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
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