The appearance or worsening of allergic symptoms is a fairly common problem, occurring in 70% of women who have recently given birth. Severe stress in the body caused by the birth process, chronic lack of sleep and severe dehydration that occurs during lactation provoke the active production of histamine, which is responsible for the development of allergy symptoms.
The use of antihistamines compatible with breastfeeding helps to quickly stop inflammatory processes and normalize the woman’s condition, and low absorption and the virtual absence of sedation make it possible not to harm the central nervous system and the functioning of the adrenal glands of the infant.
Why can allergies worsen after childbirth?
After conception, the protective forces weaken, as the natural mechanism of immune suppression is activated. Thanks to this process, the fetus is not rejected, which is recognized by the cells of a pregnant woman as a foreign object. After childbirth, the immune system begins to recover, causing the body to become sensitive to various irritants. For this reason, allergies often occur.
Provoking factors are:
- food (for example, seafood, vegetables and fruits with orange or red peel, nuts);
- medicines;
- pet hair;
- pollen;
- insect bites.
Some experts believe that a non-standard reaction of the body occurs due to excess calcium and lack of fluid.
A similar condition is often observed during breastfeeding. An imbalance provokes the formation of histamine, an organic compound that can cause allergic reactions.
How do allergies manifest in breastfeeding women?
There are three types of allergy symptoms:
- Skin. The body turns red, swelling and rashes appear. Itching occurs, which is sometimes accompanied by peeling of the skin.
- Gastrointestinal. When an allergen enters the digestive system, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and diarrhea occur. Due to individual characteristics, a different response of the body may be observed - constipation.
- Respiratory. This group includes cough, shortness of breath, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. These symptoms are complemented by deteriorated sensitivity of taste buds.
An allergic reaction can manifest itself in the form of bronchial asthma due to genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, and excess weight. This condition causes dry cough and shortness of breath. Breathing is accompanied by whistling sounds. There is a lump in the chest area. There is also a feeling of lack of oxygen.
A severe manifestation of allergy is Quincke's edema. It is characterized by an increase in the soft tissues of the face and neck. Swelling is dangerous because it can spread to the larynx and impair breathing. This condition requires emergency medical attention. If not treated promptly, death may occur.
Types of allergies
Women who breastfeed may experience the following types of allergic reactions:
- skin allergies (penetrating into mother's milk, the allergen causes characteristic rashes, diaper rash and dryness on the skin of the mother and baby);
- respiratory (caused by various odors, pollen and dust particles);
- gastrointestinal allergies are the most dangerous and severe type, triggered by intolerance to certain foods.
It is advisable to prevent the development of allergies even before pregnancy and lactation, but if it does begin, it should be treated immediately using the most gentle and safe antihistamines.
Types of antihistamines and compatibility with lactation
Antihistamines have been developed to combat allergy symptoms. There are several generations of these funds:
- I generation - “Diphenhydramine”, “Tavegil”, “Suprastin”, etc. Cause drowsiness and impair daytime activity. The main disadvantage is the short therapeutic effect, which requires frequent administration of the drug in high doses.
- II generation - “Fenistil”, “Tinset”, “Semprex”, “Loratadine”, etc. They practically do not cause drowsiness, but have a cardiotoxic effect. For example, some drugs can accumulate in the body and cause abnormal heart rhythms.
- III generation – “Zyrtec”, “Telfast”. Modern and extremely safe medications. They do not affect heart rate and have a weak sedative effect.
There is also a classification that takes into account the receptors that are blocked. In accordance with it, there are 3 groups of antihistamines:
- H1 blockers;
- H2 blockers;
- H3 blockers.
Only H1 blockers are used in the treatment of allergic diseases. Medicines from other groups are used in the treatment of stomach pathologies and neurological conditions.
Most antihistamines cannot be used during lactation. The active ingredients of drugs penetrate into milk and have a negative effect on the child. Only some medications are allowed during breastfeeding. Preparations intended for external use are considered the safest.
special instructions
Mebhydrolin has a weak, but still sedative effect. During the period of therapy you should avoid:
- driving a vehicle;
- performing potentially hazardous work that requires increased concentration.
