Pregnancy Acne

[LAbaby]

Help! I've got spots all over my chin. They aren't big or painful, but are embarrassing. I'm 12 weeks and don't know what to do. I've never had this before so don't know how to get rid of them. It seems really unfair as I'm taking my vitamins religiously, have given up drinking, and am eating better than ever before!
Are all spot creams safe to use in pregnancy? And do any actually work? I've got quite delicate skin so don't want to use anything that will make it too dry.
Thanks

[MrsSnaplegs]

I had the same this pregnancy - I put it down to change in hormones as I was having a boy! Just used soap and water and a little tea tree cream - no fancy creams. Good luck!

[LDNlady]

I am not sure about the use of spot creams, sorry but I suffered terribly for the first 13/14 weeks with awful painful acne on my back. I have heard that lots of pregnant women do suffer in some way and that it's due to your oestrogen levels being high. Some women find it resolves gradually as I am finding but some don't. If it carries on I would speak to your pharmacist or doc about which creams to use if you want to.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

LABaby, just wanted to give my sympathy. I had this with both of mine and mine got much worse around the time of the births, hopefully yours will just be a first trimester thing though.

I went to the GP with a different problem and she took one look at me and said, so lets talk about your skin first you poor thing. She gave me a roll on treatment that you can only get from the GP. I used it whilst bfing but think its safe in pregnancy too, really sorry though as I can't remember its name.

Hope it clears up soon for you.

[bootus]

I've had acne the whole way through both pregnancies. Its utterly depressing and embarrassing but unfortunately you might just be one of those unlucky people who are going to suffer. Lots of people find it gets better after the first trimester but if it doesnt then there are things that can be prescribed,the poster above is talking about a medicine called Clindamycin (sp?) I think,(tbh didnt really help me though) I'm 28 wks with no 2 and have some days when it really flares up and others where i can disguise the worst with a good oil free foundation. Just console yourself that after bubba is born your skin will settle.....

[LAbaby]

Thanks for the advice. I will go to the doctors here and see if I can get the roll-on thing. I've been trying to ignore it, but no-one even knows I'm pregnant yet and I live in LA where it's overly image conscious so I really stick out!
And adding to my worries I'm very suspicious of the american medical industry as they are (it seems to me) always trying to sell something.
I have my fingers crossed I'm lucky and it clears up. Perhaps this is to make up for the fact I missed out on having morning sickness!

[LAbaby]

Just as a matter of interest, did you all have boys? We aren't finding out the sex but I thought what Mrssnaplegs said was interesting... maybe it's a boy!

[smoggii]

Sorry, I'm having a girl (according to the sonographer anyway) and i have suffered with spots all the way through
I suffered with acne through my teens and again in my 20s and pretty drastic medication from a very expensive dermatologist in my mid 20s finally cleared it up so i was devastated when it came back. I'm now 39 weeks and its still hanging about my neck, ears and chest but its much better than it was at the start so i'm hoping it will settle when DD arrives

[LAbaby]

Oh so it's no indication then. And I would love a girl too, so I don't mind, just wondered.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

LAbaby, did have a boy first and it was really bad. Had a girl second and although it was quite horrendous, it just wasn't as bad as when I was having DS. Although until you've had another baby you'll have now way of comparing IYGWIM

[MacMomo]

Had it quite bad at the start, cleared up in the middle, came back a little from week 35.

I used to use a Vit A spot cream, but you're not supposed to if PG. I also read a medical journal research paper indicating that tea tree (and lavender) oil can cause hormonal imbalances in feotus/baby/infant (has similar chemical properties to oestrogens and can mimick them), but not conclusive research so you may not find it credible. I opted for witchhazel in the end. Am having a girl!