Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatmentsUsing Breast MilkTips for BreastfeedingDiet SolutionsCauses
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatments
Using Breast Milk
Tips for Breastfeeding
Diet Solutions
Causes
Fortunately, treatments are available. Medicated creams can be used in some situations. Psychological support, good skincare habits, phototherapy, and even breastmilk on the skin maymake breastfeeding easierwhen you haveeczema.
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Treatments for Eczema While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can feel challenging for anyone, and eczema can further complicate it. People with breast eczema often experience more discomfort with breastfeeding than others. Nipple dermatitis (eczema on the nipples) can cause irritation, redness, oozing, and crusting of the skin.
These are some of the treatments that have been studied for treating eczema while breastfeeding:
The use of medicated creams may help, but there are some concerns about their use during breastfeeding.
For example, creams that contain benzocaine to relieve itching have not been studied enough to know if they are safe during breastfeeding. Also, there are concerns that ingesting it could cause a blood disorder calledmethemoglobinemiain babies and young children.
How to Use Breast Milk for Eczema
A 2019 review found that using breast milk topically was as effective as treatment with hydrocortisone cream for eczema. The study also found that breast milk can successfully treat diaper rash as well.
If you are not currently breastfeeding but want to try this treatment, consider consulting a breast milk bank. Talk with your pediatrician before incorporating breast milk into your treatment. The risk of catching an infection or disease from breast milk is low but possible.
Tips to Safely Nurse With Breast Eczema
Eczema is the most common chronic inflammatoryskin disorder in children.However, studies investigating howbreastfeedingmight lower the risk of eczema inbabieshave yielded inconsistent results.
One cohort study published in 2017 did not find evidence of protection from eczema from breastfeeding.However, a 2023 report showed that breastfeeding might protect against eczema early in life, but that protection diminished in adolescence.
If you choose to breastfeed with eczema, consider the following tips when breastfeeding with eczema:
If certain foods trigger eczema, remove them from your diet. These may include gluten, red meat, shellfish, citrus fruits, cow’s milk, and dairy products.
Why Pregnancy Eczema Happens
During pregnancy, the body relies on Th2 cells for immunity. These cells are responsible for defending against allergens and other toxins that are located outside of the cells. They keep the fetus safe from harm but affect the pregnant person in new ways. The Th2 cells cause the pregnant person to become more sensitive to allergens. This means that the risk of eczema and other allergic conditions goes up. People with asthma may notice that their condition worsens during pregnancy.
High estrogen levels in the body likely trigger this shift from Th1 cell immunity to Th2 cell immunity.
Summary
Eczema is a condition that causes red, itchy patches of skin. The patches may also crack and ooze. Eczema can appear anywhere on the skin, including the breasts and nipples. Breast eczema can make breastfeeding more complicated and even painful. Pregnant people may be more at risk of developing eczema because of changes to the immune system during pregnancy.
13 Sources
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Elseody MHAA, Mohamed MAER, Alsharnoubi J.Could Photobiomodulation help lactating women and their newborns?Lasers Med Sci. 2024;39(1):192. doi:10.1007/s10103-024-04132-w
Digitale JC, Chang PW, Li SX, Kuzniewicz MW, Newman TB.The effect of hospital phototherapy on early breastmilk feeding.Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol.2021 Nov;35(6):717-725. doi:10.1111/ppe.12794
Kasrae H, Amiri Farahani L, Yousefi P.Efficacy of topical application of human breast milk on atopic eczema healing among infants: a randomized clinical trial.Int J Dermatol.2015 Aug;54(8):966-71. doi:10.1111/ijd.12764
Li R, Zhang LX, Tian C, Ma LK, Li Y.Successful management of a breastfeeding mother with severe eczema of the nipple beginning from puberty: A case report.World J Clin Cases. 2022 Oct 6;10(28):10155-10161. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v10.i28.10155
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Safety Information on Benzocaine-Containing Products.
Witkowska-Zimny M, Kamińska-El-Hassan E, Wróbel E.Milk therapy: unexpected uses for human breast milk.Nutrients. 2019;11(5):944. doi:10.3390/nu11050944
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Frequently asked questions (faqs) | breastfeeding.
Wang J, Ramette A, Jurca M, et al.Association between breastfeeding and eczema during childhood and adolescence: a cohort study.PLoS One. 2017;12(9):e0185066 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185066
National Eczema Association.Eczema diet: top foods to eat and avoid.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Diet of breastfeeding mother & child with atopic dermatitis.
National Eczema Association.Eczema and pregnancy: symptoms, causes and treatment.
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