During treatment with the drug, it is not recommended to drive vehicles or perform other potentially dangerous activities that require maximum concentration.
Described on Wikipedia as Mebhydrolin.
Diazolin is often well tolerated, however, if it is used for a long time, the risk of the above side effects increases. Therefore, doctors in most cases do not prescribe the drug for allergic diseases with a chronic course.
The main essence of Diazolin is to relieve the main symptoms that a patient has during acute allergic reactions as quickly as possible.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that the drug does not belong to the first generation, so the main component slightly penetrates directly into the nervous system. Thanks to this action, Diazolin does not cause a hypnotic effect.
How can allergies be treated during lactation?
The first measure when an undesirable reaction of the body occurs is to eliminate the influence of the irritant. For example, if the reason lies in household chemicals, then you should avoid using them. If a reaction to food occurs, it is recommended to start following a hypoallergenic diet with the exclusion of eggs, cow's milk, brightly colored vegetables and fruits, juices, and sweets from the diet.
If allergy symptoms are severe, you should consult a doctor. The specialist will assess the condition and, if necessary, prescribe antihistamines.
First generation drugs
Antihistamine allergy tablets belonging to the first generation are not recommended for use during lactation. To drink these remedies, women must stop breastfeeding for a while.
Second generation drugs
"Loratadine" from the second generation can be used by nursing mothers, but with caution. This drug is prescribed by doctors in cases where the expected benefit outweighs any risk.
Fenistil is approved for use in the form of a gel, which is effective for dermatological allergic reactions.
However, there are a couple of nuances:
- the gel should not be applied to large areas of the skin, especially if there are damaged areas or bleeding;
- Nursing mothers are prohibited from using the product on their nipples.
Among the second generation drugs, Allergodil can also be distinguished. It comes in the form of eye drops and nasal spray. The basis of the medication is azelastine hydrochloride. This substance has been tested. The results showed that the drug can be used during lactation, but only in extreme cases when the possible benefit outweighs the estimated risk.
Third generation drugs
Of the third generation drugs, Zyrtec can be used in tablet form. The active substance is cetirizine dihydrochloride. Studies have shown that this component is excreted in breast milk in a volume of 25-90% of the concentration of the drug in the blood plasma. At the same time, cetirizine is not dangerous for the child, but caution must still be observed in using the medication. Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Another approved drug of the third generation is Telfast in tablet form. The active substance is fexofenadine hydrochloride. This component passes into breast milk in small quantities. For this reason, breastfeeding was not included in the list of contraindications.
Release form and composition
Available in two dosage forms.
Tablets are white or almost white, round, flat-cylindrical, scored and chamfered. Packed in contour cells of 10 pieces and polymer jars of 10, 20 and 25 pieces.
| Pills | 1 tab. |
| Mebhydrolin | 50 mg |
| Excipients: lactose monohydrate, refined sugar, potato starch, calcium stearate, low molecular weight medical polyvinylpyrrolidone. | |
Dragee is white in color, regular spherical shape, with an even, smooth and uniformly colored surface. In a cross section, two layers are visible. Packed in contour cells of 10 pieces.
| Dragee | 1 dragee |
| Mebhydrolin | 50 mg |
| Excipients: sucrose, starch syrup, talc, yellow wax, sunflower oil. | |
Prohibited drugs
The group of prohibited drugs includes Suprastin. The active ingredient in the composition is chloropyramine. It is quickly absorbed in the intestines and distributed throughout the body, including into breast milk. May negatively affect the infant's central nervous system.
You cannot take Tavegil during lactation. The active ingredient is clemastine. This component passes into breast milk in small quantities. However, even a small dose can cause harm to the child and cause toxic effects in him.
Another prohibited drug is Diazolin. The active ingredient is mebhydrolin. The drug is not prescribed to nursing women due to side effects.
