A board-certified dermatologist explains what the rash looks like and when to seek medical care. After that, rinse your face with cold water. It should be prescribed in pregnancy only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Trimethoprim acts as a folate antagonist and is classified as a pregnancy category C drug. Always Consult Your Doctor: If you are pregnant and have acne, consult your doctor before beginning any treatment. This sheet is about exposure to topical acne treatment in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Widespread application of high-concentration salicylic acid on hyperkeratotic skin has resulted in cases of salicylate toxicity, but there are no known cases associated with acne products. Following topical application, approximately 4% of the drug is absorbed systemically.5, Benzoyl peroxide is classified as pregnancy category C. Approximately 5% is absorbed systemically, and it is completely metabolized into benzoic acid, a food additive.6 Because of rapid renal clearance, no systemic toxicity is expected, and the risk of congenital malformations is theoretically small.5 Benzoyl peroxide is available as both prescription and nonprescription products in a variety of concentrations and vehicles. & Lu, J. You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist thats right for you. Severe acne that is resistant to antibiotic therapy may benefit from the use of oral corticosteroids. No date restrictions were applied. According to a 2013 article in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, "Women should be aware that they should not become pregnant 1 month before, during, or for 1 month after taking isotretinoin. As such, lasers are considered relatively safe for women who are pregnant. The risk-to-benefit ratio, efficacy, acceptability, and costs are considerations when choosing a treatment for acne in pregnancy. For this reason, experts recommend that doctors be very cautious when they prescribe dapsone to women who are pregnant. Therefore, oral corticosteroids should be used only for exceptionally severe acne, after the first trimester, for less than one month, and under close medical supervision.2,3, Anti-androgens, such as spironolactone [Category C], are medications that suppress androgens (male hormones that are present in both males and females). Baraka MA, AlLehaibi LH, AlSuwaidan HN, Alsulaiman D, Islam MA, Alotaibi BS, Alboghdadly A, Homoud AH, Al-Ghamdi FH, Al Ghamdi MS, Babar ZU. Scientists do not include pregnant women in clinical trials of acne medications because of the risk to the fetus. Treatment of acne in pregnancy.J Am Board Fam Med. These include antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin, metronidazole and dapsone), benzoyl peroxide . Find out in our comprehensive guide! J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. To maintain clear . While effective as an anti-acne agent, there is some concern about the development of resistance against Staphylococcus.25. However, risk is low during pregnancy as long as it is not used on large areas of the skin for long periods of time. We hope providers may find this review helpful in navigating the challenges of managing acne in pregnant patients. These medications can cause serious birth defects. Prescription salicylic acid products, especially oral medications, aren't safe. Skin oil glands produce more skin oil during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester. Awan, S. Z. You can find it by prescription or OTC. BELLA B Foaming Face Wash 3. Pregnancy category B means that no studies in animals or humans have shown a risk to a developing fetus. Apply a bit of gentle cleanser to the brush and use it to clean the skin on your face once daily. If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. The absence of safety data can make it difficult to advise on treatment of acne in pregnancy. Additional options discussed in this review should be considered based on patient response and preference. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels can bring a variety of skin changes, which makes acne during pregnancy a common complaint. 2021 Jan 14;14(1):9. doi: 10.1186/s40545-020-00292-6. Excessive washing and scrubbing also can irritate skin. Avarelle Acne-Absorbing Cover Patch 5. Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment 6. It has antimicrobial, comedolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. However, use of these drugs is discouraged by pregnant women or women trying to . This contagious skin disease will usually clear on its own, but sometimes dermatologists recommend treating it. Isotretinoin is often prescribed to nonpregnant patients with recalcitrant, nodulocystic acne vulgaris. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal If you want to treat acne during your pregnancy, it helps to get expert advice from your obstetrician or a dermatologist before using any acne treatment. Setup your free initial photo consult by completing the form below. A combination of topical erythromycin or clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide is recommended for inflammatory acne. Analyzing trends in treatment of acne vulgaris and adherence to the American Academy of Dermatology guidelines: A retrospective study. Moderate to severe inflammatory acne can be managed with oral erythromycin or cephalexin, which are safe when used for only a few weeks. Short-term use of topical erythromycin and clindamycin is safe during pregnancy. In addition, using corticosteroids repeatedly or long-term during pregnancy can cause growth failure of the fetus that results in the baby's being born at a low weight. Over-the-counter (OTC) salicylic acid products may not be safe for use during pregnancy. J Pharm Policy Pract. Most experts agree that topical treatments that can be used safely in pregnancy include: Benzoyl peroxide Azelaic acid Fruit acids such as glycolic acid Low-concentration salicylic acid preparations Acne breakouts in females are a common side effect that will often occur during pregnancy. Acne can be treated by a dermatologist in non-pregnant women through prescription drugs such as Accutane, Retin-A, and Tetracycline. Acne-Fighting Ingredients NOT Safe During Pregnancy. The following topical medications may not be safe and are not advised during pregnancy: Topical Retinoids: Topical retinoids, such as adapalene [Category C], tretinoin [Category C], and tazarotene [Category X], are common acne medications, but they should be avoided during pregnancy. Combining topical antibiotic therapy with topical benzoyl peroxide decreases the development of bacterial resistance and improves treatment efficacy.10,11. