Purpose of this blog

Hello Everyone,
I have such a response to my post on my other blog. I have heard from so many women who have had similar experiences-to a greater or lesser extent. With every women I come in contact with I am amazed at how many of us are out there.
Starting this blog was suggested to me and after thinking about it, I think it is needed. A single place where we can all share our stories. Share our problems. Let each other know what is working for us, and then one day help the medical community find the answer to why and hopefully help.
As I receive stories, updates, and info that I find or are given I will post them here. If you have anything to share you can email me at judeebeeforme@yahoo.com
Please become a follow if you have had, are having, or know someone who has had this problem.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

All Done Nursing

Well baby is a year and we've totally weened. He handled it really well. So the big question is have my hives gone away?... In short, no. Long, sort of. I've stopped taking my meds. Its been a few weeks. Every few days I have a very small outbreak on my elbows. It only lasts for about an hour. I have another appointment with my allergist next month. Oh, and also my milk still hasn't dried up yet, and I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

90 comments:

  1. I'm starting a regimine of stinging nettle tea and dandelion root caplets. I've been suffering post partum hives for five weeks. Claratin, zyrtec, pepcid, prednisone etc all to no avail. I break out as I feed and in the middle of the night. Last night, I didn't scratch. I was stunned. This morning I
    l broke out when I fed but only half as itchy as nomal. I can see the hives but they aren't hurting as much. I'm in shock. Going to keep at this tea and dandelion approach will let u know how it goes. Scary how little info there is on the web for solving this.

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  2. I also have hives that started postpartum. Mine began after about 7 months postpartum and I found that 1/2 a children's zyrtec every other day regulates it. I've had the hives for about 7 months now and am in the weaning process. I have a strong suspicion that the hives are related to the thyroid and hormone levels (http://www.mythyroid.com/postpartum.html). The same thing happened to my sister postpartum. You would think that our doctors would know about what is happening since there are a good number of women who are experiencing this.

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  3. Any updates for June? Have your hives gone away? My son is 2 1/2 months old and I have been having chronic hives for a month now. It began in the nursing department and now has spread to my tummy,legs,knees,forearms and elbows. I am considering weaning my son although I hate to do it, so I would like to know if your hives went away after your milk dried up.

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  4. I too am curious if your hives have gone away? I had hives all through my pregnancy, and my OB thought they would go away after delivery. Well, lucky me, they are worse. I am breastfeeding, but have found no relationship between the two. I have them all day, whether I am feeding or not. Sometimes it does seem that if I go longer between feedings, they seem to get worse. Thank you for posting what you have found though. As crazy as it sounds, I'm so glad this is more common than I thought. Everyone I know looks at me like I'm crazy. My break outs look just like the pictures you posted, most of the time worse. :(

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  5. I am almost four months postpartum and was directed to this blog by my lactation consultant. For the past month I have had serious rash/hives (before that I had very itchy skin but had not noticed the hives). The condition is most severe on my abdomen area, where I seem to have hives on top of hives and it looks like the surface of the moon. Dermatologist said that it was an allergic reaction to something (but he could not say what) and prescribed kenalog cream. That is helping reduce the severity of the rash on my belly, but since I've seen the dermatologist I've had breakouts of hives on my arms, legs, back and back of my neck (and it is not advised to use steroid creams over significant parts of the body).

    The itchiness worsens after nursing and in the middle of the night. Last night for the first time I took a Claritin...ahhhh! Relief--still itchy, but not enough to keep me from sleeping. However I would prefer not to continue with these medications in the long term. I am going to try dandelion root/nettles tea as suggested in another comment. Hopefully that works and/or this horrible condition comes to an end! Thank you for starting this blog.

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  6. I posted on here earlier wondering if the hives had left the blogger after she quit nursing. Ladies, I finally found out what I have....PUPPS. It is a condition that "normally" attacks women in their last stage of pregnancy, but in some "rare" cases it can occur after delivery. I never had them during my pregnancy, but I have them now. And guess what? The itching gets worse at night! And it starts in the area where stretch marks are on the belly. In my case during my pregnancy my stretch marks were on my boobs at not on my tummy...and that is where this rash started. Look up PUPPS on google and there is a website with pictures that look exactly like us! Good news, it does go away (mine is starting to go away after a little over a month) I did try to wean my son before I found out this info and I regretted it the next day, my milk supply did go way down, but I have been pumping and nursing alot and taking fenugreek and spacial tea for nursing mommas by angel baby. Oh and I think PUPPS is alot more common after delivery than doctors realize. It is caused by hormones from having a boy baby. At least that is what I understood.

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  7. I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only person out there with this horrible rash. I just stumbled upon this blog, and I must admit it depresses me to see how long some of you have had this rash. I keep thinking it's going to magically disappear one day. I started with it when I was 37 weeks, and it was on my stomach (stretch marks) I was told it was PUPPS by my OB, and that it would go away after delivery. I delivered a beautiful baby boy 4 weeks ago, and the rash has only gotten worse. My doctor tells me that I was diagnosed wrong and that it's not PUPPS because it would have gone away by now. I've had two steriod creams, and take Benedryl everyday. I've never experienced anything like this, and I'm dying for a cure. I've now been refered to a dermatolgist so I'm praying that there is something to get rid of this. I've also read that it could be an allergic reaction to your husbands DNA that your body is absorbing from the placenta.... who knows I just hope it goes away soon!

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  8. I posted on here in Septemeber, and just wanted to update for anyone else that finds this page. My rash is starting to go away. I used 3 different types of steriod creams and nothing worked. My doctor put me on pregnazone (?spelling) which seems to have made it clear up. Now it's only been 3 days since I finished the pregnazone, I had to take 8 pills every morning for 5 days. The rash seemed to get considerably worse, and by day 3 I almost stopped taking the pills...then suddenly it dried up and started to disappear. I lived with this rash for 8 weeks and it's horrible. Good luck everyone!

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  9. I too am suffering with post partum hives. It started when my son was 4 weeks old and he is now 7 weeks. My doctor put me on steroids and ranitidine. The steroids seemed to clear up the hives, but three days after I finished the medicine (the same day I resumed nursing after pumping and dumping while I was on the steroids), the hives are back. I don't know what to do - I know I shouldn't scratch, but I can't help it. I spend almost all day thinking about the itching.

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  10. I was diagnosed as having PUPPPS during the last 3 mos of my pregnancy... it was everywhere but on my face and breasts and horribly painful/itchy. They gave me steroid cream, but i was told to use it "sparingly"... ha, the size of a travel toothpaste to handle my entire itching body! the drs were going to induce me a month early just because it was so unbearable, then i got to researching and found online that several people used Grandpas brand Pine Tar Soap. In desperation i got some... it smells like a campfire and is brown ... not exactly appearling, but i tried it and it almost got rid of the rash completely. i put the bar in a soap scrub puff and scrubbed away hard 2 times at least a day. it felt so good to scratch while i was washing, and it helped tremendously. it took a few days to start to notice a difference, but it worked. now i'm 4 mos postpartum, and have developed hives? on my face, ears, neck, chest, back and arms... and still spreading. doc thinks it must be allergic reaction, but i think its hormone related. its horribly unbearable and to the point that i have horrible headaches and nausea/upset stomach i think from the stress of the misery of it all. any suggestions would be wonderful! (hope the soap suggestion helps with those dealing with PUPPPS!)

