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Acne And Breastfeeding: Causes, Treatments And Home Remedies

Acne occurs when hair follicles get blocked by dead skin and oil. Bacteria propagate within the blockage, thus leading to the formation of tiny bumps, which are commonly known as pimples. These are mostly seen on the face but may also occur on the back, chest, arms, and neck (1).

If you are prone to acne, then you are likely to have outbreaks during pregnancy and post pregnancy as well. But, if you are breastfeeding, you might want to find some alternative ways to deal with it than use over-the-counter medicines.

In this MomJunction post, we tell you about the causes, treatment options, and home remedies for acne during 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
• 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.
• 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)
• 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.

Acne during breastfeeding is common, but also temporary. Do not hesitate to contact your dermatologist or gynecologist if the acne is troubling you too much. Avoid using commercially available non-prescription products. In most cases, acne subsides as your hormones settle to their normal levels.

Did you face acne during breastfeeding? How did you manage it? Let us know in the comment section below.