Can I breastfeed if I have shingles?

Shingles is a skin disease caused by a viral infection. If you are breastfeeding, it generally has no effect on breastfeeding and you can breastfeed without worry. However, when breastfeeding a baby with shingles, you need to take measures to avoid local infection of the affected area to the baby. In fact, to be on the safe side, try not to breastfeed the baby during the illness, and wait until the condition improves before breastfeeding the baby.

Causes of Shingles

Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the varicella virus. The varicella virus remains latent in the host's nerve ganglia after recovery from chickenpox to avoid being destroyed by the immune system. When the host's immunity is weakened, the virus becomes activated and spreads along the nerve dermatomes where it is distributed, causing herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles.

Clinical symptoms of herpes zoster

Although people of any age can get shingles, the disease is more common in older people and those with weaker immune systems. When the disease occurs, pain and numbness will occur in the area where one or several sensory nerves are distributed. Within a few days to three weeks, red spots will develop on the corresponding epidermis, followed by blisters. The most common locations are the chest and back, followed by the area on the face where the trigeminal nerve is distributed.

The fluid in these blisters will turn from clear to turbid, and then scab over and heal. The blisters usually scab over within five to ten days, but the skin often becomes scarred and pigmented, leaving brown spots.

Treatment of shingles

The goal of treating shingles is to relieve symptoms and speed up healing during the acute phase, as well as to reduce the occurrence of sequelae.

The most commonly used antiviral drug at present is called acyclovir. This drug is more confirmed to relieve acute symptoms and accelerate healing. As to whether it can reduce the frequency of the common sequelae "post-herpetic neuralgia", there are different research reports.

During the acute phase, keep the wound clean and do not intentionally break the blisters to avoid secondary bacterial infection. Ask a dermatologist to prescribe local antibiotics and medications. Do not follow folk remedies and apply ointments randomly.

Breastfeeding considerations

Can a nursing mother with shingles breastfeed? If a nursing mother has shingles, she can still breastfeed as long as the newborn does not come into contact with any sore spots. The herpes affected area can be covered with gauze to protect the baby.

The breast milk at this time contains antibodies that can be provided to the baby to reduce the risk of infection, so as long as the baby does not come into contact with herpes during breastfeeding, the mother should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding. If the mother takes acyclovir or pain medication, it will not affect breastfeeding.

What should I do if my herpes sore appears on my nipple or breast?

If the herpes grows on the nipple or breast, it may come into contact with the baby during breastfeeding, and the virus may be transmitted to the baby, so it is recommended to avoid breastfeeding until the herpes on the affected side is healed. Since shingles usually only occurs on one side of the body, you can continue breastfeeding with the healthy breast, but avoid contact between the baby and the herpes affected area. Milk should be removed from the affected breast continuously to avoid excessive engorgement or mastitis.

If the milk can be removed without contact with the herpes sore (using any breast pump or hand expression), the removed milk can be given to the baby. However, if breast milk has come into contact with a herpes sore, it should be thrown away.

Wash your hands before and after breastfeeding and expressing milk

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after expressing milk, and thoroughly sterilize the breast pump before each breastfeeding or expression to ensure strict hygiene, which will help prevent the spread of infection.

Avoid touching the affected area with your baby

Since herpes is spread through contact, you must be very careful not to let your baby come into contact with the herpes sore. If your baby has not been vaccinated against chickenpox, he or she may develop chickenpox if exposed to the virus. Therefore, the most important way to prevent it is to prevent the baby from touching the affected area, and the mother herself should also try to avoid touching the affected area. If you have contact with herpes, be sure to wash your hands frequently to reduce the chance of your family being exposed to the virus.