itchy nipple area

[briannas auntie]

Okay, first let me explain the situation, since its different than most of yours.

I am on Domperidone to help with stomach motility (this way, I don't have to be on enteral formula exclusively). I used to be on Reglan for the same problem, but started to get involuntary movement in my arms, so the doctor took me off of it to keep the movement from becoming permanent (this is what those lawsuit commericals for Reglan are all about, in case you didn't know).

Anyway, as many ladies who have tried to induce lactation know, this medicine causes your prolactin levels to skyrocket.  As a result, I have started to produce breastmilk even though I have never had a baby before.  Because I was getting engorged a lot, my doctor suggested that I use an manual pump to pump a little bit of the breastmilk off if I was getting too uncomfortable. I bought a Medela Harmony pump at a local Target store. I have been doing the pumping off and on for the past 3 months.

But, lately, I have noticed that my nipples and areola have been itchy and dry.  I have tried different lotions, but nothing has helped much.  I also tried that Natural Nipple Butter that Earth Mama Angel Baby makes, but sometimes it helps with the itching and sometimes it doesn't.  I don't think this is thrush, but I don't know, since I have never had nipple thrush before  (only oral thrush several yeasrs ago from antibiotics).

Does anyone know what else I can try to relieve the itching?  Its especially worse at night. 

Jessie

[PatioGardener]

Have you seen a doctor? Sometimes Mamas get eczema on their nipples - does that sound like a possibility?

[Llyra]

I wouldn't rule out thrush-- it may very well be that, which means treatment with a topical anti-fungal, ,making sure your nipples and areolae are kept dry (use absorbent bra pads if you tend to leak, for instance, and always air-dry after pumping, and carefully sterilizing all your pump equipment.

Another possibility might be related to chronic dampness-- if you do experience that. You may have something roughly akin to diaper rash, which is just topical irritation from too much wetness.

If it's just dryness, you might try natural lanolin-- Lansinoh, for example. It's expensive, but it's the best solution for cracked or dry nipples that I know of. It can stain clothing, though, so be cautious about that.

[crystal_buffaloe]

I'm mostly going to echo the PP, but ...

"Itchy nipple area" screams thrush to me. I've never had oral thrush, so someone who has might be able to help you, but from what I've read, I don't really think that you could diagnose one based on the way the other feels.

You can search for thrush in the forums here to get some good ideas, and it might not hurt to try some of the remedies -- many are free/cheap and do no harm, so if they help, fantastic, and if they don't, you continue your search.

A vinegar rinse with everything washed and dried on hot (towels, sheets, bras, nursing pads etc.), sterilizing everything (pump parts), applying Lotramin, and air drying/sunshine treatment helped me some.

Good luck, and I hope you get some relief soon!