Let's play a game. Name what's wrong with my boob

[beautifulnm]

So after sitting in the same day clinic to have a doctor not even look and tell me my breast is fine to having to quit bf'ing on the left because of excruciating pain and just pump on that side now I have had itching and this morning a wonderful little pustule I opened in the shower. I'm thinking the lactation consultant that sent me to the gyn who didn't look at my breast are all idiots and just giving me the run around. Do any of you have any experience with this or have any ideas? Or I'll just go to the same day clinic again and have a massive tantrum.

[PatioGardener]

Can you describe the time line and exactly what the problems have been (what the pain feels like, when it happens what the breast looks like etc)? Also the age of your child may help too.

[sunnygir1]

Yes, more information might help. Pain and itching make me think yeast, which is fairly simple to work on. I don't know about the pustule, though. I'm also not sure why breastfeeding would hurt more than pumping; maybe your lo has a latch issue. It seems that an LC would want to check that out.

Working on yeast stuff won't hurt either way, here's what I do:

1. Probiotics for mama (acidophilus, etc.) and baby (bifidus, etc.)
2. Stop eating sugar and go easy on refined flour, carbs, fruit, yeast
3. Clean your breasts (spray or wipe) with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water (1 part vinegar to 5 parts water...dilute it more if it stings too much) after each time you breastfeed, and let them air dry as much as possible.

If it is yeast, or if yeast is a factor, you should notice a change within a week or so. I always continue these for at least a month after symptoms are gone.

[JayJay]

Could it be an internal boil? It is possible to develop a boil under the skin just totally randomly - also, this could develop from some kind of nasty getting into the boob via a milk duct. That would then germinate an infection and that would turn into a boil.

Now I know it's not a boob, but this happened to my ex husband - on the back of his leg. Skinny guy, got something nasty in through a hair follicle. By the time it had to be removed via emergency surgery, it was the size of a lemon...

Again I say, not boob. BUT if it were something like this (which could have an external pustule-like opening) the pain would vary between a throbbing, intense pain and more of a stabbing pain. Also there might be feelings of pressure inside the boob as well.

But then without a proper look, it's hard to say. Just another idea to throw out there. Hope you feel 100% very soon, mama. XX

[kriket]

are there teeth involved yet?

I had an itchy nipple and what could be described as a 'pustule' right where the nipple meets the areola. I think it was from his newly sprouted bottom teeth. Like a blister, but not quite a bite (I don't think)

Any who, it hurt like all get out, and I literally cried every time he nursed. Pumping that side instead of nursing made it feel "better" ie, I didn't want to cry *out loud*

It healed, and we're fine now. You will get through it whatever it is. Call your LLL leader.

Oh and if you do go back to the clinic, I vote you go in with your top off. They can't not look at it then!