<<Question- anyone ever had a situation of allergy to a Medela
pump?>>

No, but pumps, nipple shields and dummies (pacifiers) all have a
reputation for carrying thrush and reinfecting, particularly in this
country where cold sterilisation solutions are commonly used. Was the
mother really cleaning as well as sterilising it well.

The other thing that comes to mind is damaged skin following a
thrush infection, even after the thrush is cleared. This skin would
be more susceptible to any number of allergens, including soap. Maybe
the alkaline soap was an irritant not an allergen?

We had a local doctor who would accusingly tell anyone with vaginal
thrush or athlete's foot that they must have been using soap!  A
number of friends told me that switching to "Dove" which in this
country is technically not a soap and is not so alkaline,
dramatically stopped reassurances. I think it is a matter of
preserving the skin's natural protective acid mantle with a product
with the right Ph.

Ros Escott BAppSc IBCLC
Tasmania, Australia