Pregnancy and Acne
By: Alwyn Tan | Posted: 29th May 2009
Pregnancy and acne. Acne during pregnancy involves using a slightly different perspective of treatment compared to traditional acne.
First things first, hormonal changes in the body results in overactive oil glands, that is how teens get their dreaded acne. It is the same for pregnant women because their hormonal system is unstable too. Although there are no health problems affecting pregnant women with acne, they might get an inferior complex of themselves or even worse, depression.
That solves the reason why pregnant women get acne. Now, how do they treat their acne. It works slightly differently from traditional acne. Pregnant women have to very cautious of certain acne products and medications as they can harm the unborn baby such as causing defects etc. What are the various strictly prohibited stuff that pregnant women can't take?
1. Vitamin A Derivatives - All vitamin A derivatives should not be orally taken or topically applied at all, this is one of the worst, if not the worst baby harming ingredient. Examples are retinoids such as isotretinoin which is the prime ingredient of Accutane and many other products. Do not think that topical medications would not affect the baby, they get absorbed into the skin and go into the bloodstream just as well.
2. Tetracycline family of antibiotics - Pregnant women cannot take any antibiotics from the tetracycline family eg tetracyline, doxycycline, minocycline.
3. Hormone Altering Preparations - Hormone altering preparations that help in boosting hormone levels such as Estrogen and anti-Androgen hormones can affect the unborn baby and even get passed on to it!
The good thing is, not everything are unusable by pregnant women. Here is a list which could be safely used:
1. Erythromycin - This antibiotic is safe
2. Benzoyl Peroxide
3. Benzamycin Gel - The gel contains above Erythromycin and Benzoyl Peroxide
4. Azelaic Acid - Azelaic acid has a chance of being passed into the milk of the breat feeding mother so it should be used only if the acne condition is severe.
5. Sulfacetamide/sulfur combinations - Same as Azelaic acid, has chance of being passed into milk, used only if really needed.
6. Colloidal Silver - A very safe natural supplement. Work by disrupting enzymes responsible for bacteria growth and having no side effects.
What is most important is to discuss with your doctor / gynae on the acne treatments that you are planning to use when you are planning to be pregnant, already pregnant, or nursing your baby!About the Author
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Tags: benzoyl peroxide, different perspective, hormonal changes, hormone levels, topical medications, oil glands, accutane, unborn baby, hormonal system, isotretinoin, erythromycin, acne products, prime ingredient, doxycycline, minocycline, androgen hormones