Can thrush ever appear as a rash on the breasts?

[ZoesMommy]

have had a cracked nipple for about 4 weeks now. Along with this cracked nipple, I have a rash. My family doctor said it was "Halo Patch", but I can't even find anything on it anywhere online.

So, I got to thinking. Maybe this rash and the cracked nipple might be related? It starts as rasied red bumps, then turns flat and dry, and flaky, but never disappears. My doc said it should disappear by 4 weeks, but it hasn't. My cracked nipple won't heal either.


Along with this rash and cracked nipple, I have severe pain in my breast. I can feel a shooting pain through it, and it stings during and immediately after feedings. I dread nursing my son on that side.

I have noticed a few small white patches on the inside of his mouth, but I don't know if this could be thrush, or if it's just leftover spitup on the inside of his cheeks. He also gets a little restless and fussy when nursing.

The cracked nipple and rash have been around for the same amount of time, but the rash just keeps spreading. It started on my breasts, now it's on my breasts, chest, stomach, back and neck.

Based on the picture and the description, could it be thrush?

[nikko*ttc]

My little one has thrush right now. It started 'cause I got strep and had to take some meds. I diagnosed based on the white on his cheeks and tongue and the pediatrician called in a script for him. My nipples are definitely sore, but not really cracked. I have a red bumpy rash around the nipples too. The pediatrician said to give him the meds three times a day and each time he nurses to put some on my nipples. Also, take a tbsp of vinegar and put it in a cup of water, then use a cotton ball and dip it in the solution and apply to your nipples. I was told to go braless as much as possible by the LLL leader. Also, wear a cotton shirt if you need to cover up. If you have to wear a bra, it needs to be washed daily in hot water with soap and preferably bleach. Clean shirt every day if you are going braless. Also, you can take some miconazole cream and rub it on your nipples just be sure to clean them with the vinegar and water before nursing. These tips seem to be helping so far. Also, for the cracking you really need to get some lansinoh. It costs around 10$ for a little bottle, but it is awesome.

[nikko*ttc]

Also, I have been giving him a little bit of tylenol during these fussy periods. I figure if my nipples feel like the have tiny paper cuts all over them then surely he must be hurting too. The tylenol seems to help.

[AndiJ78]

Is there a way for you to get a second, more thorough opinion?

I am worried for you, it does seem like something possibly yeast related. I am not sure about the applications for nipple yeast, but I would like to see if I can find some literature on the use of Diflucan in nursing women or something systemic that would make getting rid of the yeast more efficient.

Sorry, kind of thinking out loud but this is a pretty frustrating occurrence that nursing women have to deal with and it is so painful. The clearing up of yeast in the nipple area is difficult at best.

Please look into a second opinion and see if they have some suggestions for helping to heal this up. I agree Lanisoh is great, definitely buy a small tube of that.

[prevatt77]

I'm going through the same thing right now, my son has thrush.  My lactation specialist and my sons doctor told me that my son and I both needed to be treated.  I have a cream that needs to be put on my nipples and he get's his 4 times a day in his mouth.  There is a lot you need to do to get rid of this or you will just past it back and forth to each other.  I would talk to a lacation specialist, they would be the best of help.  

[nikko*ttc]

Well, we are on to a second round of nystastin cause the little one got sick and had to have amoxicillin toward the end of the first treatment. I of course got a yeast infection too and am allergic to most of the creams so doc said I could take diflucan. If the nystatin doesn't work on him this time and the diflucan and other stuff I am doing doesn't work then the pediatrician is going to try something else, but I don't know what it was. She told me it was expensive, but I've got good insurance so the most it could cost me is 75$. Well, worth it at this point...