A mom called my office when I was not in town and was referred to an LLLL who
listened to her description of what was happening to her nipples (red and sore,
with cracks at the base and darkened skin,  son is 2 1/2 years old and still
nurses 2 - 3 times a day, has had repeated yeast infections which have been
treated with nystatin and diflucan, but now she is pregnant and can't take
diflucan, so what to do?).

The LLLL suggested the Gentian Violet treatment however, the mom was unable to
find someone to dilute it to her specs and she used it as it comes in the
bottles here (I think 10% alcohol) directly on the nipple (thankfully not in
son's mouth!).  She said it didn't burn, but did not help with the nipple
soreness or redness.  So she was now calling me to ask what to do.

As she has a dermatologist, I suggested she go see her - and to please call me
back to let me know what was found.  Well, She called yesterday to say her
nipples were much better after using a strong cortisone cream on them.  The doc
had told her it was not yeast, but  irritated tissue which needed cortisone for
short-term and a moisturizer for the long term.  She didn't suggest she wean,
but use the cream after the feeds.

Am still keeping touch with her as things progress.  So - when is it yeast, when
is it not, when to treat?  Skin and nipple problems still confuse the daylights
out of me!  Sure am glad for docs who know about these things, and are not
requiring a weaning during treatment.

Jeanette Panchula, BA-SW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
Puerto Rico
[log in to unmask]