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.