Robin:  This is a which came first, the chicken or the egg deal.  There is
a body of literature out there (not immediately at my finger tips, but I
could get it), that suggests there is a link between lupus and Candida.
The question is, whether the lupus makes mom more susceptible to Candida,
or if Candida somehow is a cofactor in lupus (not the main cause, but one
of several)?  The theory of Candida causing long-term chronic conditions is
very controversial.  I don't know what to think of this, but I do know that
nipples that refuse to heal after careful latch-checks (including suck and
tongue assessment) would lead me to think yeast.

There is also another possibility.  Moms with lupus often report allergy
problems.  It is entirely possible that this mom is having a sensitivity
problem to detergent or something else.  If that is the case, the first
line of defense is to eliminate the allergen through triple rinsing laundry
or switching to bion disks for cleaning.  And, as extra protection, use one
cup of white distilled vinegar in the rinse cycle of laundry.
Happy Spring!

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
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