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  11. Thank you all so much for posting and your suggestions. I broke out in hives 6 weeks postpartum. This is my fifth child, I nursed all of the other ones and hadn't experienced these painful hives with them. Mine got so bad that my face, neck, eyes swelled, my neck darkened and I had to go to the emergency room where they shot me with an epi pen and administered benadryl and pepcid ac. Was prescribed 5 day course of prednisonr and hives, scarring, swelling healed completely...until I finished course of meds. I soon realized that I would flare up in hives shortly after let down. Taking Zrytec with tiny reprieve now, but still riddled with itchy hives. Is anyone nursing despite the hives? If so, what is your regime that brings relief and doesn't adversely affect the baby?
    We

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  12. I posted on her in September when I had my son, and had horrible hives. I tried everything, and was actually considering stopping breastfeeding. Finally my doctor put me on prednizone, and it cleared up. I continued to breatfeed the entire time without problems. The rash hasn't come back, I've talked to people that had to have several rounds of prednizone before it cleared up. Good luck!!

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  13. Just so ya'll know, my hives did go away within days of my milk drying up. When I spoke to my allergist about it he said that unless I go out and find an University doing research on this subject there was nothing he could do until I was pregnant/nursing again.
    There is a lot of talk about why don't the doctors know about or know what to do about it since so many of us suffer from this. I think it is because the way our medical system works with specialists, no one doctor feels its their problem and passes you on to another doctor. And since not one is talking about it, no one in the medical community is really aware of how much of a problem this is.
    Thanks for sharing all of your stories and solutions on here. I hope they are helping each other.

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  14. With my first son i experienced chronic hives at 8 months postpartum.. i nursed him until he was one, about a month after i stopped nursing the hives had stopped. I had my second child and at 9 months postpartum the hives have returned... i am at a lost. No medicine works and i get them so bad that i am covered head to toe. My eyes swell shut and lips swell huge! My doctor thinks that i have a hormonal imbalance from nursing and is suggesting that i stop? I need any thoughts/advice/stories i can get! please help! They dont just itch they also burn and leave bruises.

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  15. I have never had allergies or hives until I had my son in sept 2010. I broke out in hives about 6 weeks postpartum. I saw both allergists and dermotologists but no one could help me find the cause of the hives. I kept telling them it has to have something to do with giving birth or breastfeeding. They told me it was not possible. I finally got some relief from a round of Prednisone. I took it for about 3 weeks before my hives were under control. I had full body hives for 8 weeks total then they stopped but around the same time my milk supply was very low. I didn't see any connection until I finally got my supply back up around 7 mos postpartum and the hives are back! I am now going to stop breastfeeding because I just can't take the hives anymore. I will report back when my milk has dried up to see if the hives are gone too.

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  16. FIrst off, I want to thank you for starting this blog and for all of you who have been so open to sharing your postpartum hives stories. In some way, more or less I feel some relief to know that it is more common that I thought. I too, have a son and am nursing. I started getting the hives one month postpartum. It went away and just recently came back at six months postpartum. My hives happen in the middle of the night almost always during breastfeeding and then subside during the day. The hives look like mosquito bites clustered together and are usually under my bra, panty line back of my legs or anywhere where there is pressure on my skin. Since I prefer not to take any medicine right now as I'm nursing, Benadryl topical analgesic gel seems to give me temporary relief so I can sleep a little better through the night. I did see an allergist who was not much help and seemed quick to prescribe me allergy shots which I would have to go in for twice a week for the next 3-4 years. I declined that and still searching for a treatment. Going to try the tea and maybe the 1/2 children's zyrtec every other day. Thanks for the support. Will check in later and let you know my progress.

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  17. Hi i hope you can help. my daughter had started breaking out in hives a few months ago.
    she swells and gets nots on the bottom of her feet and her wrist.
    she swells so much that it gets hard for her to breath, the last time she said she had nots in her mouth.
    well she went to the emergency room several times.. all they could tell her was that she was stressed out..they would put her on steroids and it worked great. but she said 3 days later she will break out again..so far she has went t 3 differant DR..and no one knows what this is...do you have any idea what might be causeing this..some of the storys i have read on her is almost the same..
    if anyone knows what she can do PLEASE help...she is going crazy and she is worried..
    thank you.

    Loretta

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  18. Dear Loretta-
    There are so many things that cause hives. Did your daughter just have a baby? Hives can be caused by environmental, food, or hormonal factors. Has she seen an Allergist? An allergist can do testing that can help determine if it is either of the first 2 factors. And can help determine if she could benefit from Allergy treatment shots or what medications might help her. Does Benadryl help? I actually know a number of people who, because of where they live, suffer from Chronic hives, that is what your daughter has. Be positive. Hopefully the doctors can at least find a solution. Sadly the solution at this time will most likely be a daily medication that she will need to take. She may need to live on Benadryl, if it does anything for her, until they find a stronger solution. Good luck.

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  19. I posted here in May about my postpartum hives and wanted to report back after my milk had dried up. Well I am happy to say the hives are gone and I am no longer nursing. I hope this is the end of my hives until I have another baby so at least I can say for certain that is hormone related for me. While I had hives the best I found to manage them was taking Zyrtec, Benedryl and I used Sarna lotion. It is an anti-itch lotion with menthol to cool the skin.

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  20. I have 3 children and I experienced Chronic Urticaria (hives) postpartum after both my 2nd and 3rd babies. In both instances they appeared approx 6 weeks after giving birth and remained for the entire nursing period (approx 6 months each time) despite strong antihistamine treatment. I saw a Harley Street Dermatoligist and an Allergy specialist and was shocked that they were both perplexed and unable to determine a cause. It was a pharmacist that told me some time later that she thought a probable cause was a reaction to the hormone that causes lactation. This makes some sense. Having suffered from this debilitating condition twice now, it does deter me from having a fourth child as it is very likely that Chronic Uticaria would strike again when breastfeeding and I would not want to deprive my child from the essentials of nursing.

    Some scientific research is well overdue into this problem which seems far less medically known as hives during pregnancy.

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    Replies
    1. I agree that more research needs to be done on this. Why if this is such a common problem don't these doctors know about this? I've had 4 children and experienced chronic hives with the last two children AFTER I stopped nursing. Both of them. I had the hives for almost a year after the first then about 4-5 months after my last one. Now 6yrs later they started again in January and have had them for 3 months now. Always worse at night. I'm scratching my face as I'm typing this. My PCP can't figure out what it is and refered me to an allergist. I'm hoping they can shed some light on this. It's obviously not due to hormone changes in breast feeding this time so other hormone changes? Menopause? I am 41. Maybe we'll see.

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  21. I Had mives for 2 miserable months solid while breastfeeding I thought I was losing my mind.

    Milk thistle tea and dandelion root extract worked! I had tried zyrtec, benadryl, and even predizone. Not to mention bottles of calamine lotion, oatmeal baths and antihistamine sprays/gels what have you.

    The tea and extract relief were immediate.

    First the hives stopped itching. Then after a week or so they finally just faded. But the tea and extract stopped the itching thank god

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  22. I have suffered from hives (not rashes) since I was a child. For my my allergy is environmental. As I got older I noticed that my break outs were less. And the did come when I was exposed to severe temperature changes. Usually in the summer and winter months (going from extreme hot to cold and vice versa). I would only really get them on my body, not above the shoulders so I could hide them properly at work.

    I am currently 6 weeks pp and have been suffering extreme breakouts since March 25 2011. I woke in the middle of the night to my entire face, hands and feet completely swelled.. My brother rushed me to the hospital, as I had them in my mouth as well and had trouble breathing. I was 27 weeks at the time. I found that I suffered at night the worst, afternoon to evenings were mild and almost non existent. I had my daughter on June 19, 2011 and ere since that day, I break out at all hours. Big ones, I can't go out because I look like the creature from some horrible old horror movie or something! Benadryl doesn't work. Am considering that this could be hormonal (in addition to environmental). My obgyn refused to figure out what the cause was (her excuse was that she is not my family dr) and my family dr refused to touch me because I was pregnant. Useless people they are. I do hope that everyone does get better... I know that it won't for me.

