Allergic to Breastfeeding
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31160
Printed Date: 29 August 2025 at 10:30am
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Topic: Allergic to Breastfeeding
Posted By: RinTinTin
Subject: Allergic to Breastfeeding
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 8:14pm
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Yup people it's true. You can be allergic to breastfeeding. I am one of the unlucky few who has been lumped with this unfortunate ailment. It's actually an allergy to Prolactin, the hormone that makes your milk. I broke out in hives on my thighs the day my milk came in. I have a cream to put on it which helps but by no means "manages" it or keeps it under control but it's the strongest stuff they can give me while BFing. The rash gets worse during growth spurts and will fluxuate as my milk fluxuates. Stopping BFing isn't an option for me. Even if I did want to, I couldn't afford to. So, is there anyone out there that has had this before? What did you do? What did yours look like? (the rash I mean) What did you use on it? How long did it last for? Any other info you can give? I've searched it on Google and can't find bugger all. If I search for "allergy to prolactin" it comes up with all this stuff about medicines and drugs cause Prolactin is also used in a lot of medicines. My MW said it'll last for 3 months then go away. That leaves me with another 6 weeks at best to deal with it but it's driving me mental. It's sooooooo itchy that I've broken the skin and bruised my legs from scratching. It's also worked its way up my thighs and is at my hips now. Next will be my tummy or back. Hopefully not my back! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 8:39pm
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Wow, how bizarre! That has got to be aweful. Hugs for the next 6 weeks! ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 8:49pm
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I have not had this but I did have PUPPPS(sp?) or something similar during pregnancy so could not use any creams that they could have prescribed if I was not PG. The itching was insane and I had it on my belly and thighs.
The one thing that eased the itching for me was Aveeno Bath Oil it has colodial oatmeal in it and it worked so well for easing the itching, I just rubbed it in to my belly and thighs while I was in the shower and then used the Aveeno moisturiser afterwards. Its not that cheap $20 - $30 but you don't need a lot and it goes a long way, sometimes the chemists have a deal where you get the bath oil free if you buy the moisturiser. Can you take any kind of mild antihistamine? |
Posted By: _Deb_
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 8:53pm
Wow i've never heard of that before! So no advice sorry but just wanted to say good luck with finding something. Hugs. ------------- 
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 8:54pm
No advice or help what so ever but was so weird to see your new name as my boy is Mac and was the only Mac on here for a long time and now he is one of 3 -------------  
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 9:11pm
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No advice either but just wanted to give a
------------- 
 
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Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 9:31pm
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I had crazy rashes on my thighs when DD was a week old - lasted a week or so. Eeek, it was so bad that when we were in whitcolls one day, I hid behind a book shelf and itched like crazy.
I obviously didnt have the allergy as it doesnt sound nearly as bad as yours!! I had lots of baths to help stop the itching....sorry that's all I can say. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Mum to the Gorgeous Leah! 7 months |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 9:55pm
I might go to the chemist and ask if there are any antihistimines I can take. I remember the doctor saying something about them but I can't for the life of me remember what exactly he said.  Will look for that Aveeno stuff too if funds allow. I'm actually more worried about the damage I'm going to do to myself with the scratching. It won't be very pretty. Keep any suggestions coming. Anything that might stop me from tearing myself to shreds. Otherwise I'll strap some over mits to my hands so I can't scratch. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:05pm
 That sounds awful.
Can she refer you to a dermatologist? They'd be the ones who could help with exploring other treatment options. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:19pm
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I don't think she would cause she seems to think it'll only last for 3 months. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:25pm
| You could try the http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/oatmealbath.htm - homemade oatmeal bath its cheap and might help too. Any maybe try almond oil, its another cheaper option. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:57pm
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Ouch! *hugs* ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 11:29pm
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how very bizarre...
i couldnt find anything either but thought this was interesting... Prolactin is normally produced by the pituitary gland and functions in milk production in lactating women. However, during periods of stress, lymphocytes will also produce prolactin. Some woman with PMS have elevated prolactin levels, [6] while others appear to be over sensitive to normal levels. Symptoms associated with prolactin include abdominal tension, edema, weight gain and breast tenderness. [7] Prolactin levels can be further elevated due to low levels of Magnesium and Vitamin B-6. These nutrients stimulates the production of dopamine, which, in turn, limits the release of prolactin. [8] Low Zn levels also increase prolactin release. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 11:35pm
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have you ever had a rash like it before? was it your mw who diagnosed it? i think 3 months is long enough to warrant getting some extra help from a dermatologist or someone. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:08am
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Gosh that sounds awful!
