Rash after childbirth: causes and treatment of urticaria

• 3 main factors why allergies appear after childbirth
• How do postpartum allergies manifest?
• Allergies after childbirth in a mother: what to do?
• How to alleviate the condition and recover faster?

Childbirth is not only a natural physiological process for any woman, but also a serious test for her body.
Even during pregnancy, the body undergoes radical restructuring, which affects all systems and internal organs. Immunity is no exception; in pregnant women it is especially sensitive and vulnerable. It is not surprising that it is during pregnancy that many expectant mothers experience allergies. And even more often, allergic reactions appear after childbirth. Is it possible to somehow prevent this or at least alleviate the condition? To answer these questions, it is important to understand what mechanisms trigger allergies immediately after childbirth.

Why does a rash appear after childbirth?

Many mothers, after giving birth, believing that all the difficulties are behind them, are deeply mistaken, forgetting about postpartum complications. The happiness of motherhood, love, and caring for a newborn shift all attention to the baby’s health, while one’s own remains unattended.

And weakened by gestation and childbirth, the body makes itself felt. A postpartum rash appears on the face, abdomen, buttocks, and neck. It usually manifests itself in the form of acne, urticaria, and peeling. Which, affecting areas of the dermis on the abdomen, cause pain, causing an unpleasant feeling of discomfort. The presence of inflammatory processes in areas of the skin requires serious treatment, sometimes dragging on for months.

Rash after childbirth does not have one common cause, they are different. Poor nutrition, hormonal imbalance, poor skin care, the presence of infection, environmental exposure, allergies to foods or substances are the most likely causes of rashes. Some may go away on their own, while others will require long-term treatment.

How to make an appointment with a doctor

Hormonal rash does not require treatment, but it will not be superfluous to monitor the baby’s condition. In case of atypical development of the overall picture, therapy may be required. JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Roitberg) is located in the center of Moscow: 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskaya lane, building 10. Nearby are the metro stations "Mayakovskaya", "Novoslobodskaya", "Belorusskaya", "Tverskaya", "Chekhovskaya". You can make an appointment with a pediatrician by phone. A feedback option is available on the clinic’s website. In a special form you need to enter your information (name and phone number), after which the administrator will call you back to clarify information about the proposed appointment. The clinic welcomes doctors from various subspecialties. These are not only pediatricians, but also a dermatologist, cardiologist, psychologist, immunologist, allergist, neurologist, speech therapist and other doctors. The clinic pays attention to young patients, takes care of their emotional comfort, and uses advanced diagnostic technologies and innovative treatment methods.

Urticaria after childbirth

Urticaria refers to an allergic type of rash that appears on any part of the body. In the initial stage, the disease resembles a regular rash, but then the format of the symptoms changes: redness and spots, expanding, unite, and swelling appears in the affected areas of the skin. The cause of postpartum urticaria is an allergic reaction to a sharp surge of hormones during labor. This is the main, but not the only prerequisite.

The appearance of urticaria is possible due to:

• malfunction of the central nervous system;
• stress;
• contact with any of the chemicals;
• food;
• disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• sun rays;
• sudden changes in climatic conditions.

If we take a more conventional gradation, then urticaria occurs:

1. Spontaneous – compliment-induced diseases, nodular vasculitis, autoimmune failure.
2. Special – cholinergic and food rashes, aquagenic rashes (allergy to exposure to water), due to physical overload, exposure to sunlight, side effects to medications.
3. Physical (climatic) – against the background of hypothermia, upon contact with heat, vibration.

The first symptom of the disease is the appearance of a bright pink rash with blurred contours. The areas affected by the pinpoint rash begin to itch and itch, creating an unpleasant sensation. After a few hours, the symptoms partially disappear, but then reappear.

New mothers must use a principle that can hardly be called scientific. It is more reminiscent of an elementary search, in the scientific community itself called the “scientific poking method.” To do this, you need to refuse suspicious products one by one. Change the temperature and humidity in the rooms where the woman spends most of her time. Go for a walk in the sun at different times. All this should be done with one goal - to find out the cause of urticaria.

If the issue is not hormonal imbalances or illness, the root cause of the rash will quickly be revealed. Or - see a doctor.

Acne after childbirth

A rash of pimples and blackheads can also occur against the background of an allergic reaction, especially with hormonal imbalances and surges. But the main reasons are:

• disruptions in blood circulation with decreased physical activity;
• improper or untimely skin care;
• sweating, oily skin;
• nerves;
• poor nutrition.

If you do not start procedural treatment, acne will quickly leave areas of localization on the skin: face, nose, chin, shoulders and back.

How do postpartum allergies manifest?

If a cold allergy or another type of allergic reaction appears after childbirth, a woman can easily identify the disease by its characteristic symptoms - swelling, itching, rashes. But these symptoms are basic. Various allergic reactions are accompanied by other symptoms:

• copious mucous discharge from the nose (rhinitis);
• conjunctivitis, red and watery eyes;
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and bronchospasm.

Postpartum allergies should not be taken lightly. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Especially if symptoms are observed in both mother and child. The lack of correct and timely treatment provokes dangerous complications - Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. The weakened bodies of mother and baby cannot cope with this without medical help.

Hormonal postpartum rashes

Excessive or truncated release of hormones into the blood, a surge in enzymatic synthesis, a violation of the quantitative or qualitative ratios of biologically active substances lead to disruption of stable hormonal levels. This is normal for a woman during pregnancy and lactation. Her body is being rebuilt, first for bearing a child, then for postpartum recovery, and finally for breastfeeding the baby.

But not all organs keep up with such perturbation, so sometimes this is reflected in external manifestations, for example, a hormonal rash. The situation becomes more complicated if there is:

• genetic predisposition;
• postpartum disruptions of the endocrine system;
• side effects of medications;
• response to infectious diseases;
• postpartum stress;
• overweight.

In this state, women may experience temporary depression, irritability, lack of appetite, and poor sleep.

Allergic rash

Hormonal imbalance observed during childbirth can cause a rejection reaction, which manifests itself in the form of allergic rashes. The factors that cause an allergic rash may differ, but the manifestations are similar: spots, swelling, and pimples appear on the skin.

Main allergens:

• substances of chemical origin: detergents, washing powders, air fresheners, disinfectant chemicals in the pool, etc.;
• contact irritants (diapers, underwear);
• food products (for example, baby formula, tangerines, alcohol);
• climatic changes: heat, frost;
• vitamins;
• reaction to household objects: smell or pollen, animal hair, dust.

The first signs of an allergy are the appearance of pink spots, rashes or pimples, which eventually form swelling. Additional symptoms: runny nose, tearfulness, sneezing, coughing, heavy breathing.

Hormonal rash in infants and causes

In the first weeks after birth, 30-35% of babies develop symptoms of a characteristic rash. Neonatal cephalic pustulosis is also affectionately called “newborn bloom.” Young parents may hear other options: acne or baby acne, milia, three-week rash. These are all names of the same diagnosis. Hormonal rash predominantly occurs at the end of the first week of life, but the typical time frame can be extended to 3 months. Main causes:

• increased levels of estrogen in the blood;
• activation of the sebaceous glands;
• blockage of follicles;
• proliferation of yeast-like fungi.

Mechanism of development in the body

Hormonal rash in a child directly depends on the mother’s hormones. Excessive amounts of estrogens accumulated in the body after birth must be eliminated from the body, and hormonal levels should be normalized. Under the influence of the same factor, including adrenal androgens, the sebaceous glands are activated. They actively produce excess subcutaneous fat. The skin and pores do not have time to cope with the incoming amount. This leads to clogged pores and follicles. And the proliferation of yeast-like fungi contributes to the development of the inflammatory process. In 52% of cases, the Malassezia species was detected in smears. All processes are closely interconnected.

