Acne that won't heal

I have had problems with mild acne all my life but have noticed that it has become a larger problem since the birth of my first child 9 months ago.  The blemish itself seems nothing out of the ordinary but I have noticed that it is taking much longer to heal.  The area becomes extremely dry and then cracks and bleeds.  I wash my face twice daily with a mild oily/ combination skin cleanser and follow up with a light moisturizer.  I have even gone as far a to sleep with a band-aid and antibiotic ointment on it.  It seem to help briefly but within an hour or so after removal the problem area dries out again.  I have begun taking probiotics daily as I have a history of an overabundance of yeast in my system and I have also begun using my daughter's prescription ointment that her Dr. prescribed for a yeast infection/diaper rash (that I apply with a sterile cotton swab).  This seems to be the only thing so far that has made any noticeable difference.  My largest concern is the scaring, that I am beginning to feel is inevitable. I am currently battling 2 blemishes that I have had for over 6 weeks now.  What am I doing wrong??

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Acne is due to an overactivity and plugging of the oil glands. Just keep you face clean by washing with a mild soap atleast twice a day.Pat it dry and do not rub it.Avoid picking or pressing the acne.You can also use Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel once at bedtime. An amount of lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of your face. If your skin becomes red or peels, you are using too much of the medicine or applying it too often.For the dryness,you are right in using a mild moisturizer.

As far as the blemishes are concerned, what you seem to be having are called chloasma of pregnancy. These changes are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, which stimulate a temporary increase in your body's production of melanin.
Treatment options include treatment with vitamin C and hydrocortisone, peel with carbon dioxide snow and alexandrite and ND-Yag Q-Switched laser treatment preceded by a hydroquinone-based application.

I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and discuss this problem of acne if even after application of benzyl peroxide,they don’t heal.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts.