Back acne during pregnancy is quite bothersome for the expecting mothers. Read this article to enhance your knowledge on the causes and treatment for this problem.
Acne is a common skin problem that tend to aggravate when a woman is pregnant. Some women who never had any acne problem in the past may start getting outbreaks when they are pregnant. Those who already have acne complains that the condition have worsened in this period. The eruptions of acne may take place in any part of the body like face, back, neck, chest, etc. Dealing with back acne during pregnancy is the toughest, as reaching out to them is quite difficult.
Causes
The main cause behind this condition is hormonal changes. In the first trimester, the level of progesterone hormones in the body increases manifolds. This, in turn, triggers excessive production of sebum by the sebaceous glands that lie under the skin surface. Sebum is an oily substance that keeps our skin and hair in hydrated condition. The excess of sebum thus produced and the dead skin cells of the body block up the skin pores. This way, the skin pores turn into ideal breeding ground for the bacteria that causes inflammation of the skin and formation of acne. Usually, this acne subsides or at least lessens after the first trimester is over and the levels of estrogen hormone rises.
Treatment
Most women are worried about how to get rid of this problem, as many of the popular medications are not suitable for them, and they may cause harm to the unborn baby in future. It includes tetracycline, salicylic acid, retinoid creams, etc. However, there are a number of excellent home treatments that can effectively treat this problem. Here are a few home remedies:
Maintain a Good Hygiene: Maintaining a proper hygiene is a must. Clean your back twice a day with a natural soap and water and keep it free from dirt and debris. You should use natural soaps, because they do not contain any harsh chemicals. To reach out to all the areas of the back, you can use a back scratcher. Take a washcloth and tie it at the end of the back scratcher. Put the attached washcloth into water and then lather it with the soap and rub it gently over the back. Finally, wash off the soap with plain water.
Baking Soda: Baking soda acts as an excellent exfoliating agent and removes the dead skin cells from the acne spot and facilitates faster healing. Prepare a thick paste by mixing up one tablespoon of baking soda and water. It should be applied with the help of washcloth and back scratcher. Slightly dampen the washcloth and pour the baking soda paste on it. Move the washcloth on the acne in light circular motion. Let the paste dry for 5 minutes and then rinse off with water. This skin exfoliation should be done three times in a week.
Tea Tree Oil: The disinfectant qualities of tea tree oil destroy the acne causing bacteria and heal them up. Prepare a solution by combining 5 parts of tea tree oil and 95 parts of water. Dip a washcloth attached to the back scratcher and apply it over the acne and let it get absorbed well into the skin. It is absolutely safe to use tea tree oil for acne during pregnancy.
Honey: The natural antibacterial properties of honey works wonders on back acne. When you use honey for acne, apply the same technique of washcloth and back scratcher. Allow the honey to sit on the acne of 10 – 15 minutes and then wash off with water. This should be repeated twice daily for best results.
Once the acne are cleared, it is likely that they leave behind ugly scars on your back. In this condition, do not go for any dermatological scar treatment. Rather, use some home remedies for acne scar removal. Application of lemon juice or sandalwood and rose water paste are very effective for this purpose.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