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  23. I'm weaning down my 6 month old baby boy and I'm getting hives at night that look like mosquitobites and cloud shapes...itchy and stinging...pfff! - I freaked out at first, but thanks to this blog I feel calm and I know it will go away.
    Must be my hormones that are in imbalance. Anyway, I spoke to my midwive and she never heard about hives and breastfeeding!!! Unbelieveable!
    homeopathic pellets apis have made my hives diasappear in minutes. Nettle tea does wonders too.

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  24. Your blog has just made me realise that I was most likely suffering from hives after the birth of my first daughter. It was horrible and back in 2003 nobody seemed to be able to help me with it. I spent heaps of money on creams etc. to help it. It was really bad and being summer as well I found the heat made it worse. I would be very interested to know if oxyhives could help with any of you guys. I certainly wish that I had heard of this product in 2003 as many people are getting great results from this natural product.

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  25. I got what I assume to be PUPPS about 4 weeks before the end of my pregnancy. It drove me mad with the itching. It started on my torso (stretch marks) and spread - I think - due to me itching them. Eventually it was on my legs, arms, torso, neck, around my eyes and back. I tried so hard not to itch, it was the worst ever. They didn't go away after birth and continued badly for months after. I had to wean my son due to a different issue and that's when the hives went away and didn't come back. (BTW this was from my second son, I didn't get this at all with my first).

    It's crazy that there's no research on this. It pretty obvious from various sites online that this rash is more common post 40 weeks than what is formally written about it. How can there not be a unified approach to treating this thing that works in with breastfeeding? If the general non-pregnant population ever experienced this itch from hell, you could guarantee there's be a cure quick smart.

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  26. My son is two weeks old and I've been experiencing rashes/hives for a week now. He is my second son, I had no problems with the first. Benadryl has no effect and the 7-day tapered course of Prednisone they have me on is having minimal effects as well. The rash seems to be affecting areas of my body where the skin experienced trauma. It started on my belly and breasts around the stretch marks, I have a rash on a rectangular portion of my arm where tape held my IV in place (during my hospital stay), and my feet and legs have typical round hives.

    My OB prescribed Prednisone, being baffled at this development. She said she sees a similar case about every two years, but that she doesn't know what causes it. Next stop, my family doctor. Hoping with what I've learned here we can figure this out and I don't have to stop breastfeeding my little one.

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  27. Much like other women, I am so grateful for this blog. I have had hives for 3 months and it has progressed to swelling of my hands, feet, ankles, and face. I am in such pain some days I cannot walk. I have been to 6 Dr. and have been put on 8 antihistamines, 2 courses of steroids and as of now am being treated for Candida ( a yeast infection in the belly) I have stopped eating gluten, sugars, and all cars, because these foods are said to make yeast infections worse) Needless to say every day I wake up with a swollen face and hives. I have just called my Dr. in regards to this blog and they are going to order labs to make sure, I am hopeful this is what I have, however, there is a difference in my story; I developed hives 6 months after I had my son ( the week I stopped nursing/pumping) Could that still be the same thing? I too will try the tea, thank you.

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  28. I posted on this blog last year when I was experiencing my hives. I was just reading everyones post's and am so greatful to find out what has worked for everyone else. I am no expecting again and I am wondering if anyone has been lucky enough to escape it with their second child?

    I was also wondering if it mainly happens with boys? I know I had boy, but I'm wondering if its as common with baby girls?

    Thanks

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    1. thanks so much to all of you for sharing your stories and experiences. I don't think it has to do with just baby boys. Since I know women who it happened with their daughter's birth. My girls are now 6 months and my hives haven't made an appearance in 3 months. Though some days my sink is so itchy I am constantly looking for hives to show. Its now as bad this time around with my 2nd birth. Maybe it does have something to do with that they are girls or maybe my body is acting a little different for other reasons.
      Good luck I hope all of you out there can find some relief.

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    2. I had PUPPS during my first pregnancy during weeks 24 through 37 and it was confirmed through a biopsy. Now after the delivery of my daughter I have begun to get hives beginning at week 7. Also, my PuPPs went away at week 4 post partum but have since returned in week 7. I am breastfeeding as well and haven't taken anything until today b/c it's getting really bad. I took allegra (180 mg) through the suggestion of my dermatologist and okayed by my daughter's pediatrician. The pill worked, but only for 24 hours. Now the hives are back and i'm not sure what route to continue. Suffer through the itching or just take the pills. Luckily after taking the pill once, i haven't seen a reduction in my supply. Anyone know of other side effects?

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  29. My son is 8m old and I have been suffering from these breakouts and servers itching. I can't even use my different perfumes. I have been using the neosporin Daily moisturizer and body wash plus taking allergy mess every morning just to keep the itching and rashes at bay. Know one can tell me whats going on I just really hope it ends soon I'm in the process of weaning trying to give him to at least nine months.

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  30. I had my daughter 9 months ago.. still have it on my lower belly and my ears of all places... it went away every where else... NOTHING KEEPS THE ITCHING AWAY.... the dermatologists don't know what to do and i will be damned if i let them do yet another bi opsy... any ideas... i'm allergic to most allergy meds too... go figure

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  31. I also have postpartum rash/hives. It seems to take place after I take any medication. This includes antihistamines and steroids. The allergist thinks this will resolve itself. I sure hope so. I will be going to another allergist at the Iniversity of Colorad in Denver. I hope for answers, but I doubt I will get any:(

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  32. Hi there,

    I just came home from an allergist, who told me I have chronic urticaria. What he didn't tell me was how common this is among nursing mothers! I had a horrible lip swell three times as well as the hives. Glad to know I'm not alone.

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  33. I started experiencing hives 6 weeks after having my baby girl. The first few weeks I only had a few red itchy bumps on my feet and arms and I thought I was getting bitten by mosquitos. Even though I live in Florida I never saw any mosquitos in the house. I noticed the bumps started appearing on my back as well and I thought I was being bitten by mites. I did extensive research online and was convinced I had some type of allergic reaction to dust mites, or actually had rat mites on my skin! But no other member of the household was getting "bitten". Over the weekend my mom told me I was experiencing a histamine release and it looked more like hives than any type of bug bite and that this was clearly an allergic reaction. Last night was absolutely horrible because the hives spread almost all over my legs, arms, shoulders, back, abdomen, and chest. Nothing on the face but the upper part of my right ear got red, swollen, and very itchy. It felt so horrible to have my skin feel so red, hot, dry, and itchy! It suddenly dawned on me this morning that it might be pregnancy related...and sure enough after googling the subject I came across this site as well as others. I took one 25mg gel cap of Benadryl, slathered on cortisone 10 maximum strength and have had some relief in the last hour. Thank you Arizona Girl for starting this site and thank you to all the women who took the time to write about their experience with hives. I'm so uncomfortable and dismayed that I have to go through this now but at the same time relieved to know I am not alone!

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  34. Oh goodness I went through this!!! I wanted to die!! I broke out in hives when I was 37 weeks pregnant and it didn't go away until I was 6 weeks postpartum! It was hell. It took two packs of prednizone for it to go away, but I wouldn wish this on no one! I still have a couple scars from it... :(

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  35. I developed postpartum rash/hives about a week after I have my baby girl. It started out from my waist but it's spreads to my legs, arms, breast, butt, back, etc... (basically everywhere besides my face...I guess I should be thankful for that!). At first I thought I have flees in my house because they look like small bug bites. However, after cleaning my house several times and doing dozens of laundry, I'm convinced that it's related to my hormones. I'm a full time nursing mom so I do believe that nursing played a role in this. I went to my OBGYN and dermatologist and they both said that it's because of the changing hormones in my body. They didn't really help much besides prescribing some benadryl and triamcinolone cream. I don't think the benadryl helps at all and the triamcinolone cream only relieves the itchiness temporary. So far it's been 4 weeks and still haven't cleared up yet. I am scare to even look at my body in the mirror!

