For women prone to acne, it is not uncommon to experience breakouts during and after pregnancy. In this post, we talk about acne and breastfeeding. Acne occurs when dead skin and oil block the hair follicles. Bacterial growth multiplies in the blockage, leading to pimples or acne. While acne most commonly occurs on the face, it may also occur on the neck, chest, back, and arms (1). While over-the-counter (OTC) acne medicines may be working well for you, you may want to be doubly sure regarding their safety while using them during breastfeeding. Read on as we talk about the causes, home remedies, and safe treatment options for acne when breastfeeding.
Can Breastfeeding Cause Acne?
A rise in serum androgen levels in pregnancy leads to increased sebum production and hence causes acne (2). This continues after delivery too. After delivery, it takes some time before the hormones settle down, and hence acne might occur. Moreover, for new mothers reduced sleep and increased stress may also cause pimples. If your skin is prone to acne, you are likely to have it during breastfeeding as well (3). However, not all women who are breastfeeding will have the breakouts.
Causes Of Acne When Breastfeeding
While hormonal changes are said to cause acne, the exact cause has not yet been established (4). Below are some of the possible reasons for acne in women who are breastfeeding.
Lack of sleep and increased stress (5) Dehydration Fried, spicy foods, moderate processed foods Image: iStock High androgen increases sebum production and may cause acne (6) The small pores present on the skin surface are connected to the sebum-producing glands under the skin by a canal, which is also known as a hair follicle. At times, the sebum, hair, and dead skin cells can collect and form a plug. The bacteria present in the plug causes swelling, and eventually leads to acne (7) An increase in sebum production in the last few months of pregnancy and during breastfeeding might also cause acne (8) Endocrine system conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (9) Women with Cushing’s syndrome (10)
Some of the above causes are generic and might cause acne irrespective of whether a woman is breastfeeding or not.
Home Remedies For Acne During Breastfeeding
Developing a skin-care routine and sticking to it can help in the prevention and recurrence of pimples. The following measures might help you deal with acne (6) (11).
Drink eight to ten glasses of water every day. Image: Shutterstock Wash your face with a mild oil-free face wash and lukewarm water twice a day. Do not scrub the skin as it can increase oil production. Do not burst the pimples as it can lead to the spread of bacteria to other parts of the body. Use a mild cleanser for sensitive skin. Apply fragrance-free moisturizer and sunscreen lotion. Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Avoid eating junk food and very spicy food. Include healthy fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your daily diet. Avoid food with a high glycemic index. Try and get sufficient sleep. Sleep when the baby sleeps. It might be difficult with an infant, so ask friends or family to help with cooking, cleaning, chores when possible.
Some herbs and natural remedies are used for acne. However, it is not known if these are safe while breastfeeding. Use these after consulting your doctor.
Applying tea tree oil is considered effective (12) Consumption of probiotics might help reduce acne (13) Essential oils, like basil oil and copaiba oil, might also be helpful (14) Drinking green tea (14) Topical application of citrus fruits (15) Image: Shutterstock Topical application of honey can help, owing to its antibacterial and antifungal properties (16) Topical application of extra virgin coconut oil due to its antimicrobial and antiviral properties (17) Anecdotal evidence suggests the use of baking soda A mask made from oatmeal and cucumber
Everything labeled under the tag of natural may not be safe when you are breastfeeding. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor before using these home remedies.
Acne Treatment When Breastfeeding
If the acne outbreak is severe, then the doctor may suggest a treatment plan that is safe during breastfeeding. The first line of treatment is the topical application. Ointments accumulate in the follicles and treat the acne due to their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The doctor might prescribe ointments containing one or a combination of the following drugs (18).
Antibiotics like erythromycin, clindamycin, metronidazole, dapsone, etc. Benzoyl peroxide Azelaic acid Salicylic acid
All these medicines are available as OTC drugs, but do not use them without consulting your doctor. Severe cases of acne, like cystic acne, might not cure with topical ointments alone. In such cases, the doctor might recommend the use of oral medications or light therapy (18). Oral medications include:
Oral macrolides (erythromycin or azithromycin) Cephalexin Zinc compounds
Blue-violet or red-light phototherapy is used as a separate treatment entity or is administered along with topical or oral medications.
Treatment To Avoid When Breastfeeding
Topical application and oral medications containing the following drugs are contraindicated for nursing mothers (18).
Hormonal therapy Co-trimoxazole Fluoroquinolones Topical and oral retinoids
Does Breast Milk Clear Acne?
A study noted that human breast milk contains a natural compound called lauric acid, which could have the potential to treat acne (19). Lauric acid is also found in coconut oil. Therefore, you may use virgin coconut oil as well.
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