psoriasis and breast feeding

[sussx2]

I have had Psoriasis for the last 10 years and I am expecting my first child in two months. Since being pregnant I have not taken any of the my medication and my P has gotten worse especially in areas that I have not had it before.

Has anyone out there had psoriasis around their breast and continued to breast feed their baby? I was told I could still do it however, it could be more painful to me. I was just concerned with it being sanitary and not passing anything along to the baby.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated

Thanks!

[cheryluk]

Hello,

I don't have any experience either with this problem, but I'm writing to let you know that I'm in exactly the same situation as yourself.

I've had psoriasis, mostly severe, for the last 3 years, and like you, I am expecting my first baby in 2 months!

I seem to be one of those minority cases where my psoriasis has gotten much worse during my pregnancy, including starting now on my breasts. (So is it the pregnancy that makes it worse, or the fact that I too have stopped all treatments?)

I have been thinking very hard about the future, including breastfeeding. Until recently, I was determined to breastfeed for all the major health advantages: more digestable for baby, baby is statistically less prone to allergies and respiratory infections, bonding issues, etc. However, one key "advantage" is making me rethink this: your breast milk "helps" babies by boosting their immune system with your own: you pass your own antibodies to the baby which is theory gives him a head start on fighting infections.

So while psoriasis can never be passed on through contact (so don't worry about that), I am wondering if I will be passing on "faulty" antibodies to the baby? (This is purely conjecture, I don't understand enough to know if this can be possible.)

I do know that I may have already passed on the genetic triggers to my baby and I already feel very guilty about this. However,
I know that I haven't passed on my faulty immune system directly, as this can't cross the placenta. (Blood, both white and red, antibodies, etc, cannot cross the placenta...baby's entire blood supply is completely generated by himself, first by his liver as a foetus, and later on, by his bone marrow like ourselves. This is why AIDS mothers don't pass on AIDS to their babies, unless their blood is mixed during birth.)

So anyways, I don't have any proof that my thinking is logical, but I'm guessing that for once, modified cow's (or soya) milk might actually by less risky to my baby than my own milk.

Since no one knows, there is no right decision, but if you want to keep in touch as we go through the same experiences, reply here and we'll swap email addresses.

Best of luck on your beautiful baby!

Cheryl

[rhop]

Hi - Just a note from an RN with severe p and pa - I don't think there is anything to be worried about in "passing along faulty antibodies" - you have done a lot of research, obviously, and are very knowledgeable - but I urge you to discuss this with your dermy or rheumy or a lactation expert - the benefits of breast feeding so outweigh almost any other concern, that I wouldn't worry about it at all. I had 3 children after having had p for years, and none of them have it, and they were all breastfed. I think that the antibodies aren't faulty - they are reacting to a faulty process going on in your body. Your baby already has your genes, but it takes more than just genetic predisposition to get p. Usually there is some severe physical or emotional stress on the body, and possibly a viral trigger, and when all the elements come together in any given individual, POW - the big P. (This is my unscientific summary of my understanding of what we currently know about it.) So relieve stress by breastfeeding those beautiful babies - you cannot give them a better gift. The immunity they receive against so many far more damaging diseases in their early months from breastmilk is really a boon to their future wellbeing, and the bonding is really, really special. By the way, I was breastfed eons ago, as were all my siblings, and I am the only one anywhere in my family with the big p.

Of course we worry about being good parents, but there are anough things out there to worry about without letting p become one of them. My only grandbaby is 8 mo. old, and I sometimes worry that my genetic contribution to her through my daughter, plus her daddy having mild p on his hands also, will doom her later in life. Well, all the worry in the world won't change anything, so I chucked that one out the window and just enjoy her! Hopefully by the time she is grown, we will all be cured!! Best wishes to you all.
Rosemary

[Skinny]

Hi,

I have breastfed both my children for extended lengths of time (over 3 years for each child). I developed psoriasis on my nipples during my first pregnancy. I'd had it for 26 years, but never there before. I was determined to breastfeed because of health advantages. I consulted with both lacatation consultant, ob/gyn, and dermotologist. For the most part, I got through just fine. There were a few rough spots but never enough to make me consider stopping nursing. At times the psoriais was worse than others. For a few months during that time period I did a stent of UV light treatments. Also, at times (under direction of dr and you should not use anthing like this unless you do consult with your dr first),I used a mild steroid cream on my nipples after feedings. I did this usually at night, when there would be a longer stretch between feedings and usually I only had to do this for a day to two to get things down to a managable level.

Unfortunately, some people (medical professionals included) still put up barriers to breastfeeding, and psoriasis is another challenge to deal with, but stand firm! Get support! Contact La Leche League and get in touch with a CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANT who will support you. It can make all difference. Hang in there -- it can be done. I've got two lovely children to prove it and my nursing experience is a wonderful memory that I would not let my psoriasis take away from me!