Dear David, Try using the archives to research this topic - have had quite a few posts on it. The bottom line seems to be that a short course of a strong steroid is preferable to indefinite courses with a weak ointment. Problem seems to resolve fairly quickly and there is much less exposure over the long run to the baby and less likelihood of damage to the mother's skin from long-term steroid use. Lisa Amir did an article in the JHL on this, Sept 1993, Vol 9: 173-175, and also posted, among other people, to Lactnet on this topic. Warmly, Sharon Knorr, BSMT, LLLL, IBCLC in Newark, NY (near Rochester) [log in to unmask] ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]