<Permission to post:
I am currently mentoring a new counsellor on the Aust. Breastfeeding 
Helpline.  She had a call earlier this morning from a mother of a 9 
week old.  She was advised by her paediatrician to reduce eliminate 
dairy, which she did about a week ago.  The mother is now reporting 
that she is getting itchy elbows and hives with each 
breastfeed.  This disappears about 20-30 minutes after she feeds her baby.

She has not changed soap, deodorant, or used a lot of sun 
screen.  She has not changed where she feeds or cleaned the furniture 
with anything.  She hasn't eaten any seafood/fish other than her 
normal amount.  She is not taking any supplements, e.g. 
vitamins/minerals.  And has described her diet as normal except for 
reducing and eliminating dairy.

I was able to provide some suggestions to reduce the symptoms and 
itchiness.  But any suggestions on what might be causing the hives 
and itchiness on the elbows.>

What about laundry and laundry products?? Especially if someone else has been helping with the laundry. All it takes is a little overcrowding of the laundry loads, or a tiny overdose of laundry products, to result in skin irritation for some folks from any such products. It might be helpful to rewash any currently laundered towels, sheets or tops she plans to be using as "insurance" against re-exposure.

It has been very helpful in our household over decades to use my own mother's hint (long before dryers and dryer sheets were invented;-) My athletes used to get hives if not using a towel from home, and the gals could always tell by discomfort from their undies, bras, etc. that someone "goofed" in doing the laundry around our house! 

Use a second rinse with half a cup of distilled white vinegar in it, especially for towels (used when her pores are open after bathing), sheets (folks often sweat during sleep), and other clothes too, especially her current wardrobe of long-sleeved tops. If she has been wearing short sleeves, use a treated towel to cover the arm of the chair or sofa?               

This works for ALL kinds of laundry, including diapers (no special soaps or softeners needed) and regular underwear, and all washable fabrics. I use this method for every single load. And of course, use NO dryer sheets if a dryer is used. Very economical. The vinegar smell goes away in the dryer or on the clothesline outdoors, and it also works great for permanent press fabrics. The object is to make sure that absolutely no laundry products remain in the clothing that could then dissolve, especially when open pores (baths, sweating, MER???) might allow even a hint of left-over laundry product to irritate the skin or enter the pores.


At the least, it can't harm anything!

(Also, add in my vote of appreciation for all the listmothers! Lactnet is awe-inspiring and almost addictive to me;-)


K. Jean Cotterman RNC-E, IBCLC
WIC Volunteer LC   Dayton Ohio

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