Pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy is currently classified as atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP) in a retrospective study done in 2006 that compared this condition to eczema and prurigo of pregnancy, which occurred in 49.7% and 0.8% of cases respectively, with eczema clearly being more frequent. Unlike typical pruritic folliculitis which does not resolve on its own, pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy clears spontaneously on delivery or in postpartum period. Fortunately, pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy has no mortality effects or significant adverse effects on the mother or on the fetus.Currently, there are no treatment guidelines for this condition due to the nature of its unknown etiology but symptom relief is strongly emphasized using non-pharmacological interventions such as warm baths or wearing loose clothing. If itchiness and discomfort persists, benzoyl peroxide, low to mid potency topical steroids, or antihistamines can be tried. Novel treatments have also shown potential in treating case studies of pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy, such as using ultraviolet phototherapy. However, further investigation is still required to study its efficacy and safety in second to third trimester pregnant patients. History
This condition was first observed in six people in 1981 with many different speculations but no real evidence as to a specific cause. These people had papules starting at various times throughout the second to third trimester with varying severity. Biopsies were taken from these people over a 15 month period in order to examine the composition of these papules.
The diagnosis was confirmed after laboratory tests showed that there was mainly neutrophils and damaged follicle structures. The symptoms were treated with a 5% topical benzoyl peroxide gel but the pruritic folliculitis completely went away after the first week after delivering the baby.In an effort to establish a possible pathophysiologic mechanism behind pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy, a 2005 case study found pityrosporum yeast in the hair follicles of a pregnant 24 year-old patient. Pityrosporum yeast is typically grouped in hair follicles, leading to an inflammation of the pore causing folliculitis and symptoms of itching. However, it is important to note that this patients pruritic folliculitis lesions did not improve after delivery of the baby. This finding may lead investigators to believe that this patients lesions may not be contributed from the pregnancy, but instead it can be speculated that the reason behind the presence of this patients lesions postpartum is due to hot and humid weather, making her lesions more difficult to heal after giving birth. See also
Prurigo gestationis
List of cutaneous conditions
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) rash
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy


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