hayfever and breastfeeding

[marscapone]

My hayfever has suddenly hit for the season. However the pharmacist won't give me anything as I'm breastfeeding. What do other breastfeeding mothers do? I don't really want to stay indoors for the next 2 months...

[Pickle]

Piriton is fine to take while breastfeeding, I took it when feeding both of my children (and was prescribed it when pregnant, so it's safe for pregnancy too). It's not the best hayfever medicine but is better than nothing.

[candj]

I second Piriton and also Beconase (sp?) nasal spray. I used both when pregnant as well. Hope this helps. My hayfever has been absolutely dreadful this time.

[anna_r]

When I was pregnant first time around I begged my doctor to let me know what I could take as I was literally sneezing all day. He checked and eventually said piriton was fine. As someone points out, not the best but better than nothing. They won't sell it to you though at the pharmacy if you are pregnant and say it's for yourself so this time round I just lie to the pharmacists and say it's for my husband. Bad hayfever is truly horrible! I had acupuncture for it as well last time I was pregnant but not sure it did much although it may work for some. When I was not pregnant or breastfeeding I was prescribed the hardcore steroids and am looking forward to being able to take them again!!

[GinaG3]

Hi there is a whole page of advice on allergies, including hayfever on the NHS website that might be worth a look.

CLICK HERE!

[ClareC]

I take zirtec, prescribed by my Dr ...... Now I'm paranoid :-(

[marscapone]

Thanks for all the replies. I have just had beconase prescribed by the doctor.

I'm sure the NHS page is not meant to worry us - although I'm sure it's not ideal to take things, I personally feel that taking something is preferable having to stay inside or be a sniffing, vague, exhausted wreck due to hayfever and unable to do anything with baby.

[The Nappy Lady]

I have to take Piriton for a cat allergy and hay fever and have done so during both pregnancies and breast feeding. It's fine, don't worry.

Molly

x

[fairylamb]

Hi I used the Lloyds Hay Fever allergy reliever last year while breastfeeding and it did eventually work. You have to be pretty diligent using it (initially up to 4 times a day for a week before you notice any effect and daily use after that).

http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1008&storeId=90&productId=5383&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=18354&top=&top_category=18352&gclid=CIrukMezuKICFRkJ3wod_jDR6A

[Fuschia]

I had piriton prescribed while pregnant (for itchy skin)

[Smiler]

I had lots of piriton when breast-feeding (weird, severe postnatal all-over rash in the first few weeks after the birth) -the doctor said that the "classic" piriton is an old drug so there's been lots of time to establish that doesn't cause a problem in pregnancy/breastfeeding.