What acne medication can i use while pregnant

Sodium sulfacetamide inhibits bacterial dihydropteroate synthetase and subsequently decreases folic acid formation.

Despite this, no reports of congenital anomalies have been linked to sulfacetamide and the combination treatment of sulfacetamide and sulfur is not contraindicated during pregnancy Leachman and Reed, Historically, sulfacetamide was classified as a Category C drug Wolverton, Salicylic acid is a strong keratolytic agent with mild comedolytic effects. Although salicylic acid has rarely shown systemic toxicity when applied to broad swaths of erythrodermic or injured skin, it is deemed safe when used within a limited scope for short periods of time Murase et al.

Topical dapsone is relatively new and does not possess decades of safety data in support compared with other topical agents. No clear link to congenital malformations exists but its use is recommended only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks Chien et al.

In general, mild-to-moderate acne is best treated with topical agents during pregnancy. Of the oral antibiotic medications, the beta-lactams are generally considered to be first-line agents. Penicillins and cephalosporins are compatible with pregnancy and show efficacy in the treatment of acne Czeizel et al. Amoxicillin is an aminopenicillin and has shown good efficacy in the treatment of patients with acne Turowski and James, Although certain reports do indicate an increased risk for cleft lip and palate after third-trimester exposure Lin et al.

Amoxicillin was historically classified as a pregnancy Category B drug. Should beta-lactams fail, macrolides are generally recommended as the next indicated class of antibiotic medications Czeizel et al. Erythromycin base or ethylsuccinate is recommended over erythromycin estolate due to the non-negligible risk of maternal hepatotoxicity Czeizel et al. Studies indicate that azithromycin is effectively compatible with pregnancy as well Fernandez-Obregon, , Sarkar et al.

Tetracyclines, which are commonly used in the general population, are contraindicated after 15 weeks of gestation due to deposition in fetal teeth and bones with subsequent malformations Murase et al. Trimethoprim use in the first trimester has been associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion Andersen et al. Although the treatment is effective for acne Turowski and James, , it is generally recommended to avoid treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracyclines during pregnancy unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Fluoroquinolones have been associated with tendinopathy in animal and in vitro studies as well as through adverse event self-reporting databases Bidell and Lodise, Although no clear fetal risk has been established, amounts of fluoroquinolones cross the placenta Polachek et al.

Given the chondrotoxicity in animal studies von Keutz et al. Oral metronidazole is rarely used to treat uncomplicated acne vulgaris but is used as a common treatment for perioral dermatitis. Metronidazole has an excellent record of safety during pregnancy and is frequently used as the treatment of choice for several common nondermatologic infections during pregnancy Koss et al. When confronted with a patient who is resistant to standard oral antibiotic medications, our case shows that the selection of oral metronidazole may be a safe and reasonable next step.

Oral retinoid medications have a clear causal link to congenital malformations and are absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy Ceviz et al. Spironolactone is commonly used to treat adult acne due to its anti-androgenic effects. The treatment is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of feminization of the male fetus Rathnayake and Sinclair, Oral prednisone may be linked to cases of cleft palate Park-Wyllie et al.

Our patient presented with a rare case of severe acne conglobata with severe impact on her daily life. In acne that is refractory to multiple modalities, prednisone may be used in low-to-moderate doses in controlled courses. However, safer alternatives exist and we do not advocate the routine use of corticosteroid medications during pregnancy unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

In refractory cases, alternative methods of treatment may be considered. Narrowband ultraviolet B NB-UVB phototherapy has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne during pregnancy Zeichner, Although generally thought to have an excellent safety record during pregnancy, studies have shown a decrease in serum folate levels with as few as 18 sessions of NB-UVB El-Saie et al.

Short-term treatment during pregnancy is likely safe and the highest risk with folate deficiency occurs in the early stages of pregnancy. Still, experts recommend caution in patients with a prior history of UVB treatments and it may be wise to measure serum folate levels for patients who are trying to conceive or during the early stages of a pregnancy Pugashetti and Shinkai, Pulsed dye Seaton et al.

The shallow depth of penetration conceptually poses little risk to the fetus but the effects of a painful stimulus in the late stages of pregnancy are unclear. Although these lasers have an excellent overall safety profile in the general population, actual reports of use during pregnancy are limited and make it difficult to establish clear safety guidelines Powell et al. Acne vulgaris is one of the most common complaints for which dermatologists are consulted and may be exacerbated during pregnancy in a subset of patients.

Topical antibiotic medications remain first-line agents for the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate acne. For more severe cases, penicillins or cephalosporins are the most reasonable next step with macrolides as a second-line oral treatment option. Severe cases of nodulocystic acne or acne conglobata with severe psychosocial impact may require controlled courses of corticosteroid medications to ameliorate symptoms.

