NIPPLE PAIN

[1TPORT]

HELP. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PAIN IN MY LEFT NIPPLE AND SLIGHT SORENESS IN THE OTHER.  MY LEFT NIPPLE WHEN SQUEEZED IT HAS A DRAINAGE LIKE BREAST MILK.  WELL TODAY IT IS REALLY SORE AND FEELS LIKE NEEDLES BEING POKED IN IT AND THER IS A VISABLE RED RING AROUND IT AND IT APPEARS TO BE A LIL SWOLLEN.  WHAT COULD IT BE?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

The soreness and the acuteness of the condition suggests that this may be an infection. A skin infection has to be considered here. This may be a case of mastitis. "Mastitis is a medical condition characterized by an inflammation of the breast. It can occur in women who are lactating, as well as in women who are not lactating, and even in men."

Source:http://www.wisegeek.com/what-causes-mastitis.htm

I suggest you have this assessed promptly. A complete physical examination is necessary to rule out a more severe infectious process like cellulitis. Also a complete breast examination may be necessary. Your physician may request for a breast ultrasound to exclude involvement of other structures.

As for your fiance, frequent hand washing is important. Avoid any intimate contact for the moment until your condition has been assessed.

[1TPORT]

I AM 31 YRS OLD.  I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SORENESS AND DRAINAGE FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR SO.  I THOUGHT THAT IT COULD BE THAT I AM PREGNANT.  I HAVE ONE CHILD AND DIDNT HAVE ANY MILK LEAKAGE AT ALL WITH HIM.  I AM IN PAIN AND DONT KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE.  I DO KNOW THAT MY FIANCE KEEPS GETTING BOILS ON HIS BEHIND COULD THIS BE AN INFECTION CAUSED FROM THAT?  I AM LOSS I DONT KNOW.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

How old are you?

I would assume that you are female.

Did this occur just recently and is this sudden in onset?

I suggest that you have a prompt consult with an internist for a complete physical examination.

This may be a case of skin infection and involvement of deeper structures need to be ruled out. If there are lumps or bumps on the breast or armpits, if there is any change in size of the breast, then a prompt consult is necessary.

At this point, if we are only considering more superficial skin conditions, this may be an eczematous disease. Cellulitis , mastitis and fungal infections also need to be ruled out.

Do you have any diabetes?

Any chronic use of steroids before?

Do you perform  self breast examination regularly?

Seek an internist's assessment as soon as possible. You may need oral medications for this. An ultrasound or mammogram may be requested if indicated.