Have any of you other moms had experience with this? I have a rash on my breasts and nipple area and it's not always the funnest thing to nurse--although it's bearable. Any suggestions for stuff to put on it to heal it that won't hurt baby?

Oweeeeeee!!! :( I know nothing about exzema, but I pray you find answers, soon. [prayer]

[lovesign]

Joy [welcomewave]

Boy that sounds painful :( but I've never heard of that before so I don't have any advice for you. Let us know what you find out and I'll be praying for you.

Stephanie :D

Ouch does sound painful and I didn't experience anything like that either, sorry. Wish I was better help. Prayers for you.

I was just wondering if you are using lanolin. Some people are allergic to it, so you might want to discontinue it if you are using it and see if the rash goes away.

found this by google. http://www.storknet.com/guests/anne24.htm
maybe this might help. Also I don't know if this would help or even if it would be good with Hannah breastfeeding, but what about like some almond oil or some other oil?

Have you checked with the doctor? Katherine had a bit of eczema, but when we went to the doc it ended up being eczema AND a fungal infection (it was on her cheeks)

also try airing out your nipples -- rashes, yeast and the like thrive in warm, damp places. Just walk around topless LOL - I am sure your husband will like that!

I had a bit of a yeast infection on my nipples and red itchies but I just aired them out a lot to dry them up (i was leaking a lot at the time so damp nursing pads), and it cleared right up w/o any other treatment. Sorry if that's TMI. also I changed nursing pads frequently...

Do you have any pain during or after nursing on the inside too? Does Hannah click at all while nursing?
I ask because I had really bad ductal yeast while nursing..for months. Mine was usually only on the inside, and my immediate nipple was red and sore, but I never had an actual rash on the outside. Does Hannah seem to have thrush or any rash on her face or bottom?
I had to take Diflucan (it's the "once only" pill that you take internally for vaginal yeast infections) once a day for about three weeks, about three times because ductal yeast is super hard to get rid of. I really hope you are not getting this, but like Cheesey :D said, airing your nips out, and making sure your nursing pads are dry is a good start. Also watch out for too much soap getting on your nips.
There is also a cream that a compounding pharmacy can make that is specially made for breastfeeding nipples that has a topical pain med, an antifungal med, an antibiotic, and sometimes a topical steriod. If you google it, it is called "all purpose nipple ointmet". Also if it does turn out to be fungal, Gentian Violet is pretty darn good....and it make your kid look like a goth kid for a few hours! LOL!

If it's eczema, I have NO idea how to help..I have only had every OTHER nipple problem known to man...LOL! :wink:

Let us know what comes of this, I am curious now!

Blessings,
Amber

I have eczema and have had it on my chest before, but for some reason it only appears in that area when I am pg. Have you had eczema for a long time and are sure that is what this is?

If you are not 100% sure, you might want to check with a doctor to make sure it is not some other kind of issue that can be treated (or really has to be treated before you or the baby get sick). Generally any eczema medication is a no-no for both pg and nursing moms, but if it is something else there might be something you can take and something the baby has to take also.

I usually use lanolin when I am nursing to keep my skin from drying out. I would probably double check with my doctor to see if plain vaseline or something else would be ok to use if the lanolin alone does not help.

Have you checked with your midwife.. it actually sounds like it could be a yeast infection type rash. I could be way off base... but let me know how you are doing. My DS had severe eczema & was prescribed Elidel, but like stated I don't think they recommend this while nursing. If nervous check with a lactation specialist. They have a handy dandy book that gives the levels of severty on drugs and medicines.

It is definitely eczema. I've been to multiple doctors during my pregnancy. At the beginning of my 2nd trimester of pregnancy I developed it and it's still lingering.

Probably if I stop itching, it will go away, now that I'm not pregnant. I've tried lanolin and that does help some.

It is definitely eczema. I've been to multiple doctors during my pregnancy. At the beginning of my 2nd trimester of pregnancy I developed it and it's still lingering.

Probably if I stop itching, it will go away, now that I'm not pregnant. I've tried lanolin and that does help some.

I prolly sound like a broken record now, but if the lanolin is not helping (i totally slather it on), as the doctor if plain or creamy vaseline is ok while nursing - that is what I put on my hands (and then I wear lite cotton gloves so I don't make a mess all over the house). I put it on my chest also when I was pg, but am not sure if nursing is different.
It made a big difference for me as I itch and scratch like crazy when I can't use my Rx ointments. Dh threatened take the baby's mittens and put them on me so I couldn't scratch anymore. :lol: An Aveeno/oatmeal bath is also safe while nursing/pg and should temporarily be soothing, too.
I love Aveeno lotions, too, but not sure if that is ok for the chest while nursing.

I think that lotions are okay for the chest while nursing as long as they don't get on the nipples. I've tried vaseline but it never helped me too much. My midwife said that she had never seen a skin rash like mine--and she's been in practice over 20 years.

I did end up getting Rx for it, because it got to the point where I couldn't function or sleep and had open sores.

Oh sweetie, I am praying for you. My DS had it soooo bad he also had to have steroids... Your in my prayers!

Oh Ruth I hate to hear that it is that bad. I will be praying for you that you are healed completely,

I think that lotions are okay for the chest while nursing as long as they don't get on the nipples. I've tried vaseline but it never helped me too much. My midwife said that she had never seen a skin rash like mine--and she's been in practice over 20 years.

I did end up getting Rx for it, because it got to the point where I couldn't function or sleep and had open sores.

[hug] Sometimes if I am too itchy for lotion or vaseline (moisturizing can make it easier to open a wound when you scratch even if it would help you heal if you don't scratch), then I try some very cool/cold water on a washcloth and place it over the area. Usually the cooling will make the itching subside to the point where I can moisturize safely.
I hope you find something that helps with the itching, that is the worst part. - I usually have scabs on my hands all winter because no matter what works everywhere else my hands are always exposed to something - cold, wind, water, soap - that makes my skin just crack open even if I don't scratch.

I still PTL that my eczema is not the most severe kind - my dermatologist told me that some people have it so badly all over they can't really shower and it hurts to even wear clothes.

Do you know what kind of eczema/dermatitis you have? I have atopic, seborrheic and once I had a dyshidrotic flare-up but it never came back (thank God!). That kind is gross, your skin just peels off like a snake's :?

The dermatologist said that it was atopic. During pregnancy I had red itchy streaks on my face and now they're gone. PTL. It was hormone related for sure.