3rd Trimester

PSA: Breastfeeding & Wool allergies

I thought I would post this here in case anyone has severe skin allergies - I have always had severe eczema and allergic reactions to food allergies, etc.  But it came as a shock to my doc and to me that I was allergic to lanolin.  I am slightly allergic to wool (which lanolin is a derivative of) but nothing too bad.  It took 2 weeks to figure out that the lanolin was causing my nipple rash and breaking in the beginning.  Once I switched to another kind of cream (they make a coco butter version with no lanolin) everything cleared up.  Same goes for my son, I cannot use a diaper cream with lanolin in it either.

For 99.9% of everyone else, lanolin is completely allergy free.  For me and my stupid genes, it is kryptonite for the boobs.  Just thought I would put it out there for anyone else.

 

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Re: PSA: Breastfeeding & Wool allergies

  • Thanks for the PSA.  I have really sensitive skin and am very sensitive to wool, though not a true allergy.  It's good to have this on my radar in case I have a problem.  Do you think I should try some lanolin now, before I'm in the middle of BFing?
    ***************************** Our beautiful daughter was born in October 2009. Turns out she was quite the miracle. After two years of TTC, diagnosed with DOR. A couple of failed treatment cycles later, we decided to let go of our hope for more biological children and explore adoption.
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  • DunkinDunkin member
    It couldn't hurt to try - I never even thought it was really a possibility... Now I just check creams and things before I buy them... Hopefully you will not have any reaction at all.
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  • Probably not, but I have a terrible time in general finding things that don't make me itch, so I think I'll have to check it out before i really need it.  Thanks for the heads up!
    ***************************** Our beautiful daughter was born in October 2009. Turns out she was quite the miracle. After two years of TTC, diagnosed with DOR. A couple of failed treatment cycles later, we decided to let go of our hope for more biological children and explore adoption.
  • You probably didn't know you were allergic to lanolin because most wools you buy in the store to wear have had most of the lanolin laundered out.  I'm a knitter and while I love, love, LOVE getting my hands on some virgin wool to spin into yarn and knit up (sheep grease makes handknit wool items very warm and water resistant), my hands will break out in a rash if I touch it. *sigh*  I am glad I found out about this before I bought nipple cream, since everyone seems to swear by lanolin.
  • good to know I will start with the smallest container since I have a list of allergies that is HUGE.  I can't even use soaps I have to buy ones made from milk.
    Me DOR amh .64 ng/mL  
    DH Brain Cancer
    BFP #1 12/11/08 DS born 8/23/09
    BFP#2 10/13/11 DC 11/4/11
    BFP#3 12/6/13 Lost 12/29/13
    Told IVF is the only option and have not found a clinic that will take me.



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