Which acne treatments are safe while breastfeeding?

Question

Hello doctor,

Four years ago, I developed pimples on my forehead, which I initially thought were due to the extreme heat. However, these pimples did not go away even in winter, and over time, they gradually spread across my face. Now, I have acne marks all over my face. For the past two years, I have also had dark spots on my nose, cheeks, and chin, which became much darker during my pregnancy.

Three months ago, I had a c-section, and the medication given to me completely cleared the rash. Unfortunately, the rash has now returned. My daughter, who is three months old, is exclusively breastfeeding and not receiving anything else. Could you please recommend a medicine that is safe for me to use and would not harm my baby?

Before this, my skin was wheatish, but it has now become very dark, especially after the rash and the c-section. I have not used any medication until now, but I recently bought a cream called Hydroquin Plus, although I have not used it yet.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern

I am really sorry to hear about your condition, but I am glad you are paying attention to the changes in your body. Do not worry, I am here to help you. Based on your symptoms, it seems like you may have acne vulgaris along with darkened skin patches, possibly due to hormonal imbalances, cosmetic changes, or the use of contraceptive pills or other medications. I recommend getting a hormone profile test and sharing the results with me.

Regarding your concerns, using the medication topically will not affect your baby. However, oral tablets could potentially harm your baby, so avoid taking them. To help with the acne, you can try the following treatments:

Take Minocycline 500 milligrams, of three times a day, for one week.
Apply two percent Resorcinol topically once a day.
Use 0.1 percent Tretinoin topically twice a day.
Or try 20 percent Azelaic acid once a day or five percent Dapsone gel once a day for one month.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.