Acne not only affects teenagers, but it affects adults too. Some people who never had acne in their teenage years sometimes find that they suffer from outbreaks when they get into their 30s and 40s. Most of the time adult acne is triggered by stress and hormonal changes. Pregnant women experience a lot of these hormonal changes and these changes can present itself on the skin.

Some pregnant women get beautiful glowing skin when they’re. Those who have had acne in the past find that the pregnancy has helped clear out their outbreaks. On the other hand, some women experience a worsening of their acne during pregnancy. Others who have never had acne before get outbreaks for the first time. Although acne is not a serious medical condition, it can wreak havoc on the expectant mother’s self-esteem. That is often the reason why acne in pregnancy should be treated.

When Does Acne Occur?

The first Acne outbreaks in pregnancy usually occur during the first trimester (first three months). During this time, the expectant mother’s body is riddle with constantly changing hormonal levels. For some women, these hormonal changes are triggers for Acne outbreaks. Acne that breaks out in the first trimester may persist till the end of the pregnancy. In some instances, the outbreaks tend to die down during the second and third trimester or pregnancy. However, acne can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Acne outbreaks during pregnancy usually clear up a few months after delivery. Nevertheless, some women find that their acne persists long after they have given birth. Most pregnant women find that acne clears up as soon as they have the baby. Some women experience an outbreak relapse right after delivery. A sudden drop in the mother’s hormonal levels causes this.

Treating Acne During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are cautioned against self-treatment during pregnancy. They are advised to avoid over the counter drugs. Some of these acne treatments may not be safe for the developing fetus. It is much wiser to consult a dermatologist about acne treatment when pregnant.

Dermatologists would most likely treat mild acne outbreaks with herbal remedies and home cures. They usually stay away from harmful chemicals that can cause the placental barrier causing harm on the baby. Here are some home remedies that you can do to relive the symptoms of acne during pregnancy.

·         Egg Mask - Applying an egg mask before bed can be helpful in removing the most irritating symptoms of acne. To do this, you can break an egg into a bowl and apply it on your face. Wait for it to dry and then wash it off with water and a gentle soap. When drying your face with a towel, it is best to pat dry rather than rub. For oily skin – use only the white of the egg. Use only the yellow for dry irritated skin and use the whole egg for combination skin.

·         Tomatoes and Cucumber - These home remedies are easily found in your fridge’s vegetable drawer. Crush one small tomato as well as an inch thick slice of cucumber. Apply the pulp and juice on to your face and wait for it to dry – then wash it off. This helps soothe irritated and inflamed skin, it also aids in the healing of scars.

·         Dry Yeast – Yeast is helpful in controlling and drying up acne. You need is some dry yeast and lukewarm water. Take a tablespoonful of yeast and add some water until you form a thick paste. Apply this onto your skin, let it dry and wash it off. Yeast may be effective, but the smell of it can be very disturbing for some women – especially those experiencing morning sickness.

Caution should be practiced when treating acne with herbal remedies. Despite the fact that these drugs claim to be natural, they can still be very powerful and have the same effects as conventional drugs. Some dermatologists advocate the use of Benzoyl Peroxide products to treat acne during pregnancy.

However, expecting moms should keep in mind that the effects on Benzoyl Peroxide on the unborn fetus are unknown. This means that it may or may not cause your baby harm. To be on the safe side, it is better to leave out Benzoyl Peroxide on the first phases of treatment. It should only be used as a last resort.

Acne Medication During Pregnancy

Here are some drugs that are safe for use during pregnancy. Nevertheless, despite being labeled safe, pregnant women still need the advise of their physicians before taking anything.

Safe Drugs include

·         Erythromycin

·         Clindamycin

·         Azelaic Acid.

Unsafe drugs include

·         Tretinoin

·          Adapalene

·         Isotretinoin

·         Tetracycline

·         Doxycycline

·         Sodium Sulfacetamide