Ana,
It really could be yeast.  Especially if you think the cracks resemble
paper cuts.  I often see yeast present this way when it has been going
untreated for a long time. I also often see it in African American
women with thicker nipples.  Want a word to describe nipples with lots
of 'wrinkles' but that word is not coming in now. Haha.  But all those
little hiding places made for a happy yeast world.  The appearance of
yeast is not always the typical pink nipples, just the pain and the
paper cut looking cracks around the base that were sometimes pulled
open by the nursing.  Painful big time.

I wonder if mom's own immune system has been compromised recently or
if she has symptoms of yeast infection in other parts of her body.
Ditto the baby.  Gas?

Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
SE Florida

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