Karleen,

Dr Susan Love's Breast Book has an informative section on these infections.
It could also be a chronic subareolar abscess.

Please allow me to reflect on my own battle w/chronic subareolar
abscesses/mastitis. The problem began when my youngest was 13 years old and
I believe a much too hard pinch to the nipple area was the catalyst. It was
very much hormonally influenced and become a part of my monthly premenstrual
period. Both my OB/GYN and the breast surgeon that she referred me to
insisted that hormones had nothing to do with it, just coincidence. We
treated the first couple of infections w/dicloxacillin (per my request) and
they finally decided that a long term, low dose course of tetracycline was
indicated. I also started to take lecithin and extra vitamins C & E which
were recommended by a friend/nutritionist/LC. These measures kept it from
becoming a full blown infection for about a year. The day it flared up I
awoke w/high fever, vomiting and a violent headache. I met my surgeon at the
hospital ER (was a Wednesday, no office hours) and within 1 hour I was in
surgery. I was hospitalized for 5 days and treated for sepsis. Follow up
care for 2 weeks, bandage change twice daily (started  w/1.5 yds of 1"gauze
packed into incision) and a drain through my nipple (ouch). Total healing
time was about 6 weeks. I was told that it would probably be a recurring
problem for the rest of my life. This occurred 8 years ago. Occasionally I
do feel hot twinges in the area but so far so good.

Funny post script: my nipple stayed erect for over a year. Much to my
husband's delight!

Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC
Mom to Evan, Larisa and Jared...MIL to Andy!

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