"Diazolin" can:
- cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, manifested by heartburn, nausea, pain in the epigastric region;
- negatively affect the central nervous system and cause dizziness, drowsiness, increased fatigue, blurred vision;
- cause dry mouth and urinary retention.
Preventing allergies while breastfeeding
To avoid harm to your child with medications, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Avoid food allergens. Favorite sweets, vegetables and fruits can cause an unusual reaction after childbirth. It is allowed to switch to a normal diet when the child is approximately 1 year old. At this age, mother's milk occupies a small share in the children's diet.
- Prepare food from natural products, do not use food additives, flavorings, or preservatives.
- Maintain cleanliness in the living area. Often allergies develop due to accumulated dust. It is worthwhile to ventilate your home daily, do wet cleaning, and regularly wash curtains and bed linen.
- Monitor your body's reaction to pets. If there was no allergy to them in the past, this does not mean that it will not appear after the birth of the child.
- Use household chemicals with caution or purchase special hypoallergenic products.
- Do not overuse decorative cosmetics.
Doctor Komarovsky's opinion
Dr. Komarovsky notes that the main point of using antihistamines is to prevent and/or eliminate allergy symptoms. However, you should not use medications in cases where an undesirable reaction can be avoided (if the irritant is known).
Antihistamines during lactation are not harmless. Each of them has a list of contraindications and side effects. Even medications belonging to the third generation and considered modern and as safe as possible can negatively affect the condition of the mother and baby. For example, Telfast causes headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and insomnia in some people. If you cannot avoid allergies, you should consult a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous for mother and child. Only a specialist can select the safest medications and dosages.
Instructions for use
It is important to know the rules for using the medication to avoid the side effects described above. The tablets are sold without a prescription; each package must contain instructions for Diazolin, which describe all the indications for the use of the drug and the dosage for different ages.
For children
The release form for this age group is granules in a bottle. Diazolin for children is mixed in 100 ml of warm water. Mix the contents thoroughly and stir for several minutes. The resulting suspension must be poured into a graduated glass to accurately determine the dose. The product should be taken for a week after meals. Be sure to shake the suspension first. According to the instructions, the following rules for using the medicine for a child are outlined:
- children's age 3 years – 2.5 ml;
- children's age 4-6 – 5 ml;
- age 7-10 years – you need to give 7.5 ml.
For adults
All people over 12 years of age take this medication in the same dosage. Diazolin for adults is taken 2 times a day in a dosage of 100 mg. At one time, the dose should not exceed 300 mg, the maximum daily value is 600 mg. The instructions for use, which are in the packaging of the medicine, describe in detail how to take Diazolin for adults. The duration of the course of treatment is determined individually by the doctor.
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This is a relatively strong antiallergic drug, so taking medications while pregnant is highly undesirable. It is strictly prohibited to use it in the second and first trimester. Diazolin is also contraindicated during breastfeeding, because the active substance can enter the bloodstream through the intestines and pose a threat to the baby. For a child under 3 years of age, the medicine will be dangerous even in the quantities contained in breast milk.
The pharmaceutical drug must be consumed with food or immediately after taking it.
Release form: the drug can be in the form of dragees or tablets of 50-100 mg.
Adult patients are prescribed from 50 to 200 mg at a time, at least three times a day, depending on the severity of the symptoms of the disease.
In children, starting from 3 years, 25 to 50 mg is recommended. Diazolin 1-3 times during the day.
The recommended dose of diazolin is 100 to 200 mg per day. Your doctor may increase this dosage to 600 mg.
The duration of the treatment course is selected individually in accordance with the severity of the disease and its course.
Diazolin is ineffective for angioedema and anaphylactic shock, since it does not have a rapid effect, and these conditions require emergency medical intervention.
In addition, it is important to consider that tablets can enhance the activity of sedative medications that have a hypnotic and sedative effect.
It is worth special mentioning the use of diazolin during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. During these conditions, the patient may be prescribed antihistamines and, in particular, diazolin, if allergic symptoms pose a threat to the patient’s life. However, the use of the drug is permitted only under the supervision of the attending physician.
