This question is for breastfeeding moms?

Question

I have been breastfeeding my son for four months now. I am not in any pain what so ever. I have noticed a small red rash on the outside outer edges of my breast. It does not itch and my son does not have thrush. It will go away some and get brighter sometimes too. It has been there for about a week. I also have been getting little red dots under my skin on my breast like a bruise almost. They are about the size of an eraser. My question is have any of you ever encountered this or anything similar? What did you do to correct this? Any information is appreciated.

I had a benign lump cut out of one 4.5 years ago. I am somewhat wondering about breast cancer. Maybe this should be posted in HEALTH instead. I take my baby to the doctor for shots Monday. If not better by then, I will see the doctor myself.

Thank you all ladies for your answers and time. I am going to get it checked out and I contacted a LLL via email. I hate to pick between you all as best so, I will leave it to the voters.

Thank you!

Answer 1

I have been breastfeeding for 20 months and attending La Leche League even when I was pregnant, and I have never heard of anything that sounds quite like that.

However, from the way you are describing the location of it (around the outer edges) I wonder if it could be an allergy possibly to your bra or maybe to the detergent you are using when you wash your bra? Have you changed detergents, perfumes, or tried a new style of nursing bra recently or anything like that?

I would definitely consider contacting your doctor or a La Leche League Leader in your area. Contacting LLL and getting help from them is free and usually leaders are very friendly! With the link below, you can find your local LLL and you can also click on "Ask Your Own Question" and email this question to LLL online. That might be easy and definitely worth it!
http://www.lalecheleague.org/resources/assistance.html?m=0,0

Answer 2

You may have mastitis which is an inflammation of the breast that can be caused by obstruction, infection and/or allergy. Mastitis may come on abruptly, and usually affects only one breast.

There may be red streaks extending outward from the affected area. Typical mastitis symptoms include a fever of 101.3°F (38.5°C) or greater, chills, flu-like aching, malaise and systemic illness.

Mastitis is easily treated with antibiotics that you can get from your doctor. For more information on mastitis and other common breastfeeding ailments you can check out http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Good luck!

Answer 3

I never encountered anything like this and I nursed both of my sons over a year.
I agree with those who say talk to your doctor just be on the safe side.

Answer 4

Hm... No, I haven't encountered this...

I would probably treat it like thrush anyway (wash with vinegar, give it lots of air-time, consider rubbing with tea tree oil), just because that's likely to kill anything (fungal, viral, or bacterial) that could be there.

Could also be something like excema or psoriasis -- skin conditions that are just "there", and come & go. (I don't know a lot about these, but know they're not caused by infection, and come & go like you describe.)

Get thee to a lactation consultant! And if she can't help, to a dermatologist.

Answer 5

No experience with anything like that, best to have it checked out with your health care provider. Good going with the nursing and keep it up until he gets teeth.

Answer 6

You definitely have to get it checked out by your doctor. You could develop an infection.

Answer 7

If it were me, I would have my doctor check it out.

I notice more bruise-like tiny marks when I'm pumping, but they fade pretty quickly, and they're much smaller than what you're describing.