    From reading this blog, it seems like some people had success with the milk thistle tea and dandelion root capsules. Coming from a Asian background, I was told that this two herbs help release the toxins in your body. I also did alot of research online to make sure this two herbs are safe for nursing. I just went to GNC today and bought the capsules. It stated on the bottle to consult your physician first prior to using this product when you are pregnant/nursing. As soon as my physician give me the green light to take this herbal supplements, I will give them a shot and hopefully it will help. I'll post my results later. :)

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  36. I developed hives about 3 weeks post partum! I've never had them before in my life. Even my eyes swelled. The rash started on my breasts then spread to my neck, hands (eczema like), arms and ears. Again the doctors said it isn't related to breast feeding. I never established a full milk supply, however I pumped the milk and gave my boy what I could get. I directly felt that it's hormone related. I took Xyzal and used Efficort cream for the rash. The swelling on my eyes was gone, however the rash kept coming and going until I totally stopped pumping about a month and a half postpartum! Did anyone have PP hives without breast feeding at all??? We love to know if it's always related to it.
    I'm gonna bring this up next time I visit my dermatologist and my OBGYN! I'm glad I found this blog!!

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    Replies
    1. My baby is now 4 months old. I have had skin rash after she was 1 month old. I stopped pumping milk when she was 2 months old.
      I have similar situation like yours. Would you mind sharing how you tacked the problem? Thanks :)

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  37. Great question...has anyone developed PP hives without breastfeeding? It seems many moms have noticed hives stop after breastfeeding stops. I delivered a baby girl vaginally (with epidural) on July 19th, 2012. I was ripened and induced during my 40th week with two different medications due to having developed preeclampsia three days prior to my induction. Because of the preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in urine identified this) I was put on magnesium (muscle relaxer to prevent seizures) just before birthing and had to remain on it for 24 hours after. Went home doing very well, just continuing prenatal vitamins with calcium supplement and on a high blood pressure medication prescribed at the hospital. 6 days after birth, July 25, I started feeling itchy on my chest and breast area by midday. I had just two spots of eczema on my shoulder and breast 2 days before giving birth, so I thought this could be more of it. By the evening I had spiked a fever of 101.9 and went to the ER. The next morning I was at the OBGYN to follow up and they think I have a breast infection, so I started antibiotics and probiotics to help balance things out. The OB doesn't think this skin irritation is related to the infection. After reading more blogs and articles I think I have eczema and/or hives. Hydrocortizone and Vaseline didn't help. Initially, my only relief was sleeping with ice packs. I just tried a steroid cream and got immediate relief and some clearing of the eczema, but not the hives yet. I only applied it once and I'm hesitant to do so because I'm breastfeeding...but its helped considerably. I do have a dairy sensitivity which I discovered before being pregnant...I get itchy and or acne breakouts when eating dairy, but never hives/rash. I'm going to the naturopathic doctor soon to see if I can get to the root of this...is it hormones, food allergy, or environment. There are so many possible factors! Thanks for all the posts. I might try the needle tea, tar soap, and dandelion root.

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  38. My hives started AFTER I stopped breastfeeding- although I did have very, very itchy legs right after giving birth. I am convinced it is caused by hormones and our immune systems not really returning to normal after pregnancy. The hives started on the palms of my hands and got progressively worse as the months went by, they would spread to my arms and all pressure point areas (waist line, under my bra, etc.). i had some pretty gnarly eye swelling at times as well. It has been over a year for me now and have taken zyrtec and allegra two times a day and hydroxyzine as needed for severe itchiness. I tried Singulair, didn't work. I tried hydroxycholoquine, didn't work. Now, my allergist has me on Cyclosporine. This drug is what is given to transplant patients to lower their immune system so their bodies do not reject the new organ. For Chronic hives the dose is SIGNIFICANTLY lower, but still lowers the immune system just enough to help keep the allergic reaction and hives from happening. I have been on it for a few months and it has helped, but hasn't resolved them completely. I still get them daily but not nearly as bad. I can increase the strength one more time, but will max out at what my body can tolerate. I am really hoping it works, and keeps them gone. My only concern is that my husband and I want another baby soon, and I am certain I can't be on these meds during pregnancy. They are pretty toxic- my liver and kidneys are monitored with monthly blood tests while on this medication.

    I am beyond frustrated with these hives- I used to be very active, and was in the middle of training for a half marathon when the hives started. Any cardio activity brings the hives on worse, unbelievable itchiness and redness. I had been gaining weight because of not being able to exercise as I used to, but now that I am on the cyclosporine I am able to resume some activity. But I know I can't be on these medications forever. And I really worry that the hives will not go away when I go off the meds, or when I become pregnant with our second child since I won't be able to take any medications that will give any relief. Today is the first time in over a year since having the hives that I have just broken down. I am just so tired of worrying about it, being on medications, not being able to be active, and just tired of ITCHING!

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  39. Hi everyone,
    I developed hives/welts everywhere when i was 6 months post partum (after my 1st child) The hives migrated all over my body daily. One day my lips would swell, then my eyelids, then my chest, stomach, legs and so on. I had this for 9 whole months :( No doctors or dermatologists could give me a reason for the hives. I don't think my case was related to breast feeding as my milk supply dried up 3 months after birth :(...................i have given birth to our 2nd child at the begining of this year, my milk supply yet again dried up around end February and in July i thought "phew, no sign of hives like last time!" (as it was around 6 months when the hives struck!), but here i am, currently itching and scratching, the hives are back! nearly 8 months post partum :( i'm sooooooo miserable just thinking that i will probably have them until April 2013!!!. I have 2 beautiful little girls, both delivered by C-section. So i can grin and bare (and scratch) until next year i suppose :/ x

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  40. Oh I am so glad i'm not alone. I was diagnosed with puppp rash at 37 weeks pregnant and told it would clear up after my son was born. Well no such luck, after his birth the rash spread from my abdomen to my arms and legs, feet, hands, back and bum. It turned into blisters all over my upper thighs, and whenever i broke down and scratched anywhere big angry hives would appear all over that would weep clear fluid. I was miserable. I really missed a lot of joy surrounding my new baby because of it. Finally when he was 2 weeks old it started to look like it was clearing. I was afraid to say it out loud in case i jinxed it. But it cleared. My skin was still really dry and itchy though, and would flake off in big patches. Then, one week later.. A few little spots appear on my belly. No big deal right? Wrong. It spread again to my upper thighs, a big angry painful burning rash, and is now on my calves too. When scratched it turns into one big hive all over my legs. Now I have spots coming out on my arms again. I am in misery. I have tried everything on the internet, pine tar soap, aloe vera, calamine, ice, oatmeal, creams, lotions, etc. I am breastfeeding and devastated I may have to give up. I'm going to call my OB today and beg him to give me Predinisone.. I know it's not wonderful to take while breastfeeding but I dont know what else to do. The thought that I may have this for months is enough to put me over the edge. Why is their no research done on this condition????