When prescribing diazolin during this crucial period for a woman, the attending physician must exercise maximum caution, having previously familiarized himself with the course of pregnancy.
As a rule, pregnant women should take 1 tablet per day with food, unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor. It is important to consider that these tablets have the most prolonged (long-lasting) effect among drugs in this group. This is an important factor when choosing a drug to relieve allergies during pregnancy.
Any drug treatment should be selected only by a doctor, therefore independent withdrawal or replacement of diazolin is strictly prohibited! This can lead to serious health complications.
Sometimes, if a drug is used incorrectly to relieve allergy symptoms, an overdose is observed, manifested by the following symptoms:
- throbbing headache radiating to the temporal region;
- sudden dizziness accompanied by loss of consciousness;
- complete inhibition of the patient, up to stupor;
- altered mental consciousness;
- In addition, tablets and pills taken in excess of the norm can impair coordination of movements.
First aid for a drug overdose consists of urgent gastric lavage to remove toxic substances from the body. Further treatment of allergies is carried out in accordance with the symptoms.
The drug in tablets and dragees is used after meals.
How to take for adults? Children from twelve years of age, as well as adults, use the drug once or twice a day at a dose of 100-200 mg. The maximum single dose for adults should be 300 mg; adults can take 600 mg of Diazolin per day. Children five to twelve years old can take 50 mg two to three times daily.
Children's Diazolin is used as follows: 100 ml of warm boiled water is added to the bottle containing the granules. The contents must be mixed very thoroughly, for which you need to stir for several minutes. After this, the suspension is given to children in doses that can be easily determined using the supplied graduated glass.
Overdose increases the likelihood of side effects. In this situation, the drug is discontinued and symptomatic therapy is carried out, as well as gastric lavage.
- Diazolin is recommended to be taken after the main meal, but can also be taken before meals. The tablet or pill must be taken with a sufficient amount of water.
- Ages up to 2 and up to 5 years, use only tablets or dragees of 50 mg, dosage: twice a day.
- Children aged 5-10 years should take the drug at a dose of 50 mg, but only three times a day.
- Children over 10 years of age can use 100 mg as treatment. You need to take 1 tablet or 3 tablets per day, depending on the severity of the disease.
- Adults also take 100 mg in the same dosage.
- The daily dosage of the drug is: 600 mg, note that this is the maximum dose.
- Single dosage: 300 mg.
- It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that Diazolin cannot be used in conjunction with other sedatives, alcohol or other energy drinks.
- The course of treatment depends on the disease, as well as on its severity, but often a positive effect occurs after 5 days.
- If after treatment there are no results within one week, then you need to consult a doctor so that he can prescribe an analogue or another drug.
If you take this antihistamine incorrectly, then the main side effects may intensify. In this case, it is necessary to carry out gastric lavage as soon as possible. Also, if necessary, the patient should undergo symptomatic treatment.
Diazolin and its analogues should be taken orally with meals. There is no need to chew the drug; it is recommended to drink it with plenty of water.
- Adults are prescribed one tablet (100 mg dosage) three times a day;
- Children take one tablet (50 mg dosage) twice a day.
The duration of the course of treatment may vary, but on average it is 5 days.
The price of Diazolin is 90 rubles. You can buy it in a regular pharmacy or in an online store; it is not a rare drug.
A single dosage of tablets and yeast for adults is 100-200 mg 1-2 times a day. An increase to 300-600 mg per day is allowed.
Diazolin is taken during or immediately after a meal, washed down with a sufficient amount of clean still water.
The average duration of the treatment course is 5 days. It can take up to 7-8 days, taking into account the existing symptoms and the nature of the disease.
The drug is prone to addiction, so it is not used for more than 10 days in a row. If allergy symptoms do not go away, then you should consult a doctor to replace it with another similar antihistamine.
If side effects appear from taking Diazolin, then most likely the cause is an overdose. In this situation it is worth:
- discontinue Diazolin;
- rinse the stomach;
- go to the clinic for symptomatic therapy.
