What condition refers to the gray-brown patches that can appear on a mother's cheeks during pregnancy?

The condition that refers to gray-brown patches that can appear on a mother's cheeks during pregnancy is known as melasma. This skin condition is often triggered by hormonal changes, particularly the increase in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, which can lead to an increase in melanin production in the skin. Melasma is commonly characterized by symmetrical, brownish patches that typically occur on the face, especially on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip.

While chloasma is often used interchangeably with melasma, especially in the context of pregnancy, melasma is the broader term that encompasses various causes, including hormonal fluctuations due to pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and certain medications. Therefore, recognizing melasma as the correct term provides a more accurate description of the condition rather than just associating it solely with pregnancy.

The other options refer to different conditions. Puppies rash, which is not a commonly recognized medical term, likely does not relate to skin pigmentation at all. Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin characterized by redness, swelling, and itching but does not specifically describe the pigmentation changes associated with pregnancy. Thus, identifying melasma as the condition of interest aids in understanding the effects of pregnancy hormones on skin pigmentation.