Urticaria, breastfeeding and trying to conceive

[grinningbee]

Morning all!

I'm hoping someone in the know will be able to help me.

I was diagnosed yesterday with Urticaria. Lovely itchy condition!!

It's driving me insane as it's popping up all over me and has been since Friday. Dr yesterday gave me Eurax cream, but also suggested Piriton. I'm bf'ing my 15 week old dd, and he said it would just sedate her. I am a little surprised he said to take it anyway - anyone else done this, or is there a safer alternative?

I'm also trying to conceive. Not sure if the antihistamines would affect things with a foetus, but does Urticaria itself have an effect on pregnancy?

Didn't get the chance to ask him what I wanted as he left the room after handing me a printout from the internet.

Sorry for rambling...

[NumptyMum]

No answers re Urticaria, you could check with pharmacist or doctor. However breastfeeding CAN stop conceiving - I know we're always told it's not a contraceptive, but it depends when/how much you are feeding your DD; I think the overnight feeds are the ones that can interfere with fertility, see Kellymom for more. I tried for AGES after DS to conceive, had no idea that the night feed might be interfering otherwise I'd have dropped it much quicker (he was only feeding out of habit/comfort).

[grinningbee]

Thanks for the reply Numptymum - I've already got my periods back despite exclusively feeding dd myself... how I missed them - Not!

[thehairybabysmum]

I had terrible urticaria during pregnancy; I was even admitted to hospital at 12 weeks as they thought it might be something like C. pox or parvovirus.

Anyway i took piriton every 2 hrs for 2 weeks then fairy often throughout rest of pg and no problems with ds1. Consultant said that as long as it was the old style piriton (chlorophenamine i think) that it was ok. You mustn't take the newer anti-histimaines that are non-drowsy ones.

If it is ok during pregnancy then i guess it would be ok during bf especially as your dr is saying this.

Sorry dont know about whether there would be an effect on conception....i guess the biggest problem will be tiredness as it does make you drowsy!!

[grinningbee]

Lol at drowsiness, as if having a 15 week old wasn't contraception enough...

Think I might just put up with the itching.

[thehairybabysmum]

Oat baths are meant to help too...basically run a bath and have porridge oats in old tights in the water.

[Babieseverywhere]

Information on Piriton

Suggests taking it at night after your last evening feed. It also suggest several alturnative drugs.

HTH