I also have seen a mastitis present with an overall sunburn look and a fever of 105 is possible with mastitis.  The white area could be the blanching the skin can do when so overly distended with edema.  I would suspect once the edema starts to reduce this blanching will disappear.
I have found that women who have had previous surgeries such as augmentations or reductions are more prone to severe engorgement.  I do not have any studies to back this but I wonder if the lymphatic system was disturbed with these surgeries and therefore do not allow the breast to drain as well or more sensitive to increase lymph fluid during primary engorgement.  Has anyone else observed this?
Lisa, hope your mother is improving and breastfeeding, I wonder if she would benefit with an SNS til the baby starts gaining well?
Ann Perry RN IBCLC
Boston, MA

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