The Use of Topical Acne Medication While Pregnant

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Acne breakouts are common in pregnant women. This is due to the changes in hormones that occur during pregnancy. While most oral acne medications are not recommended for pregnant women, some topical acne medications while pregnant are perfectly safe.

You want to do everything you can to protect your unborn child, so reading ingredient labels is vital. Make a list of ingredients that are safe during pregnancy, and a list of ingredients to be avoided, and take that list with you when you go shopping for topical acne medication while pregnant.

Ingredients that are safe while pregnant are benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin, clindamycin, and sodium sulfacetamide. These ingredients are safe in their topical forms, not in oral forms. Don't rely on the acne medication itself. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, keep your hair and hands off your face, and wash your face at least twice each day.

Ingredients that should be avoided are sodium sulfacetamide, tretinoin, and tetracycline. Other ingredients that have not had sufficient studies done to determine safety during pregnancy are hydrocortisone, adapalene, azelaic acid, and salicylic acid. Since there is no way of knowing if those drugs are safe, they should be avoided. You certainly don't want to find out that they weren't safe the hard way!

The use of these drugs, even in their topical forms, have resulted in birth defects in the infants born to the women who used the products. Some are safe to use during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, but not in the final trimester. But, even those drugs should be avoided. It is better not to take chances, and do everything that you can do to protect your child.

The good news about pregnancy acne is that it goes away, just like pregnancy does, and your skin and body will get back to normal - but you will have the added bonus of a healthy baby at the end of it. You should discuss the use of topical acne medication while pregnant with your doctor. Trust his or her opinions, and listen to the advice that they offer.