I wonder why it settles at 3 months? (I love endocrinology so I'm curious). Hope it does settle soon, for your sake! ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:28am
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Wow- Another reason why the saying 'everyone can breast feed' annoys me. I really feel for ya hun. Its the last thing you need when dealing with a new baby too!
I was going to say the same as littlebug- why does it suddenly stop at 3 months? One left field suggestion- Did you know that you can get a dissability suppliment from WINZ to cover formula costs- if th rash gets too much for you. Just that you say its a cost thing is all. Just an idea to investigate. ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:34am
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Here's a link to http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/prolactin-levels.html - kellymom about prolactin levels. According to those, the levels are highest at full term pregnancy, I wonder why an allergy to prolactin didn't cause itching then? (just wondering out loud, does anyone know?). Also the levels don't drop at 3 months, but 6, so might be worth getting a referral to a dermatologist or an endocrinologist for some advice.
antihistamines that make you drowsy are safe during breastfeeding (phenergan or polaramine), they would be worth a shot too. |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:56am
Do you think I should increse my Magnesium and Vit B-6 intake then? Or would reducing my Prolactin reduce my milk? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Bizzy wrote:Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:07am
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That kelly mom website is good. It says the Prolactin levels drop when Menstruation starts too. Lucky me, AF has already come back. I'm going to monitor the itching and see if it increase 45 mins after the feed like the article says. I pretty much had no colostrum until Mac was born. I could squeeze teency weency droplets out but that was it. Once Mac was born, the colostrum was still minimal (like it should be ) but what I could get out what 3-4 times more than before he was born. So maybe my body didn't start really producing prolactin until after he was born??? I assume MW thinks it'll go after 3 months is cause either A) the levels of prolactin will settle OR B) my body will get use to the levels and begin to cope with it better. She also said if I have anymore kids, I'll have the reaction again by not nearly as bad. Something about "first exposure" is always the worst??? Oh brain fart!!!!! I was taking Magnesium tablets up until Mac was born cause I had twitchy legs!!! Maybe those tablets were keeping the prolectin levels down which is why the rash never showed up until after. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:08am
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i wondered that too... maybe see you if you can speak to a lactation consultant. i dont think it would hurt too much to try though.
mum2mac our resdient expert is fattartsrock, maybe PM her and see if she knows anything and that kellymom website seems to have helped a few ladies too.
and yet when i see that i think the opposite! Problems and all some mothers will perservere. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:23am
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Just did some Googling. According to quite a few websites I found, they actually recommend you take Magnesium while BF. I'm already taking Fish Oil and Calcium. So whats one more tablet. RE: the "everyone can breastfeed". Yes and no. I think Physiologically, everyone can, but I don't think that everyone has the emotional and mental capability of doing it. It's not a task that comes naturally, it's a learned art (Mac wouldn't feed for the first 24 hours, he was fed by suringe and finger sucking) and it's hard work and not everyone can cope with the extra work load of feeding on top of caring for their new baby. Personally, I refuse to give up though.  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 11:57am
Thats a funny comment to make, considering she is ALLERGIC to breastfeeding, and is still managing to do it! ------------- 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 12:17pm
Well said. and Kudos to you for trying to find a solution and for your perserverance! Eden was the same, wouldnt feed from me and had to be syinge and finger fed, and she was my 3rd child. I was devestated, but 22 mths later and she is still going strong on BM. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 12:39pm
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sorry didnt mean to hijack the thread- ignore what I said.....
