Red, Itchy Rash on Both Breasts

I have asked my OB about it and she has no idea. Both the LC and my OB thought mastitis when they first looked at it, but I don't have a fever, chills or anything like that. Plus, I'm on an antibiotic they use for mastitis for another infection. It is so itchy, I can't take it. I ended up pumping and doing bottles, because it was uncomfortable to nurse them last night. I'm going to try to nurse them this morning and see how it goes. Has anyone else had this happen? I have blocked milk ducts on both sides, but not near the rash. Well, I don't think so at least. I feel like the rash is spreading a little too. It is in the same exact spot on both sides. I don't think it's from my bra or new soap or anything like that. I can't figure it out. I've had it for almost a week now and it's getting worse. I've been trying everything to clear the blocked ducts and nothing is working. I took a hot shower and massaged them and I massage at every pump sesssion. I'm going to make an appt. with my PCP for Monday, but I have a feeling she won't know what it is either. My OB said to put Benadryl on it, but I feel nervous that it would get near my nipples and the babies might come in contact with it. Thanks for any advice you may have.

 

Sometimes I get that if my breast pads are damp. I need to let them air dry. Also I know some women get yeast or maybe thrush. Especially with the antibiotics maybe yeast. The best way to clear blocked ducts is to nurse. Also run your fingers along the spot where you think it is pressing hard (it hurts) towards your nipple. Sorry this is all the advice I have, I'm sure more moms will know more. Good luck!

 

I had what sounds the same with three of my other children. I later found out that cream of tartar (yes the stuff in the grocery store) kills yeast. I take 1tsp. 3x's a day mixed in water and also make a paste and put it on my breasts at night time. I am also currently on antibiotics. I noticed today my nipples are starting to get red. A sign for me that the yeast is building up again. So when I am done with the antibiotics, I'll probably step up the cream of tartar to get rid of everything. Also I was told to buy a children's probiotic and put it on my nipples so the babies are getting that for their gut. And a probiotic for myself. It won't hurt you to try cream of tartar. If it doesn't help in a few days you might not be dealing with yeast.

Oh I also boil all my bras first and then wash them in hot water.

http://www.docsprefer.com/creamoftartar.html

 

I never thought that it might be yeast. Interesting. I'll try the cream of tartar. I got the rash the day after I started the antibiotics, so that might make sense. It's strange how it is in the same place on each breast. Maybe it does have something to do with my bras. I'll make sure I wash them in hot, hot water too. I should be stopping the antibiotics in a couple of days, so hopefully it will start to clear up. The blocked milk ducts are another story. I feel like they will never go away. They are on the sides of my breasts, especially the side I sleep on. I've been massaging them like crazy and it's doing nothing. I'm paranoid it will turn into mastitis. I'll keep at it and hopefully they'll clear. Thanks for the advice.

 

Are you massaging when they eat? I have had a couple plugged ducts (sorry for not mentioning this in my other post) and what's worked for me is to change the hold I usually feed them in. For example do a football hold for a couple feedings if you don't normally feed that way. Also when the girls are feeding massage the area as they are feeding. It helps them to draw milk from that area.

Remember antibiotics kill off the good and bad bacteria (flora) in your gut. So if you are dealing with yeast it may actually get worse unless you replenish the good bacteria through yogurt or probiotics. Also if you use cream of tartar and you do get a yeast die off, you might notice your symptoms get worse before they get better, because when the yeast die off they release their toxins. So if your symptoms do get worse, then you can pretty much bet you are dealing with a yeast problem.

I hope this helps you. If you have any more questions, please email me. Pam

 

I occassionally get scaly, red rashes on my breasts that are SOOO itchy. I think it's dry/irritated skin for me. When I had yeast my nipples got red, but it didn't really spread out onto my breasts. I hope your Dr. can help you figure it out and get you feeling better soon! :hug99:

 

Didn't read the other posts, but my strange rashes this time of year always turn out to be poison ivy. Even on my boobs-you get it on your hands, then transfer the oil when you're nursing. Just something to consider

 

How are you doing Christie?

 

The rash is still there. I'm waiting to see if I can get into see my pcp today. I have visiting nurses that come daily for my c-section incision and I asked them about it. They said they aren't sure it's yeast. It doesn't seem to be on my nipples at all. Just around them and towards the middle on each breast. So weird. On the right side of my right breast, there is a red patch too. I stopped my antibiotics on Sat., so I was hoping it would start to go away. We'll see what the doc says. I thought it was strange my OB had no idea what it was. I still have no signs of mastitis, other than the rash, so I'm pretty sure it's not that. I find it feels worse when I nurse. Almost like a reaction to it. My nipples do seem way more sensitive. It almost hurts at first to nurse them now. Who knows? Hopefully, it goes away soon. I'm going to lose my mind.