Health Tip: Pregnancy Affects the Skin

(HealthDay News) -- Pregnancy affects much of your body, even your skin.

Here's a list of changes to the skin that can occur while you're pregnant, provided by the American Pregnancy Association:

• Stretch marks -- pink or reddish streaks that can occur on your abdomen or breasts.

• Melasma -- dark spots that can appear on the face, especially the cheeks and forehead. They are caused by a change in hormones, which affect the skin's pigmentation.

• Oily skin on the face, or acne.

• Varicose and spider veins, both caused by increased blood circulation.

• Dry, itchy skin on the belly.

• Darkening of the linea nigra -- a dark line that runs from the belly button to the pubic bone.

• Moles and freckles that turn darker.

• Excess skin that forms beneath the breasts or arms.