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  41. I nursed my newborn son for 5 weeks & my skin was itchy but no hives. I started getting hives a month later & my legs are covered in itchy hives & scabs. It gets worse at night. I have been going nuts searching for fleas, bed bugs, Mosquitos & I thought I had rat mite bites! Nobody else has a single bite & we co-sleep (5 people). I had itching before pregnancy that seemed to be from liver congestion. I had gall bladder issues right after delivery & dandelion made it much worse (I took it for swelling). I had alot of swelling & high Bp a week pp & took a diuretic. My legs are covered & I have one patch on my left arm & I'm starting to get them on my chest. I am very sensitive to the effects of hormones. I feel like this might be a liver issue- hormones are broken down in the liver so maybe it is overwhelmed during & after pregnancy (?). Taking any meds (antidepressant) that go through liver metabolism seems to make it worse. I don't know what to do, but I am so happy I found this blog! I never had issues with my 2 girls. I can't wait til my body gets rid of whatever or builds up whatever or establishes some type of balance to put me out of my misery :(

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  42. I delivered my first son 5 years ago with no problems. In these past 5 years I occasionally have hives around pressure areas such as underwear lines. This year I gave birth to a preemie born at 27 weeks old. 4 months after his delivery I started to develop hives all over my body, even in my scalp. I've met with an allergist and he suspects I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis even though my T3, T4 and TSH levels are normal. He also took some of my blood samples for further testing. Hopefully he'll have some results by the end of the week. After doing some research myself it looks like Lupus could also be a possibility. Unfortunately since my son was born so early he really needs my breast milk so I am resisting any type of long term treatment or any treatment that could reduce my milk supply. All the research that I've done so far thoroughly scared and depressed me. But this blog gives me hope that it's just a breastfeeding related issue.

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  43. I have 3 children and experienced post-partum hives after the birth of my 2nd and 3rd babies (a girl and then a boy so no link with sex of baby). Both times the hives started at around 6 weeks after the birth and lasted approximately 6 months - coinciding with breastfeeding, which I did exclusively from birth.

    I saw a Harley Street Dermatologist, several doctors and spoke with pharmacists but no-one could give me a definitive reason or explanation and more importantly - no cure! I took prescriptive antihistamines which are stronger than over the counter products but although they helped ease the itching slightly they did little to keep the hives at bay. I have heard all sorts of suggestions - possibly an allergy to the hormone that produces lactation, an allergic reaction to loss of progesterone, an auto-immune reaction cause by hormone changes after birth, a reaction to the stress of childbirth - and so on. There is obviously a possibility that all of these are contributing factors but why in this day and age, is there no effective treatment?!!!

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  44. I usually get hives at every weather change - in and out of winter. Usually resolved with antihistamines but this time the difference was pregnancy. Started getting itchy towards the end of pregnancy but got worse after delivery. Thought it was dustmites, allergies as it persisted unlike previous years. Scratched till I bled all over, not happy with scars :(

    Skin is super sensitive now, the wrong pressure will trigger a domino effect - im so tired of having to deal with the itch!

    What seems to help with the itch is pine tar soaps (dad suggested as it worked for him, his isnt as bad as mine) - it is temporary but at least it is not medicine i have to take (last person on earth to take tablets if i could help it).

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  45. Hi again

    Thought i'd share this since it worked really well with me :)

    i mentioned the ine tar soap n it did take away some misery although didnt really solve the hives. i got so fed up dealing with the itch (n it becomes more intense when i get upset) n meds just make me groggy its annoying!

    decided to hv a go with chinese medicine, long story short i had acupuncture because the therapist said i couldnt hv the herbs since im breastfeeding. apparently its quite ommon for them to see this n number of treatment depends on the person's body. i went away after the seson with a list of food to avoid (i can hv them but it'll not help with the itch she says) so ive been good and i'm not scratching anywhere NEAR where i was before! its been 3 days - i could sleep better, i feel better, some itch here n there but it is mild enough to forget about those if i distract myself with a task

    biggest change so far was i wasnt able to put any lotion on my skin before that because it just felt like burns and got angrier n super itchy so my skin got really dry n makes the itch worse *neverending cycle* i tried putting a drop of lotion at first..nohing happened so i was delighted to moisturise my skin :)

    hopefully that has helped someone out there!

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  46. I suffered from Puppp 3 weeks before I had my daughter. My OB even offered to induce me, because it was so bad. I had it everywhere from my toes to the back of my neck. With the crazy Puppp itch that nothing would help except for pine tar soap and ice packs to provide some relief for a few minutes. After delivery it Went away for a week, but then came back for another 5 weeks! Slightly different itch, but worse since I couldn't see an end. But eventually that too subsided. Now 8 months pp and I've developed another rash, not as severe as Puppp, but all over my body again. It's seemed to happen just after I've started weaning and got my p (TMI, I know). Since nothing is as bad as Puppp, I think I can bear this, but over the last 2 weeks it's getting worse. Ie spreading. I think that it is hormonal. You would think that with this suffering, someone would have done some research on this, or is it just because it only happens to women and is not normally permanent? To anyone reading this and is suffering from hives, rash and intense itching, you are not alone. Be strong and have hope that it will eventually pass.

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  47. Hi everyone-
    I am so glad I found this blog! I think I have pupps. It started two weeks ago and at 4 months postpartum for my first pregnancy. I was thinking it was poison oak, but it isn't going away, is concentrated on my breasts and I just keep getting more rash! In the mornings my eyelids are pretty swollen as well. I have rash along my waistband line. I am excited to get acupuncture this week. I have already been taking dandelion root tincture but will up my dosage. I also know that warm lemon water in the morning is great for supporting the liver, so I will try that as well. I will let you all know how it goes.

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  48. Hi Everyone,

    I first found this site when I had my son in August 2010, I got diagnosed with what we believed was PUPPS but is the same symptoms everyone else is describing. The first time after several creams etc I read on here to try prednisone. I did and it worked. It was only 5-7 days I was on it. I thought when I had my daughter in September 2012 that I escaped it...not so lucky about 5 weeks after birth the hives started. This time I asked my doctor for prednisone immediately, and once again it worked. I hope this helps, it's an awful itchy rash. My husband used to tell me at night to stop scratching lol

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  49. Oh ladies, I'm so happy for all your ideas! My hives started on day 5, post partum and kept getting worse. I had them in my arms, then stomach, then back. I called my acupuncturist ( who helped us get pregnant) and he fixed it in one appointment!! he treated me for the hives, and left 2 small points in my ears ( under a special tiny bandaid) that I massage on my own. He also have me a natural supplement, Quercetin ( capsule which he said you can get at a health food store), which I take 2/ day. I t is safe nursing safe ( no effect on milk supply) but not recommended for pregnant w omen to use. It took about 36 hours to go totally down. I was also using some hydrocortisone to help with itching. Let's hope it stays away!!!

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  50. An update from my previous comment. All hives are completely gone. It was fixed in 1 trip to the acupuncturist, and the Quercetin supplement. It has now been 5 weeks and all is great!!!

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  51. Wow! I will give acupuncture a try. I am breastfeeding and cant take meds. I have brown skin and I am so depressed that I may be left with horrible scars from pupps.

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  52. I have struggled with terrible hives since my son was 3 months old - to the point of ending up in the ER. He is now almost 9 months and my hives have still not gone away. I went to a homeopath who, after some testing, told me I have an autoimmune disease and to cut out gluten. I cut it out of my diet and and was hive-free for a couple weeks. Then, the hives came back in full force. I take 1 Zyrtec each day and that definitely helps. I had a really bad attack last night (after taking a Benedryl because I was out of Zyrtec) and woke up to my lips being swollen as well as hives all over my body - legs, arms, stomach, back. In the back of my mind I keep thinking it has something to do with thyroid and other postpartum hormones, but am so sad about stopping BF-ing. Has anyone stopped BF and realized that was the cause?

