WEIRDEST Symptoms... Google can't even get me info.

[Calliope84]

Ok, so I posted a while back that I had a rash or something on both my nipples. First, one got swollen right where she latched. Then the other one caught up and they both felt dry, swollen and rashy. This has been going on for over a month. At first, I tried tea tree oil in creams and such which just irritated my skin. I tried a probiotic paste that made them feel a little better and I even tried sterile Manuka honey. Nothing worked, so I've just been using Lanolin on them constantly for the last month.

Lanolin has helped a tiny bit but they are cracked a get tiny blisters/rash on them daily. They just won't heal.

Since whatever it is didn't seem to get into my boob (like thrush or a bacterial infection might?), I started thinking that DD changed her latch because she is teething or that her teething saliva is what is irritating my nipples. She has a slight teething rash from her own drool on her cheek and neck. Also, my cycles came back, so I thought maybe it is somehow hormonal...but... 

Last night, I put Lanolin on them  like usual and then (also like usual) I put some leftover lanolin on my lips. Well, I woke up with puffy lips and a strip on my lower lip that was extra inflamed and red looking... swollen and rashy looking just like my nipples looked when they first started puffing up.

Am I allergic to Lanolin? It makes no sense to me, since I used it a lot in the first 2 months we were breastfeeding and nothing happened. 

I have googled everything I can think of and I can't find ANYTHING. We are going to the peds this afternoon, but can the ped really help me? I probably need to go to my own doctor and I have no clue what doctor to call. An allergist? A dermatologist? I definitely don't expect a regular Primary Care Dr to know what the heck this is.

[MindfulBirth]

What happens when you stop using the Lanolin for a week?   It is possible to become sensitized to something and suddenly be allergic.  Did you switch brands of lanolin? Are you using purified lanolin or something else?

Don't switch to a different cream - many of the non-lanolin ones have tons of ingredients and you don't want to have to start guessing what ELSE you might be allergic to.     If your nippes are sore, just put breastmilk on them and let them air dry.

If it doesn't clear up with discontinued use of the lanolin (which seems to be your culprit, given the swollen lips), you should see your PCP and get a referal to a dermatologist.  Meanwhile, you could try taking Benedryl - just be aware that it can cause milk supply issues.

[Heba]

Dermatitis?  I'm wondering if it might be linked to your little one starting solids (I don't know how old she is). Sometimes mums get a skin reaction to the particles of food left in their little one's mouth, which can be helped by rinsing out the baby's mouth after every complementary feed.

I'm glad you're seeing a doctor...but yes, I suspect that you might need to see a dermatologist or gynacologist with experience and expertise working with bf mums, and/or an IBCLC.

Good luck, and I hope you get this figured out.  Please let us know how you get on.

xx

[Heba]

Did the pediatrician have any suggestions?

[HappyMonkey]

Lanolin comes from sheep wool obviously, which is often highly treated with chemicals. The wrong lanolin can be a toxic brew.. maybe the brand/batch you have is really high in something bothering you? Could it be a yeast infection? Strange it would transfer so fast though to your lips... good luck figuring it out.

[Calliope84]

I agree about an infection transferring like that. It seems I may just suddenly be allergic to Lanisoh. I used 3 different tubes of the stuff, so I'd think it'd be different batches? My DD has been nursing for a month with the Lanisoh with no rash or anything on her mouth.

The Pediatrician (also a lactation consultant and very into natural remedies) said:

1.) An Allergic reaction: Try just creams for 3-5 days to see if it gets better once stopping Lanisoh. She said coconut oil and calendula cream or Vaseline. I bought those two then decided to stick with Vaseline because I've always used that with no issues.

2.) Or a combination yeast / bacterial infection. She gave me prescriptions for antibacterial / antifungal / antihistamine creams.

3.) As a last possibility: Autoimmune psoriasis. She didn't really think this one, but it kind of looked like it to her. I've never had any skin issues, so it isn't likely..

I've been washing my nipples after every feeding and using the Vaseline for a day and my nipples already look almost a normal pink and not bright red. My lips, however... OUCH! They are covered in a rash that is tiny tiny blisters. It hurts to smile talk and eat. I hope it is healing and not getting worse. They feel swollen.

Oh, and also: I mentioned how the LLL book says not to wash your nipples with soap and she told me that all the moms she gets in there with infections are quoting her that, so she doesn't agree with it. I always just washed around them and let soap and water get on them, but never purposely scrubbed them. I don't know if she is right or wrong since mine so far seems to be an allergic reaction. I also discontinued my old body wash for a new one this week....