Locations of rashes

Rashes after childbirth can affect all areas of the skin, causing women significant discomfort. In some cases, this manifests itself during breastfeeding; in others, the inconvenient location causes irritation. Main areas of postpartum rash:

• areas of the abdomen, shoulders, back;
• face and neck;
• limbs and areas near their location: inguinal, axillary.

Less commonly, rashes and pimples appear on the buttocks, in the genital area, or in other places where their location may cause inconvenience in movement.

Rash on the body after childbirth

The localization of postpartum rash is often the abdomen, shoulders, thighs and other areas of the body. The rashes can be located either separately from each other or covering large areas. Appear immediately after childbirth or on days 2-5, when it is already clear that some kind of failure has occurred.

Body rash has different manifestations:

• small spots with unclear boundaries;
• in the form of scabs, crusts, keratinization, bubbles with liquid, in the form of scales;
• large pigment spots fused with each other;
• vary in color: whitish, bright pink, dark red.

The nature of the appearance of the rash is also different:

• hormonal disbalance;
• skin diseases;
• allergy;
• presence of infection;
• improper skin care.

The most common cause of rashes on the abdomen, buttocks, back and shoulders is urticaria, a disease of a hormonal-allergic nature. Labor contractions and the birth itself cause a sharp release of hormones, provoking a response. Usually it occurs a few days after the birth of the newborn and it is not always possible to cope with it quickly.

Rash on face after childbirth

For young mothers, the most unpleasant area for a postpartum rash is the skin on the neck and face. It causes anxiety, anxiety, and nervous tension, which aggravates other problems: poor sleep, decreased appetite and lactation.

The reason for rashes on the face after childbirth is still the same - a riot of hormones. Less: allergies, problems with blood circulation, difficult adaptation to climate change in a new place. Sometimes instead of a rash, pimples and blackheads appear on the face, due to disruption of the endocrine system and problems with the sebaceous glands. The latter close the pores and disrupt the supply of oxygen to skin cells.

It is worth paying attention to cosmetic chemistry. Used in skin care, it can provoke the opposite effect - the appearance of pimples and blackheads on the face.

Rash on arms (legs) after childbirth

Postpartum rashes on the arms: wrists, palms, fingers, elbows and legs: calves, feet, thighs, knees are most often due to allergies. They can appear in the form of small pimples, peeling, in the form of pink or dark pink spots, with clear boundaries of the affected areas. Less commonly, the cause of a rash on the extremities is:

• avitaminosis;
• bacterial infections;
• postpartum depression;
• complex diseases such as hepatitis, diabetes;
• fungal diseases.

Summer rash on the arms and legs also occurs due to insect bites, which cause severe irritation and swelling, and after scratching, can lead to complications.

How to alleviate the condition and recover faster?

Simple recommendations will help:

1. A pregnant woman and a young mother should carefully monitor the nutrition and condition of the digestive system. Don't experiment with your diet. It is better to give up something unusual - this will minimize the risk of postpartum allergies and other problems.
2. It is important to limit contact with possible allergens. Do not walk in a stuffy city near flowering plants, regularly wet-clean your home with eco-friendly and hypoallergenic products, wear clothes made from natural fabrics, avoid decorative cosmetics, and take a shower daily.
3. Get enough sleep and avoid stress, remember about feasible physical activity. Hiking, yoga for pregnant women, daily exercises, a short vacation at the seaside or in the mountains will make pregnancy easier and reduce the risk of postpartum allergies for both the young mother and her baby.

Taking your body seriously during pregnancy, following doctors' recommendations, using safe antihistamines such as Fenkarol, and conscious prevention are the best helpers in the fight against allergies after childbirth. Remember this and be healthy!

Diagnostic methods

At the first signs of rashes, experts advise directly contacting allergists, the category of doctors who are the fastest to recognize the type of manifestation. Allergy tests help to quickly establish the causes and factors that triggered the rash. To do this, you need to donate blood for analysis. This is a reliable but slow diagnostic procedure, sometimes it is important to start treatment sooner

Acne is often caused by infectious diseases, so it is advisable to conduct a provocative skin test. A method that almost immediately reveals the presence of rash pathogens.