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    1. I also got hives after my 4th baby. The first three were natural and no pain meds at all. The fourth was c-section, meds. I stopped breastfeeding as I got a tick bite and had to take meds. Then the hives started to slowly diminish. I think breastfeeding, hormones is seriously the cause. When I drink coffee or caffeine it seems to also bother some. I think it is obvious to us all that there is a strong correlation between c-section/delievry, meds/hormones and breastfeeding and the effects of hives. I am quickly getting better after breastfeeding stopped and it started when my baby was 2 months old and now getting better and she is turning 6 months.
      Hope this helps
      Delilah

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    2. Hi Ladies, I am a mom of three, two girls now ages 12 and 6 both nursed for 2 years and I have a son who is 4 years and 3 months who was still breast feeding up until about 5 days ago. I know, I know...but he's my last. ;0) We said when we were both ready and we were ready. In any event I strongly believe that there is a correlation in weaning/breastfeeding and hives. I have had hives for about 8 days now and I've been taking benadryll which works but I'm a zombie all day. Will try the 1/2 childrens zyrtec. Through all three pregnacies about 6 months in I would have outbreaks of hives, which seemed to be either the prenatal vitamins I was taking or perhaps a shift in hormones. I'm hoping that as my milk supply completely dries the hives will go away. It seemed to be getting better and then I spoke too soon. I tried not taking benadryll all day today and sure enough around 8pm which is my witching hour, my elbows started to itch and then there they were. The first couple of days I almost used my sons epi pen because they were all over my body and my lip started to swell and I waited until the benadryl started working which finally did. There has got to be a relation to the shift in our bodies during the weaning process. Trust your bodies and your intuition. Doctors these days have too many forms to fill out to be pioneers. What makes sense to us seems to baffle them and they look at you like you have three heads. I'm hoping that as I completely dry up they will go away completely. This did not happen with my daughters however so there may be something said about having boys and nursing. I haven't gone to the doctor yet as I am going to ride this out a little longer before they tell me to take any steroids or anything. My gut tells me that my body is in a shift and hopefully as I completely dry things will return as they should. If it doesn't I have a OBGYN appointment in NOV and will ask for a blood test to see what my levels are. Perhaps a low progesterone level? Good luck all and remember underneath those hot itchy bumps we are all beautiful Moms! ~Peace

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    3. I just wanted to add that the hives actually started last Friday which was the first day of my period. Coincidence? I don't think so. I'm going to research a little bit about hormone levels at time of menstruation and see if it's a progesterone shift or not, perhaps the two coinciding will point to the hormone in question. I think seeing as though I'm so far away from pregnancy that it's got to be something that's not necessarily "birthing" hormone related but most certainly "nursing" specific.

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  53. By the way, Jessica from October 9, my autoimmune disease was Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as well. Have you stopped breastfeeding? Did the hives go away?

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  54. I too, have experienced this. I am currently at what I hope is the end of an outbreak of about 10 quarter-sized hives. I just weaned my baby at 19 months. I broke out about 5 days after her last nurse, and I've had the hives for 3 days and they are already fading. Thinking back, I'm pretty sure I had an outbreak every time I dropped a feed. What has helped me is cutting out sugar and alcohol, and staying hydrated and cool. Putting ice on the hives makes the itch go away temporarily. I've also found that the homeopathic remedy apis works well. Good luck, ladies!

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  55. I'm another case where the hives didn't develop until 8 months postpartum. They only appear after I nurse (which I've been doing exclusively since my son was born) and always in different spots on my arms, back, stomach, and legs. My lips have also swollen up twice but not to the extent that I had difficulty breathing, just looked a little funny. I have only had hives one other time in my life, nearly 15 years ago, and it was definitely stress related. Doctors definitely don't seem to know how to help or what is causing this which is very frustrating. Thanks for this site - it makes me feel at least half way normal. I'm considering weaning my son as he's 9 months now and I don't want him to be getting a dose of benadryl every day through my milk. Hopefully that will get rid of these hives - I'll let you all know how it goes.

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  56. Yay for blogs!!
    Thanks Arizonagirl for starting this so none of us think we are alone. In wondering if its more common in the desert states or summer time? I didn't get them with my first, a boy but with my second baby a girl, 3 months post pardum. Her birth was all natural, no drugs. So I'm thinking definitely hormonal. My midwife didn't know why or offer suggestions. I keep thinking they'll go away and have chaged up my diet etc. they happen more when I'm hot and my daughter is close on my skin. After holding her on my stomach. They started there and inside of my arms. Then over the last few months have gotten worse and started in my back and now upper legs.
    I'll try the teas. Anyone in AZ use an acupuncturist for it?
    I'm hoping as the summer ends and it cools down ill find more relief. Everyone else get their outbreak for about an hour? Mine also are more in the afternoon and evening.
    Thanks again for starting this and sharing all!

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  57. I am 35, Asian, and lives in the northeast. I gave birth to my son 9 months ago vaginally and without drugs in December. This is my first child and he was diagnosed with atopic eczema when he was two months old, which is food allergies + super dry skin. No one in the family has eczema or food allergies. I started getting itchy skin two weeks pp, but without signs of allergic reactions. I would scratch till I rash. The affected areas were hands and legs only. Doc just said I had dry skin & told me to moisturize... The weird itchiness lasted for two months and went away on its own. I did nothing for it the time I had it and it seemed to only come at night. I breastfed for 7 months but also with one formula feed daily to give myself a little break. Two weeks after I weaned in June, I had my first period. In July, my period came and went just fine, but my milk was not completely dried yet. In August, I had my first hives attack. I woke up with a terrible itch at 3am on the back of my knees and butt. I didn't bother to get up and check, I just thought they were bug bites and tried to scratch till I could fall back asleep. Next day, I cleaned the sheets, comforter & pjs and checked on the bites but could not find any bite marks. The itch came back again in the same place on the following night but I was too lazy to get up and check. My baby just so happened to be in an episode of night terror so I finally turned on the lights and check out the bites. To my horror, I was having a massive, nasty hives attack and didn't even know it! I was only itching in the same places - back of my knees and butt, but I found hives all over the back of both legs from waist down and some on front side as well, also the inside of my upper arms under the armpit area. I applied 2.5% hydrocortizone from my son's supply for eczema to ease the itch and immediately took 2 Benadryl pills. I went back to sleep and in the AM when I woke up, again, there were no traces of the hives. The hives only attacked at night for 4 nights in August. I already had a theory that it was probably hormone-related. I ruled out food allergies because I am a boring person, I eat the same foods all the time so the pattern doesn't support. I told myself to expect it to happen again in September a few days before my period arrives and here I am, 2 days away from my expected cycle, and am having the hives attack for 3 nights straight. I now take Benadryl before I go to bed so that I can stay asleep when the hives come in and I am fine again when the morning comes. Sometimes the hives come earlier at about 9PM. I don't like it but there really isn't much that can be done. I read that hives have a tendency to develop at night because our bodies are relaxed as compared to the day when we can be having allergic reactions on the skin and not know it because our bodies fight them better during the day. For now, Benadryl is my remedy until my hormones are truly back to normal....???? I find that the severity of the attack is related to my temperature as coincidentally my hives were much more serious when I was stressed out about something or working on something that required more physical strength. I agree that doctors are clueless on this subject due to lack of studies and attention. All I can hope is that this is not a permanent thing.... I do have baby #2 on my mind.

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  58. Ugh... I started to itch in the hospital right after I gave birth and I thought it was the pain meds. 7 weeks later, I have scaly hands with a rash all over them and my palms itch like crazy at night and little bumps appear on them then go away in the morning. My shins and elbows and armpits have the same rash and just the other day huge red marks appeared under my breasts. I have an appt Monday at the dermatologist and have been to my GP and my OB and have been on prednisone 3 times now. I take benadryl, zyrtec, and use oatmeal baths and soaps, and hydrocortozone. I have never had skin problems in the past and am broken down and at my wits end. It itches terribly. I just stopped BF and my milk is drying up now so we will see if that helps at all. Any advice would be so much appreciated.

