Vent: flippin acne

[mtgirl]

Ugh, we are TTC. I have battled cystic acne since I was 20. With the help of my derm we found a great little drug mix that cleared it up. Of course it is not safe for me to use now.

I have been off the drugs for 4 months now and just had my IUD out a month ago and the breakouts are back. I feel like a junior high kid with this. I may miss my acne meds more than wine as this progresses along.

Have you found any baby friendly acne treatments? There seems to be mixed information about over the counter benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

[Cheesecake]

It sounds really stupid, but I have a friend who changed her entire face care regiment to washing /scrubbing with baking soda, and plain old vaseline (a tiny bit) for moisturizing. Her acne did get lots better, and I think she even kept it up after pregnancy because it really worked.

Sent from my phone, please disregard typos

[awick14]

Hugs

[blindyswife]

No advice, just hugs.

Does your derm have any advice on safe at home remedies?

[winecheery]

I second speaking to a derm. And so very sorry you're dealing with this.

[jewel]

I hear you on this one! According to WebMD (however accurate they are...):

www.webmd.com/baby/features/pregnancy-skin-care-get-that-glow

--
"You should not use any products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or any of the retinoids. They are not safe to use during pregnancy," says Jamal, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology and microbiology at NYU Medical Center in New York City.

What you can try, she says, are sulphur-based topical products, as well as those containing glycolic acid or alpha hydroxy acids, or any at-home microdermabrasion treatment.

If these don't help, says Jamal, there are topical prescription drugs that offer good results. "These include erythromycin cream and azelaic acid -- both very safe to use during pregnancy."

And while Jamal does not advise using oral antibiotics for acne during pregnancy, Marmur says for patients who don't get results with topical treatments, prescription oral erythromycin is considered safe to use.
--

I use, and prefer, sulfur products. I'd recommend the following:

Spot Treatment
www.webmd.com/baby/features/pregnancy-skin-care-get-that-glow

Masque
www.sephora.com/sulfur-cooling-masque-P3617?skuId=1446178

Cleanser - Clay bar (can also be used as a mask and spot treatment)
www.sephora.com/umbrian-clay-treatment-bar-P7843?skuId=445478

These are items that work for me, but everyone's skin is so different. I like sulfur and clay, and it seems to be safer than some of the other acne products.

[sunflower22]

I spent months trying a million different special types of soaps and cleansers, then I randomly tried just using plain old regular Dial soap. It cut my breakouts down drastically. I don't use any scented body wash anymore either, just soap bar head to toe. Saves money too!

[FastHands]

ermmmm wtf. I hate my doctors right now. I use a retinoid AND a BP gel, and it's alllll on my medications sheet, and both my GP and my GYN looked at the list and I TOLD them I was TTCing, and they said to just take a prenatal. My acne is pretty bad even WITH the treatments, sooo I'm about to feel your pain.

[berbles]

Fast, you need to stop the retinoid ASAP!

[sunflower22]

Nov 26, 2012 10:21:50 GMT -5 FastHands said:

ermmmm wtf. I hate my doctors right now. I use a retinoid AND a BP gel, and it's alllll on my medications sheet, and both my GP and my GYN looked at the list and I TOLD them I was TTCing, and they said to just take a prenatal. My acne is pretty bad even WITH the treatments, sooo I'm about to feel your pain.

Really?! I'd be having a convo w my doctors if I were you, I was under the impression that retinoids can cause birth defects. I may be off base w what you specifically take and that info but you definitely need to find out asap.

[mandapanda18]

Nov 26, 2012 14:55:07 GMT -5 sunflower22 said:

Nov 26, 2012 10:21:50 GMT -5 FastHands said:

ermmmm wtf. I hate my doctors right now. I use a retinoid AND a BP gel, and it's alllll on my medications sheet, and both my GP and my GYN looked at the list and I TOLD them I was TTCing, and they said to just take a prenatal. My acne is pretty bad even WITH the treatments, sooo I'm about to feel your pain.

Really?! I'd be having a convo w my doctors if I were you, I was under the impression that retinoids can cause birth defects. I may be off base w what you specifically take and that info but you definitely need to find out asap.

Ditto... stop the retinoids asap! OP I feel your pain, my skin has been aweful, it was so bad in my early twenties that I took accutane, I just invested in a good concealer *(MUFE)* and scrub it off as soon as I get home. GL

[FastHands]

retinoids absolutely do cause birth defects. I assumed since they had my list in freaking front of them that maybe it was only oral retinoids, not topical. Soooooooooo maybe a good thing nothing has stuck so far? Ugh, frustrating.

[mtgirl]

Sorry to post and run the other day.

yes, I spoke with my derm before I went off these meds. I went back today to deal with this breakout. I was able to get a cortizone shot in my breakout. It is approved by my derm and ob but hurts like a mofo. I always end up in tears but it clears it up by the nexxt day.

I was able to get ask him all of my questions. The reality is that I will see my breakouts/cysts increase. He is comfortable with the use of benzoyl peroxide and said not all retinods are the same. Some can be used throughout pregnancy. But I am paranoid and still staying off that one until after baby.