When I wrote it I meant- how interesting the concept/saying was really...when you see this kind of situation happen... I didnt want to start a debate. Good on you for persisting- I totally take my hat off to you, and support anyone who does persist. PS-(I know that actually some people cant though... emotions and phsycology aside)  -------------
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 12:50pm
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duh to me for not reading properly - formerly amstaff... i wondered who you were! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 1:16pm
Oh wow, I have no advice for you hun but I couldn't read and run. Ouchies  I hope you get some relief from some of the ideas here ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 3:23pm
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LOL, I really got lumped with it all. I got flat nipples as well which makes feeding a bit of a task, but it's doable. Thanks to everyone for your support. I kind of feel like a "flea bitten mongrel" actually with the scratching. You know that look that dogs get on their face when they scratch behind their ears? That kind of, relief mixed with pleasure look? Well I'm sure thats what I look like when I'm scratching my thighs. The look on my face when I see what I just did to myself afterwards is somewhat different though. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 3:28pm
Yeah, figured my dogs weren't really my babies anymore. Lol. Wanted a more fitting name. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 4:02pm
i know those looks, my eczema used to make me do the same! ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 8:32am
No advice Carin, but just wanyed to say well done you for perservering  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Lucelou
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:07pm
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Mum2Mac! It's great to finally hear of someone else who knows what I've been through! We could almost be the same people. Poppy was given a few formula top up until my milk came in (about day3) too. Did you have a caesarean? Anyway the day my milk came in I developed this lovely rash in my groin creases! As this was clearing after about a week I then developed a rash under my boobs. At this stage we (me, midwife, doctor, mother, anyone else who had an opinion) were all thinking it was a reaction to new mum stress/ heat/reaction to washing powder (partner had done the shopping, got different brand) and the list goes on... Finally stumbled on something in some baby book, although it was refered to as Oxytocin allergy so maybe try googling that.
As for relief, I tried all sorts (and it seems so long ago!), from oatmeal baths to vinegar washes, Prantal powder (a talc type powder) was really good when I was getting hot and sweaty which always made it extra itchy! I wouldn't waste your money on that aveeno stuff or alpha keri as neither of them overly helped me. Anyway, your midwife is hopefully right. Mine had pretty much settled by the time Poppy was 3 months old. Still get the occasional rash but nothing as severe as in the early days! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 10:34am
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Wow someone else! Yay I'm not a lonely freak of nature!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 13 February 2010 at 10:04pm
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Sorry, I hadnt read this thread before. AandCsmum jsut told me about it after we had a conversation about this.
I had something like this too. It started shortly after I had my first and it would flare up if I got hot (like had a bath) and would cover half my body with hot, itchy welts. I was going insane!!!! One pharmacist told me I couldnt take antihistamines and recommended pinetasarol (smells awful, used for chicken pox). Thankfully another let me take zyrtec. I cant remember how long it lasted...I took one tablet a day and it kept it away. Then one day I tried without it and I was fine. This didnt happen with James and I am still BFing after 13 months. I never considered stopping BFing. It never entered my mind. My MW had suggested it was a reaction to oxytocin but it still never entered my mind that stopping BFing was an option. I was totally against the idea of FFing....because it looked like far too much effort...not any philosophical reason..I was just too lazy.
ANyway, it did stop.
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 14 February 2010 at 1:59pm
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I've just started taking Loratadine but it diesn't seem to be helping. Might give it a week and go in search of Zyrtec if there is no improvement. Thanks ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 14 February 2010 at 5:56pm
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I had PUPPPS and the itchy rash drove me insane. my naturopath said to take Rhus Tox 30C and it disappeared after a couple of days. i know it's not the same thing but might be worth a shot? Or even talking to a naturopath?
I scratched mine so bad they turned into sores but haven't scarred so hopefully you'll be ok too. I also took anti-histimines but don't think they did much. One thing that helped the itching at night (when it drove me completely nuts) was hot water bottles filled with icy water and frozen wheat packs. Lavender oil in a cold bath is nice too but only temporary. I hope you find a solution! ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">  
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 14 February 2010 at 8:35pm
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I had PUPPPS too and was prescribed a hydrocortisone cream (which I didn't like to use unless the itching was killing me - you know what I'm talking about). The best thing I found for it was pinetarsol soap (in a soap block rather than the liquid). At one stage I was showering a couple of times a day because the pinetarsol gave me such relief from the itching. Eventually it even made the hives disappear. The only downside is that I smelt like public toilets from 32wks until DS was born (clean public toilets though). It's really naughty but if you don't want to scratch but the itching is just unbearable turn your shower up as high as it will go and direct the scorching hot water onto the itchy area - aaaah instant relief (although you may end up burnt -------------  
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Posted By: tiptoes
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 12:38pm
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Funny how pain is preferable to itching when the itch is that bad isn't it? ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com">
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 1:56pm
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I'll be lucky if I have no scars. I've scratched myself till bleeding on numerous occassions. And I have some parts where I've scratched so hard the blood has come to the surface under the skin. The rash is now on my arms and boobs. Naturopath will be my next stop I think. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 15 February 2010 at 2:51pm
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Just to threadjack briefly, I am a weirdo, I LOVE the smell of pinetarsol... -------------   
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