Nipple pain caused by Candida albicans
The pain caused by a Candidal infection is generally different from the pain caused by poor positioning and/or ineffective suckling.
The pain caused by a Candidal infection:
- is often burning in nature, rather than the sharp, stabbing or pinching pain associated with other causes. Burning pain may be due to other causes, however, and pain due to a Candidal infection does not necessarily burn.
- frequently lasts throughout the feeding, and occasionally continues after the feeding has ended. This is in contrast to the pain due to other causes which usually hurts most as feeding begins, and gradually improves as the baby nurses.
- may radiate into the mother's armpit or into her back.
- may cause no change in appearance of the mother's nipples or areolas, though there may be redness, or some scaling, or the skin of the areola may be smooth and shiny.
- not uncommonly will begin after a period of pain free nursing. This characteristic alone is reason enough to try treatment for Candida. However, milk blisters on the nipple also may cause nipple pain after a period of pain free nursing as may eczema or other skin condition.
- may be associated with recent use of antibiotics by the baby or mother, but not necessarily.
- may be quite severe, may or may not be itchy.
- may occur only in the breast. This pain is often described as "shooting", or "burning" in nature, and is often worse after the feeding is over. It is often said to be worse at night. At the same time, the breast appears or feels normal. This is not mastitis and there is no reason to treat with antibiotics. On the contrary, antibiotics may make the problem worse.
Please Note:The baby does not have to have thrush in his mouth and a Candidal infection of the nipple may be combined with other causes of soreness.
