Skin erupted after miscarriage :-(

[SpanielFace]

I've recently suffered a late (21 week) miscarriage, and been feeling utterly miserable. My skin, which has always been pretty clear (although prone to the odd spot around my period), and was positively glowing during my pregnancy with DS, started to become pink and more pimply last year, after being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. It has been gradually getting worse over the course of my pregnancy, and now has erupted into this. :( Does it look like rosacea, or just plain old acne?

I know it's the most minor of issues after losing my baby, but it's really getting me down, it's just another shit thing in a series of shit things at the moment. I'm assuming it's at least partially hormonal, and might settle once my hormones are back to their pre-pregnant state, but what can I do to help it clear up?

I'm so sorry about your miscarriage - what an awful time you must have had recently. I understand that feeling that a seemingly minor thing like skin shouldn't be a big deal, but sometimes it feels like the universe is kicking you while you're down! I'm sure you're right and that it will clear up in time.

I'm no expert but have had break outs from fertility drugs, so presumably hormone-related. I've found that rosehip oil (from the Botanics range in Boots) has helped with the pimples and with the scars from where I'd picked previous ones. I'm sure other lovely mumsnetters might have other advice too.

Hope this helps, and have some in the meantime.

Thank you. It's really, really minor, in the grand scheme of things, but it's just another shit thing to deal with. How do you use the rose hip oil, if you don't mind me asking? Instead of moisturiser? x

I'm so sorry for your loss. What an awful time for you.

I suffer with adult acne (and an underactive thyroid too) and at the grand age of 34 I went to the gp about it this week and he prescribed zineryt which is really helping. It's well worth talking to your gp about it and seeing if there is anything they can prescribe.

Wishing you well xx

I am so so sorry for your loss. This exact thing happened to me after an earlier (11wk) miscarriage and erpc. It must be hormones going wild. You're right, it's not the most important of the issues you are dealing with does not help with your emotional recovery and self esteem. I was given erythromycin tablets first which cured it but as soon as I stopped them, the spots came back and I got awful thrush. I'm now on zyneryt which is the topical version and it seems to be working much better (even though it's the same base drug)! Good luck with everything.

Sorry, just seen this. I use the oil for cleansing in the evening - put it on damp skin, rub gently and then rinse off (sometimes with a flannel, sometimes just my hands if skin is feeling too sensitive). Then usually put a very thin layer on before going to sleep. I then moisturise in the morning (still working on finding the right one).

Sorry for your loss

I have bad skin which only kicked off in my mid 30's, before that I very, very rarely got spots

I started hot oil cleansing in April and apart from the occasional spot my face is as clear as it has ever been. It's fantastic and as cheap as chips (was spending a fortune £34 on a cleanser...forget the price of the moisturiser !!!)

I also have an underactive thyroid, the doctor did prescribe oral antibiotics which were very effective but I could only use it once the spots were there

Really sorry for your loss. Have you seen your GP about your skin? They might be able to help.

(I once had a fair lot of piriton for a hormone skin reaction that looked similar, had it all over body, GP said would need to see dermatologist if didn't clear quickly.)

Thanks for the replies. I'm seeing the GP on Thursday, not for anything miscarriage-related, just some other issues - I'll speak to him then, ridiculously, I didn't think of speaking to anyone medical about my skin - I always think of it as cosmetic, and just a case of finding the right product, but maybe antibiotics is what I need. Thanks also for understanding - like I said, I feel silly moaning about spots when I've just lost my baby, it's clearly very monks compared to everything else, but sometimes the little things are the thing you can focus on, aren't they?

Yes I think you are right spaniel

Hope it goes well at the doctor, my tablets are tetracycline (not sure if that's a type of tablet or a specific brand) until the hot oil I would have sworn by them

It looks like rosacea to me. I have it mildly, and mine started as my thyroid started to pack up, so maybe there is a connection? I also think skin does tend to reflect stresses and trauma. I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic soon after my father died, and have had chronic hives ever since, it is about 20 months now. Your flare up is probably partly hormonal and partly grief and stress.
I am so sorry that you have had such a tragic loss.

I don't have any suggestions, but I wanted to say I'm really sorry about your loss, and now you have this to contend with on top of it.

So sorry for your loss. Just lost my mum so know a bit how you feel. I guess you just need time to heal inside and out?

Hope the doctor can sort it for you. In the meantime use the gentlest stuff you can.