Problem Part 2- Clarification

ouch! I'd say see an obgyn and/or a lactation consultant -- these are the health care providers who will have the most knowledge about breast problems, even though you didn't just give birth. My first thought is "yeast infection" -- but I'm not a doctor. Good luck! T.

My friend had this problem - it was thrush.

M., I am a nurse, and if you didnt have a baby, have scabs on the nipples, that is NOT normal. You should also not feel engorged at times if there is no baby. You need to find an MD who will listen to you, and truly do something about it. Do you have any discharge from the nipple that is causing the scabs? I am worried about possible endocrine issues, it should be seen about. Please keep me posted..

Please contact your OB/GYN right away. There may be a blockage. This is not a normal condition.
A.

M.:

It's a possibility you and/or your baby has thrush (a yeast infection). A baby can get this in their mouth and pass into your milk duct glands. Sometimes both mother and baby are asymptomatic (as was I). There are many homeopathic remedies, although for me the only thing that worked was a huge dose of Fluconazole. I was ready to give up nursing unti I discovered the problem. My doctors were not so sure of the diagnosis, so I had to be persistant. Check out breastfeedingonline.com and search Jack Newman articles for thrush/yeast infection. They were invaluable for me and gave good suggestions. Good Luck.

Definitely go to have the mamogram. I have also read that they have an ultrasound for the breasts that is better.

Anyway, I nursed my oldest until she was a year old and got pregnant a few months later and then nursed her sister until she was a year old. I noticed that even three or four months after I weaned my youngest that my breasts would still get the sensation that I had let down. Sometimes I would get a little bit of discharge and they tingled like mad....like they were itching on the inside.

I had a small spot that showed on my mamogram but then a followup showed no change so they said not to worry about it, but they never figured out what was going on. It quit after a few more months but it drove me mad.

Now I didn't have cracked nipples or scabs though. That worries me. Have you heard of a rare breast cancer that looks like a rash and feels hot? My sister-in-laws mother had that type, but they caught it early. I've read about it and I don't know if scabs are a symptom, but I do know it is rare and many doctors don't even think about it when trying to diagnose it. Try a google search about a rare breast cancer that starts as a rash and feels hot....I'm sure it will pop up.

So, sorry I didn't catch the part about you not giving birth recently... but I received an email recently which is very disconcerting and thought the symptoms may be related. See description: http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertype/Breast/Typesofb... Please see your doctor ASAP - Whether this is as first thought a yeast infection or the latter this needs further investigation.

I'm confused...You have never had a baby, or you did at some point and are now breastfeeding?

Are you sure that you're not pregnant? Breasts often feel this way in early pregnancy.

You could also get breast thermography instead of a mammogram. If there is an abnormal growth there, it would show up as hotter than the rest of the breast.

Have you had it checked for yeast? Sometimes a yeast infection will make it get red and itchy and peel-y.

Best wishes.

Sounds like you may have an infection due to the cracking. I would contact the dr asap. Also have you ever tried lotrimin or monistat on them? It is possible that it is yeast causing the cracking. Like a case of thrush that went untreated?

Good Luck!

sounds like a yeast infection. need to have it checked out.