I thank everyone for their input so far.  Unfortunately, this case seems to be a "stumper."  Child has had all teeth (including 2 yr molars) for months.  No new foods, detergents, deoderants, perfumes.  No poision ivy or other ailments other than the upper respiratory infection which is clearing up due to the penicillin derivative she's taking.  Child always drinks water before nursing to help rinse mouth just in case food particles are present.  She is not pregnant (has been abstaining due to schedule/energy since last period so the nibbling partner is out as well).

She tried using a miconazole (sp?) cream for 24 hours, wiping it with a warm face cloth before nursing, and noticed no improvement.  She was told by another counselor this was a good test for thrush (is it?) and if it responded to get a real thrush treatment.  Anyway, no improvement.  The night after I posted she said her "ovaries hurt" and this happened with one of her two periods (she had her first period in almost 3 yrs in Sept, missed Oct, got Nov) and had never happened pre-baby.  She has checked positioning and latch.  She says that after he comes off the nipple the area that was in his mouth is reddish but fades quickly to normal.  She also described some blanching on the tip of the nipple, but says this has been happening since the child's birth without causing this pain.  She wondered if toddlers can all of a sudden start having greater suction.  Her nipples still hurt with latch and are tender to the touch other times.  She says they might be a tad better today (and are certainly no worse), but still not comfortable.  Still no cracks, blisters, noticable plugs, signs of mastitis.  She describes the pain as "dry, tough skin being streeeetched when it doesn't want to be."  Still no signs of vaginal yeast.

So, if she tried the miconazole and had no improvement, can it still be thrush?  Can it be her hormones being a little whacky as her cycle resumes?  If it is hormonal, should it last this long (about 5 days)?  She's called our most experienced counselors as well as an IBCLC and they are all stumped. 

Sorry to take up so much space with this, but everyone seems to be drawing a blank on this one.  Have you seen anything like this?  What would you suggest?

Linda V., who has no clues on this one at all.......