes.
If you are affected by palmar erythema, it is better to get your doctor’s evaluation to rule out any underlying problems.
