"Bacne"

[luckytwenty]

Thank goodness my face was spared, but my back is a mess. It's absolutely disgusting. I don't think a centimeter of skin has been spared! Anyone else have this problem? Any safe-for-pregnancy remedies?

[newg]

I have it on my chest and back and face..........not tooooo bad in any one area, but I feel like a teenager again.

I normaly use Aveeno products for acne (Clear Complextion I think) on my face and I've started to use it on my chest area as well. It seems to make a little difference. Not sure if they have an actual body wash though.
I also got a sample of Bare Minerals new acne product.....but got tired of putting a dab on each individual spot.

[jennilynn]

I stopped eating milk and cheese, and that seems to be helping a lot. Something about those foods clashed with the pregnancy hormones, I think.

[luckytwenty]

Interesting...I can't get enough dairy these days!

What are you eating if you aren't getting any milk and cheese to make sure you get all that extra calcium? Soy milk instead?

[jennilynn]

I do soy milk once a day, but no more than that because I worry about the estrogen. I take a coral calcium supplement daily. I also eat greek yogurt and cream cheese, so I haven't given up all dairy. And salmon. I swear it makes my babies smart

[DrSally]

Is it oily. I wonder if a milk of magnesia "mask" on your back would be ok (it's supposed to work on acne). I knew someone who had the clearest, most beautiful skin, and she broke out horribly during preg. It's temporary, but I felt bad for her.

[salsah]

if it's because of the pregnancy, then it's caused by hormones which means that there is little that you can do for it.
as far as products, check w/ your doctor to see if these are safe to use during pregnancy: glycolic acid, salysilic acid, and benzoyl peroxide.

with regards to diet, the following are commonly cited as foods that exacerbate acne:
dairy
caffeine
chocolate
shell fish
acidic foods
strawberries
soy

[luckytwenty]

I'm getting in a normal amount of dairy for a pregnant woman, but have an aversion to chocolate and coffee and am not eating much of the other foods, either. I had a really clear complexion before being pregnant so this must be 100% hormones! I'll ask about the acne treatments at my next appointment. Thanks!

[salsah]

i've heard that organic milk has lower iodine levels than non-organic. (iodine may make acne worse.) i know that starbucks' milk makes me breakout. as does the organic milk from costco (i think it's organic valley).

[OctoberMommy2010]

I feel like I've been reunited with a long, lost sister. I also have bacne and it's making me so sad. I want to wear cute tops and dresses, because I am dying in this heat; however, I don't want to gross out those around me! I have a clear complexion, especially when it comes to my back -so I have definitely chalked this up to hormones. I was, however, going to bring it up at my next appointment. Until then, know that you are not alone! Bring on the cardigans... lightweight of course!