Help! nipple problems

[xokell2]

I woke up this morning and while taking a shower I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and noticed that the lower half of my nipple is bright red and inflamed.

It almost feels calloused, like thicker skin, when I touch it. It doesn't hurt or itch, I have noticed a tad of discomfort while nursing from that side. My almost 4 month old has no signs of thrush in his mouth whatsoever, I even inspected it with a flashlight.

I have just come off of a weekend at work where I pump for my 26 hour shifts (13 hrs 2 days in a row). I'd be inclined to think it's just pump/flange irritation but it looks so strange and I've been pumping at work a month with no troubles. Of course Google isn't very helpful. My insurance doesn't cover lactation consultants. Any experience. If it lasts I might make an appointment's with my doc

[bunch]

Do you have a fever? It could be mastitis.

[nonsenseabound]

It might be a milk blister if it is just red with a white bump kinda like a big pimple. That require warm wet washcloths and time to heal.

Otherwise if you see redness around the nipple, it is likely mastitis and you need strong antibiotics quickly. Do you feel any clogs in your breast? It feels like a string of beads.

This is not a lactation consultant issue but a primary care doctor issue.

[cst2cst]

I exclusively pump and often have what you described. Mine is generally a circle the size of the flange and is red and thicker or tougher than usual. I put olive oil on my flanges for lubrication and it helps reduce the irritation. I use a letter moistener to hold the olive oil and apply with the sponge tip.

I mean to say that what you have isn't more serious, it may be. But if you've been pumping more than normal, it can be irritation from the positioning of the flanges. The hospital LC told me that OO is fine for bf so you can put it on after to soothe the skin.