Treatment of urticaria during breastfeeding

If the cause of the disease and the type of rash itself have been established, you should immediately begin treatment for urticaria. The factor causing the rejection reaction must be immediately eliminated. It could be:

• cosmetics and perfumes;
• cleaning and detergents;
• fruits or juices;
• medicines;
• synthetic items or clothing made from non-natural material;
• contact with pets.

If you have an allergic reaction to representatives of the plant world during their flowering period, you should avoid walking in places where they accumulate.

Measures

To treat urticaria use:

• lotions;
• baths;
• rubbing;
• masks;
• medicines;
• folk remedies.

All medicinal substances and procedures are performed under the supervision of a specialist, with caution. If the rash worsens, the medicinal substance is excluded from the list of medications used.

Procedures

Some procedures (to strengthen the immune system) enhance the body's resistance, and in case of chronic diseases, increase the period of remission. Others reduce negative symptoms: relieve itching, swelling, pain.

In physiotherapy for postpartum skin lesions, they are used

• weak currents (darsonvalization);
• ultraviolet treatment;
• radon and sulfide baths;
• UHF irradiation;
• electrophoresis with medicinal solutions.

Medicines

Urticaria is not a dangerous disease, but the accompanying symptoms can cause significant harm. Especially for a woman weakened by childbirth. Therefore, you need to be fully armed, know and be able to use first aid medications:

• Adrenaline (vasodilator), injected intramuscularly, once, if the effect is weak, repeat after 10-15 minutes.
• Prednisolone (a steroid drug) is given intravenously as a substance to suppress an acute allergic reaction (every 4 hours).
• Diphenhydramine (antihistamine), a second-line drug, is administered intramuscularly with a break of 4-6 hours.

In case of long-term treatment use:

• Injections. Fenkarop is used to relieve swelling and reduce allergies. Suprastin enhances resistance and slows down the mechanics of the development of an allergic reaction.
• Pills. Trexil, Zyrtec, Tavegil, Claritin.
• Antibiotics. Penicillin, Biseptol.
• Vitamins. Magnesium, Beta-carotene, PP, B12, C.
• Sorbents. Polysorb, activated carbon.
• Selective immunosuppressants. Xolair.
• Ointments. Akriderm, Advantan, topical ointments. Gistan-N, Flucinar, Lorinden-S are hormonal drugs. Zinc ointment, La-Cri, Fenistil, Bepanten, salicylic-zinc ointment, Nezulin are non-hormonal drugs.

Diet

The diet prescribed for urticaria is mandatory for all categories of patients.

Food products that should be excluded from the menu partially or completely:

1. Foods with a high salt content: salted nuts, crackers, pickled fish, canned food.
2. Temporary ban on home supplies in the form of canned fruits and vegetables.
3. Food products with preservatives, food colors, emulsifiers, raising agents.
4. Vegetables and fruits of yellow, orange, red colors.
5. Reduce traditional allergens: eggs, milk, honey, seafood.
6. Ban on exotic foods: shellfish, fruits, meat.

For the treatment of allergic diseases, it is advisable to use an elimination type of nutrition, used for patients who, due to circumstances, cannot pass the necessary tests. This type of diet advocates gentle nutrition and strict avoidance of unwanted foods.

Regardless of the type of nutrition you choose, you will benefit from:

• method of preparing products (all products undergo heat treatment);
• method of separating products (separately protein, carbohydrate, fatty);
• meals strictly according to schedule.

When eating on a diet, some of the foods in one category may be prohibited, for example:

• Of the fermented milk products, only low-fat or low-fat ones are allowed: cheese, yogurt, kefir;
• Cereals are allowed from cereals: oats, corn, millet;
• Green varieties of pears, apples, and white currants are allowed as fruits;
• vegetables are allowed baked: potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, carrots;
• lean, dietary varieties of meat and fish.

During the diet, you should drink as much water as possible, temporarily excluding strong tea, coffee, and fruit juices. It is advisable to exclude baked goods, creams, dishes with a high content of sugar, oil, and animal fat.