Dear Nancy, This seems so ridiculous!! I had those type-after my son-all the nurses came in to peek because I had the worst someone ever had seen, and, you guessed it, they were kind enough to pass it on!!! I have used, prescribed by several docs, all who knew I was nursing, the prescr variety of cortisone based suppositories and creams. Also the OTC varieties. One thing that helped most was not using dry paper to wipe-a dab of baby lotion or hand lotion, or water on the tissue-or there is a cleansing lotion specifically for this. Also the witch hazel moistened pads(I use a lot of store brands so names elude me!!) or 2X2 gauze wet with witch hazel, as a compress or to wipe. Hope this helps!! BTW, this sounds like one of the worst examples of Dr. Jack's phrase of"sacrificing BF"--wow! Just read Donna Z's reply-that was how I felt, too!!<<WHAT?!!!!!! THIS IS NUTS!>> ----------------------- As for the baby with herpes-isn't it unlikely? trying to think how he would get it-tho a microbiology prof I had in college did say relatives slobbering all over kissing kids are a way to pass it on--but it should be tested for I would think, or rule out other more common causes, If mom is exposed at the breast her immune system may kick in with antibody-like interferon against it... pondering.. ------ Oh, and KBB-could this be my excuse for being scatterbrained??<<It is possible for your mind to be so open that your brain falls out.>> Georgeanne Mattise, LLLL MT mostly MOM