Postpartum Hives

ButterflyRae

So 5 days after my little boy was born, I broke out in terrible hives with no known cause. 

I'm taking oral steroids and they are clearing up (even though they seem to come back whenever the steroid dose wears down), but I cannot take antihistamines because they could dry up my breast milk. Nor can I take oatmeal baths since I've been advised not to take baths at all at this point (by my OBGYN). 

My doctor, OBGYN, and endocrinologist were all unable to pinpoint what caused them but have suggested that it might just be my body reacting to the changes in estrogen / progesterone that come following delivery. (I do have another autoimmune condition, Hashimoto's, so this seems possible to me.)

I am worried that once I taper off the steroids they are just going to come back and can't seem to find much actual research about postpartum hives on the internet. I've found some reports from people on other forums saying that they have gotten hives triggered by breastfeeding, but I don't think that is what is going on for me (if anything, the hives seem to clear up slightly immediately after I nurse). 

Has anyone gone through this before? And if so, how long did it last for you and how did you ride it out?

backatac

Yes!! Mine are so awful and itchy.
I called my OB and they said it sounded like PUPPS and put me on a prednisone pack. Just started today and praying for some relief. I kept telling nurses and docs in the hospital I had hives and they kept ignoring it and chalking it up to the heavy detergent on their sheets which looking back is so ridiculous! Hydrocortisone works for a bit and provides some relief. Benedryl just made me more tired than I already am. Here's hoping these steroids work and it sticks! I'm just glad someone else posted on here about it I thought I was all alone in this one!

ButterflyRae

That's terrible that they didn't take you seriously in the hospital! From what I can glean, it is relatively rare for this to develop after pregnancy, but even so, you would assume that people who work in maternity would familiarize themselves with it.

My prednisone did work, and according to my doctor, it pretty much has to work eventually since the mechanism through which it operates is suppressing your immune response to allergens. For me, it kicked in after about 3 days. I'm just scared to taper off it now since I still got a little flare up between day 3 and day 4.

Did your OBGYN think that a single course would do it? 

Mine just said that she had very little experience with this and suggested that I speak to a dermatologist. My PCP also seemed unfamiliar with it and just gave me a referral for an allergist when I expressed concern that the hives would return. 

thinkpink101

I developed hives after my twins because I was made to have an epidural. It's been 10.5 years... Normally I manage them with antihistamines but since I'm already struggling with breastfeeding supply issues in trying not to take any. I'm itching my skin off some days.

jen83mn

I developed really itchy skin on my lower belly, tops of my feet, and insides of my knees two weeks post-partum. It was awful! If I scratched it I would get raised red bumps. I used hydrocortisone cream to help, but when that stopped working I rubbed tucks pads with witch hazel on the areas and that provided some relief! I also just bought Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap to use on those areas in the shower and it seems to be helping. Nothing's worse than trying to breastfeed when your entire body is itching like mad!

sdheft619

I'm curious what your hives look like. I have these marks on my arms that looks like poison ivy but it's not that! They are super itchy as well. Could someone describe what theirs looks like?!

backatac

Mine started out as giant hives on my thighs but as its spread down my legs and arms it looks more like poison ivy or eczema - smaller red bumps and itchy as hell!!! On prednisone day 2 and the itch seems to be improving somewhat finally!

cmlsu

I've got it as well, though mine developed on my stomach one week prior to delivery and spread to my thighs and arms now 3 weeks post delivery. I got a steroid shot last week and it helped but they have not totally cleared. I'm hoping to do a short course of prednisone to finish them off. It is absolutely miserable!

eah325

My doctor diagnosed me with PUPPs. I developed three days after delivery. I've attached a photo for reference in case anyone else is struggling with this. It's awful and so itchy!

ButterflyRae

The ones on my legs and arms looked a lot like those in the picture above while the ones on my feet and ankles looked more like giant welts. 

Went to see an allergist today and she said that mine were likely a reaction to changes in estrogen & progesterone combined with being on a really high dose of motrin. Although I've never developed hives in response to aspirin before, she said I was likely sensitive to that because I have nasal polyps and that sensitivity combined with the hormonal changes likely pushed me over the edge. She said that, given that I have little history of hives, the reaction would probably subside after about 2 weeks.

Because my did not respond to prednisone right away (until day 3 or 4 on it), she is having me do a longer course of steroids and we are going to consider zyrtec if that doesn't work (if the lactation consultant okays it).  

In any case, I was so relieved to meet with her since she said that she sees hives post-delivery all the time. This was reassuring since all my other doctors (PCP, OBGYN, endocrinologist) told me that they didn't see this a lot. 

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby

After my first I was diagnosed with postpartum PUPPS. they gave me some cream and it cleared in about a week. This pregnancy I developed PUPPPS during pregnancy. They gave me cream and had me take allergy meds. It helped for a while but then stopped helping. It completely cleared up after delivery. I then developed postpartum again a few days after leaving the hospital. I kept putting off calling and at one month pp it finally went away. Cortisone cream helped some. It is miserable. I hope all you ladies feel better soon!