Acne & spots
Acne and pregnancy
If you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant, you and your doctor will have to consider your treatment options carefully, because many of the usual anti-acne treatments are not suitable for use during pregnancy.
- Isotretinoin tablets are completely banned if you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant, as it can cause abnormalities in the developing fetus. The UK government is now insisting on a “pregnancy prevention programme” for women prescribed isotretinoin; you should have a pregnancy test before treatment , monthly during treatment and 5 weeks after stopping it, and you must also continue to use contraception for at least a month after stopping it. The US government has similar regulations.
- Tretinoin cream must not be used for the same reason; although it is applied to the skin, a small amount will be absorbed into the bloodstream and could reach the fetus in the womb.
- Tetracycline antibiotics should also not be taken by women who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. It can damage the developing teeth and bones of the fetus.
Benzoyl peroxide cream or gel is the usual option for treating acne during pregnancy.
Another possibility is a solution containing salicylic acid. Erythromycin is the only antibiotic regarded as being safe in pregnancy, but it may not be very effective as many skin bacteria are now resistant to it.
