Hi ladies. I really appreciate any advice or support on this.
Background: I'm on vacation for the summer away from my doctor (who is old and a man and pretty clueless about mom issues) and I live in Norway where they are very pro breastfeeding but don't have LCs or so on. Almost three weeks ago I started getting itchy nipples, first one then the other. I used a vinegar wash. Slowly it turned into a little worse rash, pink and shiny. No symptoms in DD. Thought it was thrush, so began using Canesten (clotrimazol) on the nipples. Got worse and worse. Tried sunlight, restricting sugar, etc. Finally I went to the urgent care place last week and the doc said it was staph, probably impetigo. I did have crusty yellow sores all over, as well as a pink raised looking skin covering most of each areola. Gave me abx and nystatin to rub on my nipples after nursing to avoid thrush.
Abx seemed to help a bit but I still have two large open sores, one on each side and very close to the nipple base. They don't seem to be healing. All the other sores did heal or at least have crusted over and seem to be healing. DD (6mo) doesn't take a bottle, but I have considered trying to find a pump and trying that (feed her in a sippy cup or somethng?), because every time I feed her, I feel like it inhibits the healing process. I tried nipple shields too and DD would take them, just bit them and hurt me more. I called the urgent care back today and spoke with the nurse; she said my swab came back negative for bacteria. She advised that I continue the course of abx as well as use the nystatin in DDs mouth too. I asked for a salve that would help healing, she said Vaseline. They are very strict here about what goes in the baby, which is good, but also, I really want to heal these! I asked if it was possible to heal them while still breastfeeding and thankfully she said yes but it would take a longer time.
I know there is an old thread on mothering about someone who had dry skin treated with thrush meds that turned into terrible nipple cracks, and I think that might be what I have. I don't care about anything else but healing myself and continuing breastfeeding. To add to my frustration, my mom and my DH are telling me to wean. I told DH how important it is to me to try my best to continue, but he doesn't seem 100% convinced. I am giving the boobs as much airing as possible, and some sunlight, and using lanolin just on the cracks.
Sorry this is so long. I feel pretty alone and frustrated. Thanks for listening!
Background: I'm on vacation for the summer away from my doctor (who is old and a man and pretty clueless about mom issues) and I live in Norway where they are very pro breastfeeding but don't have LCs or so on. Almost three weeks ago I started getting itchy nipples, first one then the other. I used a vinegar wash. Slowly it turned into a little worse rash, pink and shiny. No symptoms in DD. Thought it was thrush, so began using Canesten (clotrimazol) on the nipples. Got worse and worse. Tried sunlight, restricting sugar, etc. Finally I went to the urgent care place last week and the doc said it was staph, probably impetigo. I did have crusty yellow sores all over, as well as a pink raised looking skin covering most of each areola. Gave me abx and nystatin to rub on my nipples after nursing to avoid thrush.
Abx seemed to help a bit but I still have two large open sores, one on each side and very close to the nipple base. They don't seem to be healing. All the other sores did heal or at least have crusted over and seem to be healing. DD (6mo) doesn't take a bottle, but I have considered trying to find a pump and trying that (feed her in a sippy cup or somethng?), because every time I feed her, I feel like it inhibits the healing process. I tried nipple shields too and DD would take them, just bit them and hurt me more. I called the urgent care back today and spoke with the nurse; she said my swab came back negative for bacteria. She advised that I continue the course of abx as well as use the nystatin in DDs mouth too. I asked for a salve that would help healing, she said Vaseline. They are very strict here about what goes in the baby, which is good, but also, I really want to heal these! I asked if it was possible to heal them while still breastfeeding and thankfully she said yes but it would take a longer time.
I know there is an old thread on mothering about someone who had dry skin treated with thrush meds that turned into terrible nipple cracks, and I think that might be what I have. I don't care about anything else but healing myself and continuing breastfeeding. To add to my frustration, my mom and my DH are telling me to wean. I told DH how important it is to me to try my best to continue, but he doesn't seem 100% convinced. I am giving the boobs as much airing as possible, and some sunlight, and using lanolin just on the cracks.
Sorry this is so long. I feel pretty alone and frustrated. Thanks for listening!