Oral metronidazole represents a potential, alternative, third-line oral therapy that may be used, as our case illustrates, in combination with topical treatments and low doses of prednisone. Our case also shows a practical approach to the most refractory form of acne during pregnancy. As with all dermatoses during pregnancy, the clinician must carefully weigh the negative impact of a disease against the risks of a therapy before tailoring a treatment regimen for each individual patient.

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To realize such a far-reaching vision requires immense sacrifice and a resolve that is rarely seen, but sorely needed in the field of medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. It took about a month of consistent use but it made my skin look almost flawless. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy make melasma — a skin condition that causes brown patches on the face — more likely, but sun exposure can also trigger those unwanted dark spots.

This means you need to apply a moisturizer with SPF every single day. It's sold in a small tube that's easy to stash in your purse. When you need to amp up your anti-acne routine in pregnancy, glycolic acid an alpha hydroxy acid is safe for evening out skin.

Sperling explains. Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask is a twice-weekly, minute treatment hello, self care! If you have sensitive skin, patch-test a little bit in an inconspicuous area first to make sure you don't develop a reaction. I also like how it tightens your face as the mask dries up.

When I wash it off, my face feels extra clean and plump. One tube also goes a long way. The gel-cream texture is quickly absorbed into skin while locking in moisture.

It even helps my makeup stay in place since it helps my oily skin stay shine-free all day! These handy patches cover your blemish with a thin, invisible hydrocolloid shield that both absorbs pimple pus to speed healing and prevent picking, so no red spots are left behind.

Gaither gives hydrocolloid patches the okay during pregnancy — just make sure the one you choose is non-medicated, as some brands contain salicylic acid, which your doctor may want you to avoid. These patches are not medicated and are designed to blend into skin so well that no one will know they're there — you can even put concealer on top. I pop one on a spot at night and by morning, the spot is smaller, less inflamed and most of the pimple has been drained.

I see such a difference in how quickly pimples heal when using these. Azelaic acid is thought to be safe during pregnancy , according to the AAD.

This ingredient helps kill acne-causing bacteria and decrease keratin production, preventing the protein from building up and plugging pores. As an antioxidant, azelaic acid is also an effective skin brightener, so it can help diminish discoloration or leftover acne scars. Moms-to-be give this formula high praise for keeping breakouts at bay.

Pregnancy acne isn't a special form of acne. Some women simply seem to have trouble with acne during pregnancy. The likely culprit is an overproduction of oil sebum — which happens when certain hormones go into overdrive. Medication also can be used to treat pregnancy acne but any medication applied to your skin or swallowed during pregnancy can enter your bloodstream and affect your baby. While most ingredients in over-the-counter topical acne treatments haven't been studied in pregnancy, typically only small amounts are absorbed into the skin.

This makes it unlikely that the treatments would pose a risk to a developing baby. Generally, skin treatments containing erythromycin Erygel and clindamycin Cleocin T, Clindagel, others are considered safe.

The safety of using benzoyl peroxide to treat pregnancy acne hasn't been established. This treatment should only be used if clearly needed. Acne medication known to cause birth defects — including oral isotretinoin Amnesteem, Claravis and topical retinoids — must be avoided during pregnancy.

If you're concerned about pregnancy acne, consult your dermatologist or your health care provider. Together you can weigh the benefits and risks of various treatment options. Lawrence E. Gibson, M. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

Error Email field is required. However, due to the theoretical concerns and the availability of other topical acne products, tretinoin use is discouraged during pregnancy. Adapalene is a retinoid in the same group of medications as tretinoin. Studies have shown that only a small amount is absorbed through the skin when adapalene gel is used. Studies looking at adapalene in pregnancy include only a very small number of exposed pregnancies therefore, more studies are needed.

Generally, better studied acne products are preferred for treatment in pregnancy. Studies have shown that only a small amount is absorbed through the skin when topical dapsone is used. Studies looking at topical dapsone in pregnancy include only a very small number of exposed pregnancies therefore, more studies are needed. Generally, better studied acne products are preferred for pregnancy.

This is called her background risk. While not well studied, over-the-counter skin treatments have not been associated with an increased chance for birth defects or other pregnancy complications when used during a pregnancy. Since so little of the medication passes into the body, the amount that would reach a developing baby, if any, is unlikely to be a high amount.

If you apply acne treatments onto broken or very irritated skin, more of the active ingredients might be absorbed into your system. Also, many prescription products can have higher amounts of the active ingredients than over-the-counter products, so the amount of medication from the prescription topical treatments that is absorbed into the body might be higher.

However, even these amounts are not likely to cause harmful effects on the baby.