acne/pregnancy

[sksk]

Any suggestions- I'm getting more frequent breakouts-the painful ones- I realise the options are limited for topical treatments and face washes will only go so far. I am using the usual methods of trying not to over wash/scrub but clearly I am getting a lot of oil and keep getting spots! I used a Belli face wash in my last pregnancy but don't know if that helped or my skin was just getting better as the pregnancy progressed. Many thanks.

I had it dreadfully for my last pregnancy. It was awful and unfortunately there was nothing I could do to stop it. I ended I having to go on antibiotics once I had finished breastfeeding. Not sure if there's anything you can take now but I'd be going to a dr for suggestions at this stage. Mine were super painful and like nothing I'd ever experienced before even in my teens. I had a whole bunch of new ones at the end of each day.

Hi, I agree with pp, in my first pregnancy my skin was terrible and I ended up being prescribed a cream for spots at my 6 week post natal check. It wasn't safe for pregnancy or breastfeeding though so not sure if my doctor could have done anything while still pregnant anyway. I asked my midwife while pregnant first time and she just said ask the GP if I still had spots a few weeks after delivery. I didn't push any further as I know doctors are quite rightly reluctant to prescribe in pregnancy unless essential. I thought my skin must be really oily to have so many spots but actually when I eventually got rid of the spots I was told it was dry.

Second pregnancy I was prepared. As soon as my skin started getting bad I sought advice (from Lush of all places as they were the shop that calmed down my skin once I'd had my first baby). I got products to suit my skin. I still got spots and redness but my skin was so, so much better than first time around. Maybe it would have been better anyway but I felt much better knowing I was trying to keep it under control from the start.

Go and see your GP. I'm having fertility treatment, which initially gave me awful hormonal acne. I went in armed with evidence about all of the different drugs and how they affected fertility/pregnancy and she prescribed Finecea (azelaic acid) which is reasonably gentle, effective, safe in pregnancy, and also helps with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks. It won't stop spots from starting, but it does prevent them developing and they tend to vanish without leaving marks.

Thanks. I'm persevering with a lactic acid lotion from Eucerin. I occasionally apply some benzoyl peroxide to the spots. I'll see how this continues as I agree with previous posters that GPs would be reluctant to prescribe anything while pregnant.

Sksk can I ask which Eucerin lactic acid lotion? I've been eyeing those up, but there are about 5 different ones.

Hi Robberbride. Sorry for the delay. It is the Dermopurifyer serum concentrate. I think it is around 9 pounds in Boots but I got it in a 3 for 2. I'm also trialling a boots tea tree and witch hazel toning lotion but it's a bit alcohol heavy so might be drying in the long run.

I believe Duac cream (prescription only) is safe in pregnancy. Good luck - hope you get it sorted asap.