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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pregnancy Acne

34 replies

Carazan · 28/08/2008 15:05

I went to the doctors today because my skin is becoming unbearable, I've got huge horrible spots all over me back chest and shoulders, it creeping round my face and even onto my scalp and is getting worse everyday. My doctor said i have pregnancy acne and that it will disappear once my baby is born. Im not due until December and i recon i'll be a huge walkin' boil by then! I can't bear for my husband to touch me near the bad areas and i'm far too embarrassed to wear anything that exposes it. Its really got me down and I was hoping someone would be able to reccomend some lotion or something, the Doc says i'm allowed to use creams but no pills. PLEASE HELP boo hoo!

OP posts:

miomaolalalalala · 28/08/2008 16:49

wanted to reply...i think it is quite common..what happened to glowing??

when i'm pregnant i get quite spotty cheeks and 'teenage' skin, probably the high sugar high carb high dairy diet i'm eating to get through the day is not helping. no proper advice to give but what about using some dermalogica stuff or going to see skin care expert at a salon type thing?...someone with knowledge should be long soon!

Kew08 · 28/08/2008 17:28

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I thought the awful teenage years were behind me but alas... I had the same problem and I use dermalogica religiously (plus had facials as well). Three things did help though - I started swabbing the spots with diluted Dettol (worked really well for my shoulders and chest), used witch hazel for my face and drank litres of water. Good Luck

ajm200 · 28/08/2008 17:36

I was ok in my first pregnancy, no acne, but not blooming either. Hair like wire, bloated and with a slightly green palor due to constant nausea.

Had pregnancy acne this time round for the first trimester. Came up everywhere, even on my legs. I put a capful of dettol in the bath at night to dry it up and showered in the morning to get rid of the smell. I used witch hazel on my face.
Also stopped using proper soap and used baby soap instead as it seemed to help.

Last time, my diet was awful, this time it's been really healthy so can't put it down to diet.

MavisG · 29/08/2008 17:14

Carazan, you could ask your doc for some topical (cream/lotion) antibiotics. They're not pronounced 100% safe in pregnancy because they can be absorbed through the skin and nothing can be tested on pregnant women so they can't say for sure, but you can use them sparingly and in conjunction with over-the-counter creams, and they work better. I did this at the beginning of my pg because I was so desperate and stressed and unhappy with it that I felt this was bad for me & foetus and so on balance worth doing. I didn't have to use it for v long.

Alternatives are just the creams/clearasil-type stuff or something more 'natural' - Liz Earle does a nice spot thing. Whiffs a bit (essential oils) but could be good to use along with hydrogen peroxide/whatever creams as they can be quite drying.

mum2bean · 29/08/2008 17:21

try tea tree oil, i know it doesn't smell too nice, but it worked for me on teenage acne (unsure on PG acne though) dab it on the spots and then a warm towel (not too hot) then wash off with warm water, then rinse again with cold water and pat dry. hope it helps.

LoveAndSqualor · 29/08/2008 17:25

I had this too at the beginning; it's an absolute bloody nightmare, isn't it? Mine passed by about the fifth month, I think, so it's possible things may even out yet. The one thing I did that helped (my mental as well as physical state) was go and have a facial. I'd never done this before, but the woman was excellent (it was at Eve Lom, v swank - bday present from DP); she recommended some lovely organic topical cream which really did help, and also jsut talked to me really nicely and generally made me feel better. Not sure if that helps, or is a possibility for you, but if it is I'd recommend it.

LeonieD · 30/08/2008 09:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mamamufin · 30/08/2008 09:27

I know what you mean. I have developed lots of thread veins/broken veins on my chest this pregnancy. Only two weeks left, I am hoping they go.

laweaselmys · 30/08/2008 09:36

I don't sound as bad as you! But I have had it all over my face and chest, and the OIL FREE Clean & Clear deep cleansing facial washamy stuff is working really well, particularly on my face. I use it twice a day though because my skin seems to get greasy so quickly.

kitkat9 · 30/08/2008 16:36

it's awful, isn't it, I realy feel for you. My skin is pretty bad this pg too but not exactly acne, more red sore patches which are driving me mad.

Neutrogena is really good - esp try the bar 'soap', it only costs about 2 or 3 quid. Follow this with a medicated moisturiser like clean and clear, also witch hazel toner is very good. Be gentle with your skin, don't use anything too harsh or you could end up making it worse. Don't pick or squeeze!

Also neutrogena do a body wash which could help te rest of your body.

