The reality star has always been open about her psoriasis, but her skin has been looking worse as her pregnancy moves on. Dermatologists reveal to HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY why her skin condition is flaring up.

Kim Kardashian was spotted with more splotches on her legs when she stepped out in a white skirt on March 12 in Los Angeles. With her skin breaking out more than normal halfway through her pregnancy, Dr. Bruce Katz, director of Juva Skin and Laser Center, reveals the cause of her troublesome condition! 

Kim Kardashian: Pregnancy Can Worsen Her Psoriasis

Kim K has been candid about her skin condition, and has even detailed the flare-ups on her show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. But now that she’s halfway through her pregnancy with boyfriend Kanye West‘s baby, it could be making the problem worse.

“Psoriasis can be activated on any major change on the system, from stress and scratching,” Dr. Katz tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. He added that pregnancy, with its changes in hormones and blood circulation, can cause a flare up.

Kim Kardashian Likely Cut Off From Treatment

Even if Kim’s chronic immune disease are bothering her, it’s likely she can’t get treatment while she’s pregnant, Dr. Howard Sobel, Manhattan Dermatologist, Dermatologic Surgeon, tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY. 

Since Kim is pregnant, she has most likely been told to not use the common psoriasis treatment cortisone, which is applied to the skin.

“She may have been instructed to not use it regularly, or not use it at all since she is pregnant,” said Dr. Sobel says. He adds that the cortico steroid would get into the blood stream and affect the baby. Pregnant women should lower medication or if they could, avoid it.

“Most likely, her OBGYN would have her lay off the chemicals as much as possible,” he says.

Stress Is Also A Huge Factor In Psoriasis Flare-Ups

Not only is Kim pregnant — she has been dealing with a lot of external stress, and was even rushed to her doctor’s office following a frightening plane ride from Paris to Los Angeles.

“The stress in general could have flared up psoriasis, and obviously the stress from a pregnancy can cause emotional stress,” Dr. Sobel says.

It’s also very possible that struggling with a new body, dealing with a very drawn out divorce, and juggling her many businesses could cause a flare up!

Treatments Kim Kardashian Can Use While Pregnant

Dr. Katz assures that even though pregnant women have to avoid chemicals, there are plenty of other treatments they can use.

“That is a problem because you are very limited on what you can use when one is pregnant,” he says. But he suggests a specialized light treatment for Kim, which would involve her getting into a light box would be safe. It’s not like tanning, because it’s a special wavelength of light. It will work on psoriasis but doesn’t hurt the skin.

You may remember that Kim tried rubbing Kourtney’s breast milk on her skin to relieve her psoriasis, but Dr. Sobel doesn’t believe that’s a smart idea.

“I don’t know anything saying that would make that better,” he said.

Hopefully Kim’s skin clears up soon! What do YOU think of Kim’s psoriasis flare-up HollyMoms? Do you think she’s too stressed in her pregnancy?

WATCH: Kim Kardashian Pregnancy Scare

– Nicole Weaver

More Kim Kardashian News:

1. Kim Kardashian Shops For Baby Registry At High-End Boutique
2. Kim Kardashian: Why She’s Not Wearing Traditional Maternity Clothes
3. Kim Kardashian Accuses Kris Humphries Of Dirty Tactics In Divorce War