While the term "allergy" might not be technically correct, it is possible to experience adverse reactions related to your baby or pregnancy that mimic allergic symptoms. One reported instance highlights this, where a new mum was shocked to discover she was “allergic” to her own baby, after her body erupted in painful blisters and welts during pregnancy.
It's important to clarify what this means:
-
The Issue: The condition described doesn't represent a traditional allergy to the baby's DNA or presence. Instead, it reflects a reaction to something associated with the pregnancy, possibly hormonal changes or fetal cells crossing the placenta and causing an immune response in the mother.
-
Pemphigoid Gestationis: The reference is likely alluding to a condition called Pemphigoid Gestationis (PG), a rare autoimmune blistering disease that occurs during pregnancy and postpartum. PG is not a true allergy in the typical sense but involves the mother's immune system attacking her own skin, triggered by the pregnancy.
-
Symptoms: This condition manifests as blisters and welts, often intensely itchy, typically starting on the abdomen and potentially spreading to other parts of the body.
-
Diagnosis and Treatment: Proper diagnosis is crucial and usually involves a skin biopsy and blood tests. Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications and may include topical or oral corticosteroids.
Therefore, while a mother isn't allergic to the baby in the classical sense, certain pregnancy-related conditions can cause severe skin reactions resembling allergies.