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  59. My son is 11 months old and that's when I broke out in hives. I wondered if it had anything to do with weaning him? BUT I THINK I FIGURED OUT THE CAUSE - I really hope this helps others on this blog. NAILPOLISH. A friend of mine said her friend had the same itchy rash and her allergist finally deduced it was from nail polish. Apparently after having a baby (or perhaps even when pregnant) our systems are compromised and you can become allergic to things you weren't before. I took off the nailpolish on my hands and the rash was still there. But then I realized I still had polish on my toes. Took that off and within a day my rash and itching has diminished by 80%. I really hope this may help some of you.

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  60. I was diagnosed with PUPPP rash when I was 14 weeks pregnant. Talk about horrible and to know that I had to deal with this pretty much through my entire pregnancy was terrible, I'm talking about 26 weeks her, that is 6 months. The rash started on my stomach and quickly spread all over my body except my face. It was so bad that I couldn't stand to have on cloths, everything irritated my skin, not the mention the itching and being covered in sores. Luckily it was through the winter and I could wear long sleeves.

    I am now 3 1/2 months postpartum and still have the rash. It is not nearly to the extent it was when I was pregnant but it is still bad and annoying. I have been to doctors. I have had 3 rounds of prednisone and the rash always comes back before I even finish the meds. On top of the rash, I am not breaking out in hives as well. I am about to my wits end and have no advise to offer as I have found nothing that works for me. I am almost 10 months with this. Even where it has cleared up I have large purple and red spots and my skin looks horrible.

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  61. So glad I found this blog, I have had horrible hives since I started weaning my baby boy at 5 months hes now almost 7 months and the hives arent getting better. My milk hasn't totally dried up though as I noticed after a shower yesterday though he has been off breastmilk for about three weeks now. Has anyone experience d this, as I am really hoping the hives disappear when my milk totally dries up, so far I have been on cetririzine and fexofenadine but they dont do anything.. gosh am itching so much its killing me.

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  62. Hello, I'm 6 weeks pp and on my second round of prednisone for hives all over. Mostly on my arms and chest. I woke up yesterday with a swollen eye. I feel like my body is resisting the Benadryl now. I'm going to bring dandelion root and nettle ea to my allergist to see if I'm allergic to them since I have a little pollen allergies. Just itchy eyes and runny nose etc... I just don't know what to do. I love nursing so much but I hate giving my daughter drugs and I want this to go away. I'm afraid it won't go away and I stopped nursing for nothing. This is my last child since my pregnancy was so difficult and I feel like I'm not going to bond with her as much as my son since he nursed until 15 months. Also breastfeeding is so easy and I don't have to wake up to make bottles. I pray this isn't a permanent thing. I can't take drugs for years. My body can't take it.

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  63. Azgirl- do you have any updates with your hives?

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    1. This time around I rarely get hives, I haven't been taking any meds or treating it at all. I keep telling myself I should because I itch constantly but most of the time there are no visible hives.

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  64. I started breaking out in hives 4 1/2 months postpartum. It started on my chest, and within a few days was covering my body. I have been to so many dermatologist appointments and have tried several creams, claritin, zyrtec, alleges, benedryl and none of it helps. My son was sick and nursing like crazy the week before this all started. I later had some issues with low milk supply and started taking fenugreek per the advice of my LC. A week after taking it, the hives became insanely worse. Today I started prednisone and decided to dry up. He is 7 months now but this makes me so sad that we have to quit before a year. I will post an update in a few weeks and just praying this will be the end of the hives!

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  65. I'm not too sure if anyone can relate to my story. It seems a little different than anything I am reading on here. Almost immediately after my daughter was born I started experiencing raised wheals all over my body. Different from hives as in they usually are just big singular isolated wheals instead of a bunch of tiny hives (anywhere from the width of a dime to the width of a DVD. Some of them itch like crazy but others are just extremely swollen. They seem to happen most in my arms and legs but I have had my lips,eyes and bottoms of my feet swell up as well. I have never had an allergy to ANYTHING in my life and like I said it started almost immediately after having my daughter. I am only 22, my doctor wants to send me to an allergist but based on my location I would need to drive 3 hours out of town to see them and cant get in for 3 months minimum. I just dont know if its worth it since I don't believe it to be an allergy since I had none before my daughter was born. I feel like sometimes they rise where pressure is applied on my body. I am exclusively breastfeeding. I'm way too stubborn to quit and just want whats best for my daughter so am going to keep trekking.I am not expecting someone to have a cure, just after all the extensive researching on the internet I guess im just hoping for someone to say "i had the same problem and it went away after breastfeeding!!!" . just knowing there is some end in sight would make this so much more tolerable. I really dont want this to be a forever thing :(

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  66. Update from my Sep 18 post: It's taken a while to update becuase I didn't completely stop nursing in September. I decided I first wanted to try greatly reducing my nursing sessions in a day, going from about 6 to 1 or 2. I continued to take a low dose of prednisone and was clear from hives. I made sure to take it in the morning right afer my son nursed. After a few weeks of this, I decided to stop the prednisone. The day after I stopped, the hives were back - head to toe. I decided on that day that I had to stop nursing 100%. My derm put me back on prednisone for another 2 weeks and at that time. This time when I stopped the prednisone, my hives didn't come back like they did before. I am still having outbreaks as of today (5 weeks after stopping nursing completely, 2 weeks after stopping all prednisone), but now at least it's tolerable. I'm using Zyrtec daily and also a topical steriod cream to control it. Having an allergy patch test done next week to see if it's something unrelated. I have to imagine it IS related to breastfeeding though just from everything I've gone through. I'll provide an update with any changes.

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  67. Article contains so many fruitful information which will be liked by the readers as in my opinion this is the best article in this category.

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  68. Hi ladies,

    I have had chronic hives for 3 months now. I haven't been to the doctor but spoke to my primary and the pediatrician who both recommended I take benedryl. After reading every single post, I am grateful that I have a mild case compared to what some of you have posted. My hIves started on October 20th. It was a bad head to toe outbreak. It also ocurred during a time when I was emotionallying drained from my baby blues and other family factors going on in my life. Although the blues and major stress factors are gone, I have hives everyday of my happy life! They start around 3pm on my breasts and if I do not take a benedryl they will continue around my abdomin, the back of my thighs, around my face (more swollen then raised on my face). I have gotten one on the bottom of my foot and on my eye once as well, but both were before I started the benedryl. I have been able to take one 25mg of benedryl a day and have been doing so for a month. I am hopeful that when I do stop breastfeeding the hives will go away.
    I also just found out (3 days ago) that I am pregnant. And that's what brought me to this site. I have always believed my hives to be hormonal and because I had it controlled I hoped that once I became "balanced" they would go away. Now I am afraid of the emotional rollercoaster of hormones again. I am hoping to try some of the natural remedies posted on here as long as I get all doctors to approve. I will keep posting as I get updates in case anyone is in the same position as me: breastfeeding, pregnant, and hives! Please reply if you have any recommendations or suggestions! Thanks and it looks like milk supply drying up is the best remedy.

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  69. This site is great! I actually started getting an unbearably itchy rash after I weaned my third son at about 14 months. For me it was clearly correlated to the weaning, but allergist, dermatologist, etc. didn't seem to think so.

    It started in my stretch marks and was symmetrical on both sides of the body - hips, elbows, ribs, etc. Drove me absolutely insane as nothing helped. I also probably made it worse as I tried to cut out perfumes/fragrances, etc. thinking it might be those things and switched to baking soda rinses for shampoo and baking soda baths to help with the itching. I didn't know baking soda has a high nickel content, and I do get a topical rash from nickel buttons, etc.

