Acne and pregnancy are commonly connected. That is because acne is caused by bacteria which form when the skin pores are clogged by excessive oil and dead skin cells. Excessive oil is usually produced during periods of hormonal imbalance. There are two primary periods in life when hormones go crazy – puberty and pregnancy. That’s why acne tends to show up during both these periods. There are many different acceptable acne remedies that can be applied during the teenage years, but many of them are totally unacceptable when you become pregnant. We’re going to examine one medically acceptable treatment during acne pregnancy, and two treatments that should be avoided whenever acne and pregnancy mix. Here they are Important Tip: Erythromycin - Medical experts agree that as long as you are not allergic to Erythromycin, you can take this antibiotic orally to combat acne pregnancy. However, as is the case with all antibiotics, you must see your doctor for a prescription. Important Warning 1: Avoid Accutane - Most other oral anti-acne drugs should be avoided – especially those containing isotretinoin. This would include any retinoids as well as Accutane, Claravis, Amnesteem and Sotret. Compounds which contain isotretinoin can cause genetic damage and birth defects in the fetus. Important Warning 2: Avoid Certain Topical Treatments - Even topical treatments – those that are not swallowed but are instead applied directly to the affected acne redness and infection – may be absorbed into the bloodstream. Any compounds which contain salicylic acid such as Stridex or Propa pH should be avoided as they can harm the fetus even though they are not swallowed. It should be emphasized that if you are pregnant you should consult with your doctor before trying ANY acne medication, even if it’s an over-the-counter topical remedy. Don’t attempt to use an old prescription of Erythromycin until you have thoroughly discussed the matter with your gynecologist or dermatologist. Also, if your acne condition appears to be severe, or if it doesn’t go away after pregnancy, then there is much more you need to know. You are strongly advised to educate yourself further and consult your doctor. For more information, click on ACNE REDNESS CURE or go to: acnerednesscure.com.
Pregnancy is a major life event for most women. If this is your first pregnancy, it is bound to a very special experience. This time in your life will also be characterized by many changes in your skin and body. One of the recurring complaints most women have is acne in pregnancy.
If you have had acne as a teenager, you have high chances of breaking out into acne in pregnancy. You might have considered the hormonal changes of your teens as something which might not recur, but pregnancy also has similar hormonal fluctuations and this time around it is on a much bigger scale. For those of you who have had acne continuing into your adult years, pregnancy is likely to make the situation more severe.
Here are some pointers regarding acne in pregnancy and what you can do about it.
When does it start?
For most women, acne in pregnancy is most severe in the first trimester. This is because the hormonal changes in the first three months of pregnancy have the most fluctuations. The hormonal changes taking place in your body affect your sebaceous glands which secrete sebum, a substance which keeps your skin smooth. Under the influence of hormones, the glands become hyperactive and this causes your skin to break out into acne.
Where does it occur?
Acne in pregnancy is not limited only to your face. If you have never had acne before, acne in pregnancy will generally appear on your cheeks and to a lesser extent on your forehead. For those of you who have had acne before, you are more likely to see it on your face, neck and back as well. In severe cases you might get pimples on your shoulders and chest as well. If you have always had a severe problem with acne you might have to watch out for complications which could infect the pimples and scar your skin as they heal.
What can you do about it?
You don’t have to lose heart if your skin breaks out into acne in pregnancy. The only thing you must keep in mind is that you are pregnant and so you must be careful about any sort of medication you take.
You can follow a few simple tips to reduce the severity of your acne. You must never rub, squeeze or break your pimples manually. This will only cause infection and it might scar your skin. Avoid touching your pimples, you hands can also transfer infection making the acne worse.
You must try and wash your face at least twice a day with a gentle cleanser or face wash. You can use natural skin products which are safe and mild. This will gently cleanse your face of the excess oil, dirt and make-up. It will go a long way in ensuring that new pimples do not erupt. A word of caution though. Do not over do the cleaning part as it may harm your skin, repeated washing, and using harsh cleansers or soaps can stimulate your sebaceous glands causing them to hyper secrete.
If your acne is really severe you should consult a doctor. Never take any medication on your own without consulting the doctor first. You must avoid oral antibiotics and and retinal preparations as these have been proven to cause damage to the baby when taken by pregnant mothers. Your doctor or nurse will be able to prescribe medication that will help clear out your acne without any adverse effects on your growing baby.
It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience acne during pregnancy or later. However with the fears of using drugs (topical or otherwise), the worries of stress, hormonal changes and the life within, it could be a challenge to control pregnancy acne.
Now, even though the skin returns to its normal condition within a month or two after the baby is born, there are some suggestions to control pregnancy acne and still protect your baby and you as well.
