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Hives when breastfeeding

clk723clk723 member
in Breastfeeding
About a week and a half ago I started developing hives on my breasts. Thinking it was a rash due to breast pads I started changing them after every feeding but it didn't help. A few days later they showed up on my legs and now they are completely covering my legs and starting on my arms. I haven't had any changes my diet or hygiene products (laundry soap, shampoo, etc) and it seems to flare up while breastfeeding.

I called my OB/GYN and they had never heard of it but suggested Benadryl. I had already taken Zyrtec which seemed to do nothing so I switched to Benadryl and after 2 days still have had no relief. I called the OB/GYN back and they said they would look into it but to contact a LC or an allergist. The LC also had no experience with it but said they would pose the question to their network and get back to me. Has anyone had this or have any advice? I'm trying not to scratch but that's easier said then done.
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Re: Hives when breastfeeding

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member

    My guess is it's not due to breastfeeding but maybe feels like it flares up when you're nursing because you get hot? I always got really hot when I was nursing, especially in the early weeks, and I think that's pretty common.

    Are the breast pads disposables? Maybe there's something weird in those? Any changes to LOs hygiene products or cloths, or diapers?

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  • melaportmelaport member
    I broke out in really bad hives around 8 weeks post-partum. Saw an allergist who thought it was hormonal. Did 3 weeks of Claritin and Zantac (h1 & h2 blocker) and was better. OB never heard of hormones causing hives.
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  • operaghostoperaghost member
    I personally have not but this happened to one of my close friends. Hers were really bad and she just eventually stopped BFing. She was miserable and it wasn't good for anyone. So I have heard of it.
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  • clk723clk723 member
    Thanks for all of your input. My doctor got in touch with a LC and is thinking it's an allergic reaction to the amount of oxytocin released during letdown. She suggested exclusively pumping and trying different antihistamines since different people react differently to them. Yesterday I started Claritin and today I added Zantac as @melaport suggested and things seem to getting better. She said because its likely hormonal it's not going to do any damage just cause a lot of discomfort so it's up to me how I want to proceed in the end. 
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  • KTZ17KTZ17 member
    The same thing happened to me at about 8 weeks post partum. I called my midwife and she said it wasn't likely related to BFing, and I could try a Claritin. Be cautious with Claritin, Benadryl, and other antihistamines, as they can affect your supply. My rash was super itchy and it stuck around for maybe a week and a half or two weeks. When I did some research on it, I discovered it may have been PUPPP. It usually happens during pregnancy, but for some women it can happen post partum. If it ever happened to me again I would definitely go to the dermatologist, as it was extremely uncomfortable and made me very anxious.

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