I know we may be going off the bf subject, but just talked to my packaging
engineer husband who used to package the sutures for sterile treatment.
(He was in this over 20 years ago, so there may be new materials, but I
thought I'd bring these into the discussion:)

His considerations:

1. Sutures are made from an animal's gut  - we used to say cat, but Marty
tells me it's sheep, mostly - so there may be a reaction to this foreign
protein.

2. The sutures are then treated with chromic acid solution to prevent it
from being absorbed as quickly - this also makes it black.  So mom may be
reacting to this.

3. He asks - is it possible that women who breastfeed have a stronger
allergic reaction as her body is aware it is caring for a baby and does
everything to protect it - including releasing histamines - at the expense
of the mom???


Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Project Director - Proyecto Lacta - Puerto Rico
http://netdial.caribe.net/~prlacta/
Lactancia Materna '98 - La Mejor Inversion