    After two months of the rash and obsessive web searches and going to the dermatologist and biopsies that showed nothing a nurse suggested cutting gluten out of my diet.

    That combined with a topical steroid cream that I became diligent about applying cleared things up remarkably soon. Now, if I accidentally eat gluten, the rash starts up again in the same spots. Anyway, just another idea to try ladies! I'm pregnant again and nervous that this might crop up again postpartum but hopefully not!

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  71. Came across this site and i have been dealing with which started itchy eyelid since July (5 months pp) still breast feeding (9months pp) and eyes swell itch, lip red peeling and random hives itchy skin...
    I assumed something i touched bc i have allergies but never this bad..
    Been to my doc, dermatologist and i have seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp, eyelis and angular cheilitis in the corner of my mouth... ( never had these issues :(
    So frustrated and not sure if they are all related somehow with hormones
    i told my doc she said no it wouldnt be nor so i need to see an allergist (more frustrated)
    Have gone to a naturopath now and on aome aupplements to see if they help (but not helping yet as its been 2 weeks and im anxious but i know if i am trying to heal feom within takes time)
    Thought maybe it is anxiety causing it to get worse..
    I hope it clears up arghhhh

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  72. Did it get worse for anyone when your baby was starting to naturally wean?? I have had horrible hives since August. About two weeks after I introduced food to my son *when he was 6 months old.* All day every day! but the past two months, I have suffered with swollen eyes and lips. Crazy swollen, I can't go out in public! I don't know what to do. the allergist just suggests taking zyrtec. But it doesn't seem to do anything. i look crazy! ah! I keep hoping it will pass, but it doesn't.

    Anyways, just wondering if it got worse when people were starting to wean.

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    1. I have my baby on April and i started having my swollen lips on end of may and it was i had hives and more like internal skin swollen on my hand plam, feet, limbs, legs. It was really worse during early days it started then I went to see GP. She prescribed Clarytyn and it helped but then as I used to stop Clarytyn; it hives got back. Check with specialist; nothing major allergy was found and even I am not having food that even I am bit allergic; hives didnt left completely as my baby is 3 and half months now. I started water therapy which I found somewhere online with mother with similar problem. It was mentioned; cut down tea and coffee and drink atleast 8 glasses of water a day; 3 hours interval. i guess, it helped a lot. but hives hasnt gone completely but the frequencies of breaking hives has reduced and less severe. I am breast feeding mother.

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  73. My hives would always get better the less milk I was producing. But everyone is different and as much as the medical community doesn't want to admit it we understand so little about the causes of hives.

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  74. This happened to me 1 week after I had a c section. Would flare up and night and for huge hives on my thighs, legs, feet and arms. Tried every allergy medicine and ointment but it only gave me temporary relief. Started taking the mini-pill birth control pill, which has small amount of progestin and my hives and the itching are signficantly getting better. It's definitely a hormone imbalance.

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  75. I don't know where to start.
    Deep breath
    When my daughter was 12 months old and started to naturally ween from breastfeeding I started breaking out in hives on my wrists. At this point I was not aware the two had anything to do with each other. By the time she was 14 months. She was still nursing once a day. My hives at this point were terrible. Full body head to toe. Like most of you swelling on my face. I was having hives internally making breathing very difficult and very painful. I stopped nursing her completley because I was taking do much benadryl that I was not comfortable nursing her. As time went on it stayed just really bad. It didn't get better it just stayed bad. My Dr had no clue what was going on. We won't even go into that. Talk about a piss off. I started seeing a naturopath. Here they determined my hormones were way out of wack. I also started a diet plan that would help balance my hormones with food. I did a a 2 day cleanse to flood my body with nutrients which helps balance York hormones. I believe a combination of the acupuncture and the nutrtion is what finally broke my hives. On my last day with hives,I woke up with my face swollen the biggest it had ever been (this would be now 9 months) and more hives all over my body then ever. When it finally settled by mid afternoon they were gone and never returned. Till today. When my 2nd child now 12 months and 11 days old and 4 days off breast milk. I have 4 hives on my abdominal area. I am hoping since I have been on an incredibly healthy diet. Taking all my vitamins and excercise daily that this will quickly help balance my hormones. I am going to find ways to quickly dry up my milk if that even exists. I'm immediately going to the acupuncturist and will be doing my juice cleanse. My heart goes out to you women. Hives are brutal and debilitating and lonely AF. I'm here for anyone who needs to vent or just have some support. Amandagioia83@gmail.com I'll post regularly to keep you posted on how my progress is. I hope most of you are free and clear of your hives. Take care. Xo

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  76. My 4th baby right after I delivered. Hives appeared. I never had hives all my life (36 years old) nor with my previous 3 pregnancies. The last one was a boy.
    I took Medrol dose pack twice, who've helped but once finish the pack they came back. ( suffered for 2 months before took the steroids because don't want to be in any meds cause of nursing but I gave up)
    Zyrtec the only thing can help me in some.
    I feel like if I get stress it triggers it. Stop nursing 2 months ago. Baby now is 8 months. cause I thought it's related( Lactation Consoltant to advised me too)
    Went to naturopath, they found Candida and parasites. I'm taking remedies. On a strict diet. No sugar no wheat no starches.. I lost weight but still have hives. Not as bad 95% on my eye lids. Weired! But creeps me out. I can walk like that outside I look like an Alian!
    Looks like I need 2-3 Zyrtec per week to keep under control.
    Now mainly the hives stuck in my eye lids. And itchy scalp. I wake up with swollen eyes. We're checking now for autoimmun diseases.
    I'm so scared.
    But again, everything started once I delivered the baby. So maybe hormonal issues.
    I'll keep you posted.

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  77. I'm so glad I found this blog! I'm 7 months postpartum, and I'm also breastfeeding. About two weeks ago, my abdomen started itching extremely bad. Now I have what looks likes little mosquito bites on my stomach that itch soo bad! I try really hard not to scratch during the day, but I do find it itches more at night. I'm looking for natural remedies as I do not like taking medications, especially while breastfeeding.

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  78. With my first son, I developed PUPPS about 1 month after his was born. It was terrible! My doctor was so unhelpful. Thankfully, I have a friend who is a dermatologist who helped me a long and finally figured out I had PUPPS a few months in. Unfortunately, we had no idea when it would go away. I tried so many creams and medicines and nothing worked. It got to the point that whenever I fed my son, my nipples would bleed and welt up. Along with that, blisters would form in my nipples and I would have to pop them to get milk out. I had a gut feeling that the PUPPS would go away when I stopped breastfeeding. In month 5, I made the painful decision to stop and sure enough, the PUPPS went away. I am now almost 9 months pregnant with my 2nd child - boy and I believe it is coming back:( A rash has started to form around my stretch marks and it is very itchy. I pray that it isn't! I was so excited because I heard you can't get PUPPS twice, but I have read that could be wrong. Again, I don't know, but I feel in my gut that my PUPPS is related to the hormones that produce milk. I sure hope that I am wrong though...

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  79. I'm almost 6 months postpartum after my 2nd and still suffering from hives. Zyrtec has made them manageable but still so awful! I'm trying to hang in there until 8 months but we will see how things go...sincerely hoping this isn't a problem if I want to have a third but the allergy medicine has helped and not affected my supply.

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  80. I recently end natural treatment from herbalist healer which i used to got rid of my hives i only applied the treatment for one week. it so amazing i eliminated this disease out from my body. i also recommend everyone suffering from this horrible disease should also be cure you can reach Dr Onokun via email; dronokunherbalcure@gmail.com

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