Itchy Boob Rash - HELP ME!!!

[triple07]

OK, so this morning I got up to go visit Thierry before they closed up his chest. And I noticed that my right boob itched a lot. And it didn't go away throughout the day. It just itched more and more. So tonight as I was trying to itch it while being inconspicuous I noticed that it was super red and a little bit swollen!!! So I went to the bathroom to get a better look in the mirror and my right breast is ALL red and swollen except where the breast pad is (which is a reusable, organic cotton one ) and itches like crazy. I thought mastitis but when I looked up pictures and symptoms it didn't sound like it matched what I was (am) going through. So please help me figure it out.

DH said it might be the bra, which is a little bit too small now (its a bravado sports bra type nursing bra but usually fits like a C/small D size and I am now like a DD or small DDD :

[PassionateWriter]

sounds like a skin irritation. has your detergent changed? odd that is only where your breast pad was NOT.

[triple07]

Hmmm, well we recently changed from Tide (ugh) to All Free & Clear and now are using Purex Free & Clear because I read that was better than All

[leurMaman]

Can you call a lactation consultant or midwife? With the red swollen tissue I worry that it might be a start to thrush (although usually you feel sharp pain upon let down with this) or mastitis (which doesn't tend to itch, but appears as red streaks and often makes you run a fever). I've dealt with those several times, but the itchiness seems different. Perhaps PP is right about detergent and rash. I would still check in with LLL or an expert to make sure that you figure out what it is right away. Does Lanisoh help? Is it something in the pad?

[Marcela]

No matter what the cause is, if it's infection or skin sensitvity, a castor oil compress might bring some relief. Just find some cotton cloth and douse it with the oil and put it right on there. It's good for overall infamation. I'd change out the bra and perhaps show it to a lactation consultant or even a chinese medicine practitoner/ acupuncturist. They usually can help you move this type of stuff quick! Good luck, and blessings to your beautiful boy today after his procedure.

[TaraRae82]

: My first thought was to find a lactation consultant too.

[triple07]

Thanks, I am looking up LCs in my area right now! This thing is a PITA!!! Or I guess PITB... (boob not butt )

[crosscat]

Good luck, Maryann!

[jlbaby]

triple, i'm so sorry to hear this! i've been having major itchy boob rash for the past month or so, but it's mainly under my boobs. i have found that burt's bees Res-Q balm provides almost instant relief from the itching and redness (and i get little white bumps too) - the itching almost drives me insane! i sure hope you find relief very soon!!!!

[triple07]

Thanks! Well, I think that it might be hives, Im thinking caused by my super duper tight bras. So tomorrow I am going to buy new gignormous bras and I bought Benadryl and have taken it a couple times and it made the itching go away so now there is just a dull pain, which I can deal with. And best of all, hives isn't contagious and I can still breastfeed Petri and pump for Thierry. I talked to a LC from WIC...

[motherofaugust]

Bra Itch

Victoria secret is doing a recall on a bra and you can contact a lawyer right now if you had a bad rash to a bra they had...it has fromaldahyde in it....they use that to to crease free clothing....causes some sever reactions in some...bad rash....

[motherofaugust]

Other possible reasons

scabies....very contagious....

[MadameXCupcake]

I have this too!
I have had it for about four days its driving me nuts. Same detergent we did try a new soap but since its only on part of my one boob I dont think thats it. Its a natural soap and the only thing really different about it is goats milk. I usually am naked around the house: so its not from a bra. I thought it was related to the MRSA I had/have. I just had an epiphany could this be related to antibiotic usage?
I drink raw milk and take some probiotics.. it itches!!!!!