Something new...in over twenty years, I have not encountered this and wonder
if any of you have.   A happily nursing mom who has been happily pumping with
a hospital grade light weight pump at work developed lesions on both breasts.
These (as described by the mother) appeared after using the pump for two
weeks.  Upon placing the shields on the breasts, within moments, she feels
irritation, develops"red lines" that go on to look like "cuts" , then open and
even begin bleeding.  This is on the areolar/nipple junction on both breasts.
Her physician dx it as a contact dermatitis caused by the hard plastic
shields.  He put her on a topical cortisone which cleared it up promptly. (How
about the baby ingesting this?)  Upon reusing the pump (cleaned and sterilized
parts), it recurs everytime.  She is working and wants to and needs to keep
using the pump.  I am now looking into getting a glass shield for her, and in
the meantime suggested she place a thin white cloth (like a hankerchief with a
hole cut in it to keep the plastic off her breasts). I told her this may
affect vacuum. I do not know what the plastic is made of, but will check with
the company and get more info.

Have any of you seen this, and do you any other suggestions? She is a super
person and naturally quite distressed when everything else is going so very
well.

Linda Pincus, RN, IBCLC