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Expert Q&A

	By Mary Kay Smith IBCLC, Lactation Consultant

I occasionally have an allergic reaction that makes my skin burn and turn red and my heart race. It usually resolves itself within an hour. I'm worried that the histamines in my system when this happens could be passed to my baby and give her the same reaction I'm having. Is it safe to nurse during or shortly after an allergic episode?

There is no way that a large amount of histamines will be released into the milk by that type of event. Small amounts of histamines are released into the blood stream when an allergic reaction occurs but they are large protein (actually amino acid) molecules which don't pass through the alveolar membrane of the breast. Histamine can also be given IV, it causes some flushing and stimulation of gastric secretions, but the body rapidly adjusts and it is rapidly inactivated in the bloodstream.

Histamines are usually present in the body in normal amounts. However, they cause an exaggerated pharmacological reaction when topically or locally introduced (usually on the skin, such as a burn or a bug bite), so don't be alarmed when you have a rash or reaction to a substance. It is OK to nurse when you have an allergic reaction.

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