Allergic to Breastfeeding

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!

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?

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

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.

That sounds awful.

Can she refer you to a dermatologist? They'd be the ones who could help with exploring other treatment options.

You could try the homemade oatmeal bath its cheap and might help too. Any maybe try almond oil, its another cheaper option.

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.

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!

Here's a link to 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.

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.