SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: Pregnancy Skin Care

Safe Skin Care During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding by Jenny E. Murase, MD, FAAD

Expectant and new mothers often seek treatment for skin conditions experienced during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, these women also may be caring for skin conditions unrelated to their pregnancy. Dermatologist Jenny E. Murase, MD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, summarized skin conditions pregnant and breastfeeding women may experience as well as some treatments that are safe for mom and baby.

Consult Dermatologist about Treatment of Skin Conditions during Pregnancy

If a medication is not medically necessary, it should be avoided during pregnancy and, in general, cosmetic therapies should be avoided even if their risk to the fetus is likely low. Each patient should consult with her dermatologist before starting or stopping any treatments. The following are Dr. Murase’s recommendations for some common skin conditions in pregnancy:

Acne - Topical prescription therapies are generally considered safe during pregnancy.

Atopic Dermatitis - Topical steroids can be safely used in pregnancy.

Before using oral cortisones, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, the risks and benefits should be considered due to a risk of oral clefts in the babies of patients who used oral cortisones during pregnancy. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy should consult their physician before using antihistamines since, at high doses, they can cause contractions of the uterus as well as withdrawal symptoms in infants.

Psoriasis - Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is generally considered the safest form of psoriasis therapy during pregnancy. Since UV light breaks down the body’s store of folic acid and deficiencies of folic acid can result in oral clefts and other birth defects in babies, it’s important that women of childbearing age, especially those being treated with UV light for psoriasis, take folic acid daily if there is a chance that they may become pregnant.

Pregnant women should consult with their dermatologist before taking biologics since these drugs are relatively new and there is little data to support their safety in pregnancy.