1. Follow a healthy regimen of cleanliness to control bacteria.
2. Exercise daily to stimulate circulation to all parts of the body including the skin
3. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that have been thoroughly washed.
4. Avoid Junk foods (for the your health and that of the baby’s)
5. Use simple acne control methods such as changing the pillowcases daily, rinsing the face with cold water, facial massaging and steaming etc.
6. AVOID MICROWAVES…This tip at all costs!!!
In addition to the steps above, it must be noted that there are some oral medicines that can be dangerous if taken during pregnancy.
Medications containing retinoic acid, which is used to treat severe acne, are dangerous for the unborn child.
What will be advised will be a healthy and nutrient rich diet of your fruits and veggies, mild stress-reliving exercises such as pregnancy yoga, and of course simple low-cost tips and hygienic procedures to control pregnancy acne breakouts.
Keep in mind, the body is changing as you’re bringing new life to the world so that may be the cause of the acne during pregnancy, therefore, it will be safe to say take heart, after the baby is born, the situation may very well pass.
Here’s to clearer skin naturally,
You were looking forward to that pregnancy glow and instead you’ve got…pregnancy acne? If you’re experiencing a sudden outbreak or acne or a worsening of your already existing adult acne, then you are not alone. While many women experience clearer skin then they’ve ever had during pregnancy, other women experience quite the opposite. Some women get mild outbreaks of acne once or twice during their pregnancy and other women experience severe acne eruptions throughout the entire nine months.
What causes pregnancy acne and how can you deal with it?
First, hormones rage in the pregnant woman, making her susceptible to a wide range of hormone-related conditions, acne included. Androgens (a type of hormone) increase and along with them come increased levels of sebum, blocked pores, a backup of bacteria, and, the end result, acne.
If you’re acne-prone, you’re acne-prone, There’s not much you can do to prevent it, but there’s lots you can do to cut back on the severity and to reduce inflammation, redness, and occurrence. First, keep your skin clean. Use a mild soap or a soapless cleanser twice a day and don’t use anything (like a rough washcloth) against your skin. Use an oil-free moisturizer and try your hardest not to pop or even touch affected areas.
Prescription acne medications can be a problem during pregnancy, especially Accutane and Retin-A, tetracycline, doxycycline,, and minocycline. Some topical creams and antibiotics may be okay, like erythromycin, but check with your doctor to be sure.
That pregnancy glow doesn’t need to be a thing only in fairy tales. If you take good care of your skin, you can keep blemishes and acne to a minimum. And with that beautiful bulging belly and your proud grin on your face, no one will notice a pimple or two anyways!
The period during pregnancy is considered to be the most pleasant moment in any woman’s life, as it brings a new life into this world. It can be different for different women. Some may face a lot of side effects during pregnancy, while others do not face any. A major problem faced by women during pregnancy is acne. It is likely to develop in the first trimester of the pregnancy due to hormonal changes that take place in the body. The difficult part is that, acne treatment can be frustrating, as it should be kept in mind to ensure that any medication taken to control acne does not harm to the fetus. Most of the acne treatments are not safe to be used during pregnancy. The over-the-counter drugs for treating acne can even cause birth defects in the baby.
Treatments to be avoided during pregnancy:
Acne treatment which contains Accutane : Studies have revealed that when this ingredient is used, it might be very dangerous to the baby causing birth defects, or in some cases, it might lead to miscarriage. This ingredient is not to be used even during breast feeding period.
Tetracycline usage too is not recommended: Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic used in the treatment of adults and teenagers, but not recommended during pregnancy as it may lead to poor bone development in the baby. It is also said to cause discolored teeth in them.
Medications containing female hormones: Researchers are still inconclusive on this subject, which are related with the development of the fetus and the female hormones, certain hormones can be passed on to the baby either during breast feeding or during pregnancy. But then, it is thought to cause birth defects in the baby.
Even though acne during pregnancy is not uncommon, it could cause fears of using topical drugs or any kind of treatment during such period for acne, hence could cause stress. With the hormonal changes happening and the growth of new life within during pregnancy period, it could pose a challenge to control acne too during such period.
By following a simple and easy- to-follow methods, women can avoid and control acne during pregnancy without any side effect:
Drink plenty of water, for a clear skin. Mild exercises during pregnancy can stimulate the blood circulation to all the parts of the body preventing from the outbreak of acne. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed after a thorough wash. Pregnant women should avoid junk foods and foods prepared in the microwave oven. Cleanliness is the secret in the prevention of acne, hence pillows covers can be changed often, Hair brushes and combs should be free from dirt, face could be washed with mild soap and cold water, if possible massaging and steaming can be done to get a clearer skin.
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