Research validates recommending that moms with injured nipples wash them with mild soap 2-3 times a day to reduce the number of organisms available to ascend into the breast to cause mastitis or abscess. They've often been told NOT to ever wash their nipples with soap (the pendulum has swung from washing with horrible alcohol based things before every nursing!). Medical grade honey applied to wounded nipples (Medihoney) may help healing and also reduce the risk of infection in high risk women. In research studies it is as effective as mupiricin (bactroban) at reducing ostomy infections. I've only seen abscess secondary to mastitis as well, but sometimes the mastitis symptoms are nebulous and mom has difficulty telling the pain from the pain of her sore nipples. Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC NYC *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome