Personal Question

Hi M.,

I agree with most of the others as far as getting a second and third opinion if needed. That is not normal. I have too many young friends getting different breast cancers, and thier Drs not taking thier symtoms seriously. Try the Lanolin ointment too. Best of luck to you!

Mel

M. this sounds like an infection and I would highly suggest, like others to get a second opinion. Three years is way too long to have this going on.

Our bodies change after birth so yours might still be reacting to something missing or present.

Don't take one doctors advice.

Best of luck.

Lansinoh is the highest quality grade lanolin on the market, and it is endorsed by La Leche League for those whose nipples get a workout. i would try that, and wearing a pad or a bandaid over your nipples while working out to prevent further chafing.

I was told to try pure Lanolin.

Good luck! Hope you heal quickly!

It may be that your workouts are causing nipple chafing. Long distance runners often have this problem. You could try band aids over your nipples and see if that helps.

Otherwise perhaps a yeasty-type low-grade infection. I would demand that your doctor take you seriously or find a new doctor. It is unconscionable that your doctor would ignore your pain.

The cream Jennifer is talking about is made by Lansinoh. It comes in a purple tube. My first son was a rough nurser and I used this stuff and it was a life (boob) saver! If I didn't put it on before the shower, I was yelling in pain when the hot water hit my nipples.

Hope that helps.

T.

M.:

I suggest "nipple cream" by Motherlove.

It is available at whole goods/ walsh homeopathic.

P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

Hi M.,

There is a compound called All-Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO) made by Ballins Pharmacy on Lincoln Avenue. You need a prescription but this may offer some relief.

Regards,
K.

Three years is a long time for chapped nipples. sounds like something else is going on, and it probably needs to be looked at. I'd also get a second opinion if your doctor is still not seeming concerned.

Hi,

There is an oitment that you can use. Women who are breast feeding use it on their nipples. I can't think of the name of it, but you can find it at most stores in the baby section. You just dab a little on and it helps with cracking which will help with the soreness. It's especially made for that kind of thing.

May sound strange, but when my nipples became cracked, my lactation consultant suggested rubbing my expressed breast milk on them. It helped cure them immediately. Maybe if you find a friend that has an ounce of expressed milk they can spare and you can use?? I also use my milk for zits I get, and by the next morning they are gone. Breastmilk is "gold" in my opinion.

1. Definitely get another opinion since this sounds more serious then thrush (yeast infection that can happen on your nipples).

2. In the meantime, if the Lansinoh hasn't worked or you can't find it, try this technique my midwife suggested:

Brew some regular Lipton tea using tea bags, then place the used tea bags on your nipples. The tea WILL STAIN so put an old cloth over them. Apparently the tannin in the tea helps the healing process. I did this when I had cracked, bleeding nipples and the results were nothing short of amazing.

Eczema can also occurr on nipples, so try some of the creams the others suggested. Lanisoh really helped me. Neosporin is for infections, so that is not going to do anything. You need hydration.

Some forms of breast cancers, called Paget's, can manifest first as a scab/lesion on the nipple. Maybe seek a 2nd opinion to be sure?

I would try the ointment for breastfeeding mothers. It is supposed to help with the skin and pain. I would think that would help control the cracking.