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Some researchers recommend aiming for symptom improvement rather than complete clearing of the skin during pregnancy.4, Despite the lack of research data, the FDA has established five risk categories for medications during pregnancy (see below). Researchers dont give pregnant women medications, so there are no studies to tell us what happens when pregnant women use a treatment. As you can see, we dont have a lot of information about what can safely treat acne during pregnancy. 2022 Sep 8;9:100-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2022.08.016. Oral zinc can be taken alone or in combination with other treatments, but the maximum amount of zinc that should be taken during pregnancy is 11 mg/day. 20 It may be considered the antibiotic of choice for treatment of severe inflammatory acne in pregnant women. Oral retinoids are teratogenic and absolutely contraindicated for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy. Use of systemic antibiotics should be restricted to the second and third trimesters, after the completion of organogenesis, with duration of therapy limited to 4 to 6 weeks. The only two topical antibiotics safe for acne treatment during pregnancy are Clindamycin and Erythromycin. . However, it is a newer medication, and there is a lack of research concerning its safety during pregnancy. A combination of topical erythromycin or clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide is recommended for inflammatory acne. Dermatologists care for people of all ages. Dapsone (brand name, Aczone): In animal studies, this medication hasnt caused birth defects. Acne vulgaris is a common disease of the pilosebaceous unit and affects adolescents and adults. In this review we outlined numerous options for providers who treat pregnant patients with acne. Heres how long botox tends to last. To treat pregnancy acne, start with self-care: Wash problem areas with a gentle cleanser. They tend to irritate skin, which can worsen acne. However, it is important to discuss these options with a doctor and to weigh the benefits of treating acne against the risks to the fetus. On the other hand, some acne medications are likely safe. Quantifiable systemic absorption of topical anti-acne agents must be considered in pregnancy. In general, topical and oral antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy, but combined with topical benzoyl peroxide to decrease bacterial resistance. A course of oral prednisolone no longer than a month may be useful for treating fulminant nodular cystic acne after the first trimester. NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. Understanding how to treat acne during pregnancy is difficult because, for ethical reasons, medications are not studied on pregnant women. If youre pregnant, immediately stop taking these medications and do not use them during your pregnancy. 2015;14 . Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid [Category C] slows down shedding of the cells inside the follicles, which helps prevent clogging. The risk-to-benefit ratio, efficacy, acceptability, and costs are considerations when choosing a treatment for acne in pregnancy. Its more difficult to say what can safely treat acne while youre pregnant. Even for severe acne, topical medications can be effective. Another noninvasive treatment that is safe for treating acne during pregnancy is Laser Genesis. Treating Acne in Transgender Persons Receiving Testosterone: A Practical Guide. Historically, oral treatment during pregnancy generally was reserved for women who had moderate-to-severe acne that had failed to respond to topical treatment.3 However, many of these recommendations are from the 1970s. However, you may also consider getting highlights or using pure vegetable dyes. Disclaimer, National Library of Medicine Conclusions: This review highlights the challenging aspects of treating pregnant patients with rosacea, as there is limited pregnancy-related treatment efficacy and safety data. Would you like email updates of new search results? 2022 Schweiger Dermatology Group | All rights reserved. Pregnant patients and their providers may also choose procedure-based options as alternatives or adjuncts to the topical and oral agents discussed above with regard to management of acne. Laser and light therapies: Lasers have been used to safely treat medical conditions in women who are pregnant. There are many safe treatment options for acne during pregnancy, thus pregnant women with acne should not lose hope. Pregnancy Acne Treatments Prednisone belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. The drug has been associated with cleft palate, decreased brain growth, reduced myelination, and smaller head circumference among animals.27,28 Human studies showed an increased risk of oral cleft and a slight increase in miscarriage rates and preterm births.27,29 Few data are available on the transfer of intralesional or topical steroids across the placenta, although it has been shown that topical steroids can be absorbed systemically.28 Prednisone may be used for severe or fulminant acne cases after the first trimester. The main cause of these acne flare-ups is the undulating hormone levels within the body. Safe treatments for acne pregnancy For women who do struggle with acne during their pregnancy, Rai says: "The mainstay is topical treatments. I'm proud to provide the truth about acne, based on fully-referenced science, and I'm also proud to recommend a, IMPORTANT: It is imperative to stop isotretinoin (Accutane. 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