Chloasma is a skin condition that affects pregnant women and leads to occurrence of dark patches on the skin. It is normally visible on the forehead, cheeks and nose and is common among women with darker skin tones. Since the dark patches appear like a mask on the face, the condition is called mask of pregnancy. As your pregnancy advances, you may notice that the color becomes darker. But once the hormone levels come back to normal after delivery, the dark patches fade away.

The main cause of Chloasma is the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. When the estrogen levels in the body increase, it stimulates the production of excess melanin. Melanin is what causes the pigmentation of the skin. The increased melanin levels make the skin darker than its original color and results in the patches on the skin. When the skin gets exposed to sunlight under these conditions, the dark patches are more pronounced.

In Chinese medicine, the two main sources behind skin problems are believed to be 'heat' and 'dampness.' The term 'heat' refers to distress in the body which can be caused by overwork, emotional stress (such as jealousy or anger), and/or over-activated hormones. The insufficient flushing of waste and toxins from the body, as well as water retention, and a humid or moist environment can cause 'dampness' in a person. 5 Attention to these alternative factors in a person's health and lifestyle is an important element in traditional Chinese medicine. By expanding the diagnosis beyond the obvious symptoms, TCM can provide patients with long-lasting and successful treatments for almost every skin condition, and alleviate related ailments as well. Continue to read Chinese medicine Treatment for Erythema Multiforme.