It’s rare presentation of Atopic Eruptions of Pregnancy (AEP).
It is only mildly pruritic. Contrary to its name, pruritus is not a major feature.
Prevalence: one in 3,000 pregnancies.
Etiology or pathogenesis: Small case series have failed to implicate immunologic dysfunction or elevated androgen levels. On histopathology, an acute sterile folliculitis is evident and direct immunofluorescence stains are negative.
Diagnosis: is made clinically after excluding other, more common rashes.
Characteristics: Scattered multiple, pruritic, 2- to 4-mm follicle-based papules and pustules initially appear on the abdomen but may spread to the trunk and extremities and become generalized.
The appearance is similar to that of steroid-induced acne and it may be mistaken for acne or microbial folliculitis.
Onset: It occurs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.
Resolution: The skin lesions usually resolve spontaneously one to two months following delivery.
Maternal & fetal effects: The disorder is not associated with any maternal or fetal morbidity, although one small series of patients showed a reduction in fetal birth weight.