Will Pregnant Women Suffer From Acne?

If you ever observe, not all pregnant women look the same. Some have glowing, smooth skin while others might be troubled from acne that appears after getting pregnant. Acne breakouts happen because hormone levels fluctuate and are high during pregnancy. If you are already suffering from acne before being pregnant, it is likely that this will get worse during pregnancy, especially during your first trimester.

The most important consideration in the treatment of acne during your pregnancy is of course, the safety of your unborn baby. Well, before you even plan for a baby, it is advisable to check with your doctor whether the medication you are taking currently is harmful and will cause any birth defects if you do get pregnant in the course of therapy.

Several acne prescriptions, such as Accutane, Retin-A and Tetracycline are known to cause great harm to unborn fetuses and are strictly forbidden for use during pregnancy! Topical treatment is generally preferred over oral medication during pregnancy. This is because topical creams and gels are less systemically available, meaning that the fetus is exposed to less of the medication as compared to medications taken orally. For topical medications, benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin are safe for use, but retinoids should be avoided.

For oral treatment, erythromycin is acceptable for use in pregnancy. Other antibiotics, such as the various tetracyclines and cotrimoxazole should be avoided.

Fortunately, as your pregnancy progresses, your acne typically improves, possibly due to higher levels of estrogen. For some women, their acne problem resolves after they have given birth. There is no way to predict and prevent acne from happening in your pregnancy.

There are still a wide variety of medications available in general during pregnancy, which pose a minimal risk. It may be possible to find a combination of medications that is both effective and does not put the unborn baby at risk for any malformations. Take extra precautions during pregnancy, and always seek a doctor's advice about what is best for you as soon as you find yourself pregnant.

By: Angela Tay

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