It's damage limitation really, isn't it? If you cant take any pills for it then try making your diet healthier, drink a ton of water, make sure you're taking your pre-natal vitamin and maybe look into what other supplementsyou could safely take to help. Omega 3 for instance might help.

rrrayray · 01/09/2008 13:43

glad to see its not just me. any of my friends who have had children seem completely bemused by the idea i have such spots.

Mine is awful, having literally never had a spot, and used to coping with slightly dry skin, so Plying on the moisuturiser all the time. Now i have spots ALL over my back, some on my chest, and ALL over my Chin especially. Its a doubled edged sword about the ones on my back/chest as i am covering myself in bio oil to minimise stretch marks... but trying to avoid back and only doing boobs not chest, but not sure what else to do.

Feel rather selfish for worrying about my appearance and almost feeling a bit resentful to bean for making my skin so bad. But OH is a great support.

Drinking LOTS of water and eating plenty of fruit seems to help a little. Innocent Smoothies (although expensive) are a great way to boost your fruit intake!!

If anyone has a magic remedy feel free to let me know!!!!!!!!!!

auntyspan · 01/09/2008 14:58

OK I have found a great solution for this - doesn't completely get rid of them but certainly tones down the redness and dries the spots up........SUDOCREAM.... a friend of mine told me - I scoffed - but man it works a TREAT.

Go raid your DC nappy basket

rrrayray · 01/09/2008 16:35

Oooooooooooooooooooohhhhh what an idea!

Amber1980 · 01/09/2008 16:49

I had this at the beginning of pregnancy and my doctor prescribed Zineryt - the same topical application I used when I was a spotty teenager! It's a bit smelly but it didn't take long for my skin to clear up.

Lilybunny · 02/09/2008 09:05

Hi Carazan. I just wanted to check that your midwife knows about your skin too, (being a midwife myself). Depending on the rash it's sometimes necessary to check some blood work to rule out a more serious pregnancy complication (especially if the rash is really itchy). From your description it sounds unlikely but it always good to let your midwife know and she'll do the bloods if you need them, if your GP hasn't already. Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy.

pgwithnumber3 · 02/09/2008 10:18

I too used Zineryt, it was great stuff, from the moment I put it one I never got another spot.

rrrayray · 02/09/2008 10:33

ohhhhhh Lilbunny, i hadnt thought to mention it to my midwife, but then i havent had a MW appointment since it flared up. I will do at my next appointment! Although....more blood I dont like that sound!!!

DinoNel · 02/09/2008 13:50

It's horrid isn't it? the last thing you need on top of bigness, sickness, etc...

Was really glowing w DS1 but a total boil-ridden hag with DS2 (thought it might be a girl what with "Girls steal your looks" nonsense, but no)

As a teenager, and now sometimes too, I used a US nappy rash cream at night so Sudocrem makes sense. The only downside is that the white tends to stick to the spots and removing it can re-irritate the skin (oh, and use really old nightwear/pillowcases). I now put Neutrogena oil (baby oil works just as well but is a bit greasier) on my face before showering in the morning and it dissolves the white residue + keeps skin moisturised.

It won't stop the spots but it does help manage them. DS2 is now 9 weeks and skin nearly back to normal, phew.

alittleteapot · 02/09/2008 19:11

Funny how different people are. Pregnancy only time in my adult life that I DIDN'T have spots.

rrrayray · 02/09/2008 19:24

sorry......... is that suposed to make those of us that do feel better??????

pgwithnumber3 · 02/09/2008 20:08

I don't think alittleteapot meant to rub it in rrrayray, she probably meant the roll eyes at the injustice of suffering spots the rest of the time.

PinkTulips · 02/09/2008 20:23

i never had acne when i was a teen but with ds and this baby i've had it quite badly on my face.

i don't know if it would be any good for the body acne but i use Witch clear pore gel on my face when it gets bad and it really works.

i've heard aloe vera is fantastic but as i murdered my aloe vera plant for ds's sunburn i haven't been able to try it yet.

alittleteapot · 03/09/2008 09:13

having spots is horrible at any time. i was just commenting that it's bizarre how different we all are in how our bodies react to pg.. i'm sorry you're going through this but glad it'll clear up when your pg is over. as for me, after the first year in 20 i've had good skin, the spots are creeping back....

PinkTulips · 03/09/2008 10:14

rrrayray... do you really think having acne for 9 months of your life is worse than having it your entire adult life except when pregnant?

get a grip love.

can't believe i didn't notice that insane comment yesterday when i posted

rrrayray · 03/09/2008 21:13

i didn't for one moment say it was worse, infact its not even on the same page. I just simply felt it was an unecessary/unconstructive comment for those of us who are feeling utterly miserable with it at the moment.

Didn't mean to offend, just didnt see how it helped.

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