Postpartum hives are a common phenomenon, and they can be really scary. It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed by them—you’re dealing with a lot! Your body is just adjusting to the new reality of having a baby.
When you have a baby, your hormones are all over the place. Your body gets flooded with oxytocin and estrogen and progesterone, and other crazy hormones. But your body is just trying to do its best to adapt, and it’s doing that by making you itch so much. Read this article to know more about it.
What Is Postpartum Hives
Hives, or urticaria, are skin rashes that can appear on the surface of your body. They’re usually caused by an allergic reaction to a specific substance, such as pollen, latex, or cream. Postpartum hives can occur in women who have just given birth. The swelling and itching can be very uncomfortable.
Postpartum hives is a condition that occurs after you’ve given birth. It’s not a serious condition, but it can be uncomfortable and even scary if it happens to you—especially if you’re a first-time mum.
Postpartum hives affect about 10 per cent of women who deliver vaginally and 5 per cent of those who have caesarean sections. It’s more common in women who have delivered multiple times than those who haven’t delivered before.
The cause is believed to be an immune system reaction triggered by the stress of labour and delivery, combined with changes in hormone levels. This means that postpartum hives can happen to any woman who gives birth—whether or not she has had previous pregnancies or deliveries with no complications.
Image source: iStock
Are Postpartum Hives Something Common
Hives are a common postpartum symptom, and it’s important to know the difference between hives and other skin rashes that you might experience. A rash can be caused by many things, including a reaction to medication or an allergic reaction. It’s important to treat any rash that occurs during pregnancy or postpartum because it can cause complications for your baby.
When Do Postpartum Hives Start
Postpartum hives are common during the first few weeks after giving birth. The hives may appear on the face, hands, and arms and can be itchy or painful. They generally go away in a day or two.
Postpartum hives usually start within 24 hours of delivery, but they can start up to six weeks later.
How Long Do Postpartum Hives Last
It’s hard to say exactly how long postpartum hives will last because every woman experiences them differently. Some women get hives for just a day or two after giving birth; others find their symptoms linger for weeks or even months after delivery.
The good news is that most cases of postpartum hives tend to resolve themselves within three months after delivering a baby (though some may persist longer).
Image Source: iStock
What Causes Postpartum Hives
Postpartum hives can develop anytime during the first week after giving birth. In most cases, they start within a few days of delivery and go away on their own within about three weeks.
During this period, your body is adjusting to the changes that have happened during pregnancy and childbirth—and this often causes sensitivity to certain substances or foods that weren’t a problem before becoming pregnant or breastfeeding.
The most common cause of postpartum hives is stress, which can be caused by a number of situations: the birth itself, the adjustment period after coming home from the hospital or birthing centre, trying to juggle all that goes with having a newborn baby (including breastfeeding), and more.
Postpartum hives are a side effect of giving birth. It’s a common condition that can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and it’s usually caused by one of two things:
- An allergic reaction to something you’re ingesting, such as food or medicine. This is known as anaphylaxis.
- A reaction to stress hormones released during labour and delivery causes your body to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream.
Although postpartum hives can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, they’re not dangerous. They can be managed by avoiding triggers like certain foods or medications, staying hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks (like Pedialyte), taking antihistamines as prescribed by your doctor (if needed), and making sure you get plenty of rest while recovering from labour and delivery!
What Causes Hives While Breastfeeding
There are many possible causes for hives while breastfeeding. The most common cause is an allergic reaction to something in your breast milk.
This might be a certain food you ate before breastfeeding (like dairy products), some medication you’re taking while breastfeeding (like antibiotics), or even something as simple as soap residue on your hands before feeding your baby. A more serious cause might be an infection like mastitis or thrush.
The good news is that hives while breastfeeding usually go away within 24 hours and do not harm either mother or child. If an allergy causes the hives, the sooner you begin treating it, the better—but if they’re not caused by an allergic reaction (like when you’re taking antibiotics), then there’s no need to worry about treating them at all!
Antihistamines are commonly prescribed to treat allergies in Singapore
How to Get Rid of Postpartum Hives
Postpartum hives are a common, uncomfortable, and embarrassing side effect of giving birth.
We’ve got you covered if you’re wondering how to get rid of postpartum hives. We’ve collected some tips from other mums and mums-to-be who’ve been there.
- Wear loose clothing. You might feel like it’s not worth putting on a bra or pants if your hives are only on your legs or arms, but it’s best to cover up as much as possible. Loose clothes will help keep the hives from spreading and make you feel more comfortable.
- Take ibuprofen regularly. Ibuprofen helps reduce swelling and itching in most cases of postpartum hives, so take it every four hours until the hives go away completely (about 48 hours).
- Try cold compresses if your skin is itchy or red and inflamed. A cool compress can help calm the itching, slowing the swelling down faster!
- Consider switching from your normal laundry detergent to something more sensitive. This detergent has fewer harsh chemicals and will be much gentler on your skin than what you use at home.
- Make sure you’re taking good care of yourself. Eating well and getting enough sleep is the best way to take care of your body after giving birth. If you’re tired or hungry, it can be hard to think about anything else—and that’s why it’s so important to focus on taking care of yourself first!
Medical Treatment for Postpartum Hives
If you’re suffering from postpartum hives, you know that it’s not just uncomfortable—it can be downright debilitating. The rash and itching can be so bad that it keeps you from doing what you must do.
That’s why it’s important to get medical treatment for postpartum hives as soon as possible. According to Healthline, here are the medications your doctor might recommend:
- skin steroid cream (like betamethasone valerate)
- an antihistamine (like pheniramine)
- anti-itch lotion or cream
- steroid medication (like prednisolone in cases of serious swelling and itching)
- an epinephrine (epi) pen
- allergy shots
- a medication called ursodeoxycholic acid (or Udiliv, only if the cause is a serious liver imbalance)
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
