Imagine developing hives all over your body right after breastfeeding your newborn. This was the reality for one woman who shared her experience on social media, revealing that she also had a headache. A visit to the doctor brought a surprising diagnosis: lactation anaphylaxis, a rare condition where she is essentially allergic to breastfeeding.
What is Lactation Anaphylaxis?
Dr. Pamela Berens, an ob/gyn at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, explains that lactation anaphylaxis is extremely rare, with only a handful of case reports since the 1990s. A PubMed search yields few results, including a 2019 case report in Cureus and a 2015 case in the Australasian Medical Journal. “In 30 years of practicing, I’ve never seen a case,” Berens shared with MedPage Today. She clarified that this condition is not an allergy to breast milk itself but rather an allergic reaction to the hormonal changes during breastfeeding.
Dr. Zachary Rubin, a pediatric allergist and clinical immunologist who frequently discusses allergies online, also noted in a video that he had never encountered a case. He suggested that significant changes in estrogen and progesterone levels postpartum might lead to a non-immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy, contributing to lactation anaphylaxis.
The Hormonal Connection
Dr. Berens explained that the drastic hormonal changes around delivery, such as the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone levels, can make someone more sensitive to histamine release, increasing the risk of an anaphylactic reaction, particularly soon after giving birth. These hormonal shifts may destabilize mast cells involved in anaphylaxis, making some women more prone to dramatic allergic responses. Despite its root cause, anaphylaxis is treated similarly.
A Case Study
One documented case involved a woman who experienced lactation anaphylaxis with her first three children. When her fourth child was born, she was treated with corticosteroids and antihistamines. Although she still developed symptoms while breastfeeding, they were less severe, and antihistamines and epinephrine ultimately resolved her issues. After a few days, she no longer had reactions while nursing.
Managing the Condition
Dr. Rubin mentioned that some women, according to limited literature, could continue breastfeeding with antihistamines or epinephrine, while others had to stop. The woman who shared her story on social media managed to continue breastfeeding her son with the help of an EpiPen and allergy medication. “If I don’t take my allergy medicine, I will break out in hives while nursing,” she noted.
Takeaway
Dr. Berens emphasized the rarity of lactation anaphylaxis but stressed the importance of listening to patients. “Rare things do happen, so it’s crucial to pay attention to what your patients are experiencing.”
This account underscores the importance of awareness and proper medical support for new mothers experiencing unusual symptoms. While lactation anaphylaxis is rare, understanding and addressing it can make a significant difference in a mother’s breastfeeding journey.
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