Cold sore on my nipple? OK to feed on one side for a while?

[paleandinteresting]

DS is 7 months and still breastfeeding lots. On Wednesday I thought I was getting a spot on my lip, but this morning it looks more like a cold sore (I've been getting cold sores for years, but they usually start by itching and look more blister-like, this one didn't itch and just looked like a spot).

Also on Wednesday I noticed a small blister on my left nipple, but didn't think too much of it as I've had various little blebs etc. that have been innocuous and gone away fairly quickly. However, it actually now looks more like a cold sore blister :( My left breast was feeling a bit tender, but thought it was because DS has just got his first teeth and was maybe catching me sometimes.

I've never had a cold sore anywhere other than my lips before, but am aware they can appear anywhere above the waist. Not sure why it should appear on my nipple as I'm fairly sure I haven't touched my lips and then nipple.

What I would like to know is, will my supply be okay if I only feed on the right side and express on the left (and chuck this milk) until my left nipple looks back to normal? Will my right side cope?

Feeling down that DS might have caught herpes from me as I was still feeding him this morning on the left before I realised it might be something to be concerned about :(

NO!

Get it checked out, if it is a coldsore DO NOT FEED WITH IT!!

Cold sores can kill babies

I mean YES! (To feeding on one side and expressing sorry panicked when I read coldsore)

I am aware of this. Please take the time to read my post, I'm feeling crap enough about this as it is. I'm not feeding him anymore on the side with the blister. What I'm asking is, will my supply be okay if I only feed from one side (which is fine) until my other nipple has healed?

x-post

Sorry Pale I didn't mean to make you feel crap, I didn't really read properly until after I posted, as I said I panicked when I read coldsore.

Your supply should be fine as long as you keep expressing, you also might be able to use a nipple shield and still feed normally (my friend and her baby kept giving each other thrush until she used a nipple shield).

I would seek GP advice on whether it is a coldsore or not and whether you could avoid passing it to DS using a nipple shield if it is.

Your supply will be fine as long as you are still feeding him but you'll need to be very vigilant to avoid problems with mastitis. Can you express ok - does it not really hurt?
I also think you need to get medical advice today about the risk to ds as he was potentially exposed to the flare up. I am not trying to make you feel bad or guilty in saying that. There is nothing for you to feel guilty about. Cold sores happen along with a million other things. But you do need to get some medical opinion as to how best manage his risk.

I have no advice about the cold sore bit...all my kids are older now, but is it possible it could be thrush and not a cold sore?

can you pop to a pharmacy...Tesco/asda might be open.

better to get someone to take a quick look if you can.

hope all is ok soon. x

I bet it is just where he has bitten you. Sorry I have zero experience with cold sores but I have had mastitis and if your boob is sore, keep expressing as MUCH as you can, while he isn't feeding from it - you may well have a blocked duct or infection already, but it won't improve if you're not feeding so do keep at it xxx

Thank you for your replies. Feeling pretty tearful and shit about it all. Will express as much as possible from the breast with the blister. It doesn't really hurt to express. The nipple feels a bit more tender than usual. Will try NHS Direct for advice about DS's risk.

Massive sympathy, you poor thing. I hope it clears up really soon and I think babies are only at risk when you have not had cold sores before - like, if it's your first infection? As otherwise they will have antibodies from you from when they were inside you. (not sure how it works but think that's the gist of it) xxxx

I don't know about the risk. But there are special cold sore plasters you can buy, that a) ease the pain and b) make the cold sore go away faster. They are fine during bf, as they don't have any medication in them.

You can't bf on the side with the cold sore, though, even with the plaster.