Ouch - red rash between boobs

[Boos75]

Ouch, suggestions please! I am 22 weeks pregnant with DC1 and my bust has gone up from a C to and F cup. What with sleeping on my side and not being able to let the skin between them breathe, I have developed a really sore red rash line between my boobs. It's agony. Have tried calamine lotion, sudocrem and also some natural organic mum/baby cream but I think I need something stronger as the skin started to crack on the weekend.

Have also developed spots on my chest - really feel like I could do with a face mask there but am sure that's not allowed!

I will go to the chemist but if any of you busty ladies have any advice on what you use I'd be really grateful. With a due date of 17 August I know it's not going to get better as the weather gets warmer!

Not sure if this is going to help you. I have a hefty chest at the best of times but being 34 weeks its now 36 hh! I havnt had soreness between the boobs, but I do have alot of skin tags and moles that have developed!
What I do have is a little bit of a heat rash under each boob. They only way I can releave it is to pull my pregnancy support band up under my boobs to stop my bra rubbing on the area. I do try and keep my boobs as separate as poss, are yours touching?
Maybe you should pop along to the doctors, sometimes these things can get really sore and then slightly infected. Also if you see a doctor any thing you get or they suggest, you can get on prescription and get it free of charge.

Thanks greenzebra for your response. I've had moles and skin tags develop too!

I don't have a pregnancy support band yet but will look to get one as my boobs are touching (oh to have what we used to call rather meanly 'east/west' boobs when we were younger! Am sure those will come now!)

Just spoken to the pharmacist at Boots and she said there's not really anything I can use apart from Aloe Vera gel and to speak to my midwife. Really don't want to call her up just for that but, as you say, it may get infected so will try and see my GP. Must get them out more when I'm at home!

Im sure your partner will love that!

I remember my mum had a rash under her boobs too, due to heat and they gave her some cream because it had turned into a fungus thing! ewwww!

I've had something similar (but am sig less pg, sadly already with 32GGs) and have been using Elisabeth Arden 8-hour cream overnight, which seems to help. Might it be worth going for a bra fitting again? &/or getting a sleep bra to keep them separated in the night? DH claims that sudocrem is almost identical to my 8-hour cream - so that might be a (far cheaper) alternative, and if it is safe for baby's bums, it ought to be fine for lady lumps :)
Am considering downgrading my duvet to a summer-weight in the hope this is sweat-related (sorry tmi) & that it'll go away with a little less um warmth.

Think he is terrified of them and how they have quadrupled in size!

Thanks jamama. I think sleep bra to keep them separated is a good idea. Sudocrem was too harsh and dried my skin out. Will try 8 hour cream as have a small tube at home.

Have been sleeping under a very thin blanket for weeks now but it hasn't lessened - am one of those people who breaks out in a heat rash when the temp dial goes above 65 degrees!

Would bepanthan be any good do you think, or some other barrier cream?

I have had problems with this too - gone from a 34C to 36G and as you say, the between-boob area and underneath doesnt get alot of airing. Rashes are far worse when I've been sweating. At night I have been sleeping with a tissue wedged between them and this has made the heat rash go away. Otherwise in the evening I have spent as much time as possible braless and with tissues underneath, also been really careful to wash and dry area...but not put talc there. I'm going to be investigating sleep bras soon.

Im not pregnant, but wear a bra in bed for mine(38dd). Find it very uncomfortable without one.

When not preggies I would recommend :

*Not letting them touch if poss if you wear any kind of under shirt / vest tuck between and vary the bras you wear if poss

*keeping areas clean - if no rash or soreness you can try a mild liquid hand soap or wet wipe as bacteria builds up in warm moist crevices especially if you are tempted to scratch be careful which product you use check ingredients if you have sensitive skin and NEVER use on broken skin - stings like hell and if you have allergies can make it worse

*for rashes etc Dermadex cream is a godsend but not sure if it's allowed for M2B or Aquaeous BP cream - the latter can double as a soap or moisturiser

*be careful with new bras and fabric conditioners etc I once wore a brand new M&S bra only to have a bra shaped red rash for several days something to do with some finishing product on the fabric once it was washed no probs!!

I won't go into detail but if a rash gets worse, the skin cracks, blisters or bleeds get to your GP it can spread and yes get infected. This goes for boobs and under your bump.

Thank you so much for your posts ladies.

I did spend time last night with tissues stuffed between my boobs (had to whip them out when my neighbour popped round!) and then braless as well. Used sudocrem again which has reduced the redness but I have to not use it too much as it does dry my skin.

I'll try and see my GP over the next few days and will report back if she is able to give me anything that works!

Sounds like it could be thrush - is the skin a bit shiny looking?

Your GP will be able to prescribe some cream for it. You could just buy some Canesten cream over the counter though - it is safe to use in pregnancy.

Boos, see your gp but it sounds like it could be thrush (yes you can get it between your boobs and some people are more prone to it during pregnancy - I was!)

If it is thrush, canestan cream should help.

oops - crossed with CTM!

Ooo, hadn't thought of that ChewyToffee and theyoungvisitor. My skin is a bit shiny. Never had thrush before - yikes. Will get some canestan.

Thanks!