If you have nipple pain and skin around nipple is red and swollen, it may be fungal infection - called as thrush or candidiasis. We apply Clotrimazole cream over infected nipples. If nipples have thrush, also check oral cavity of the baby for thrush. It appears as small white spots over tongue. We use Clotrimazole mouth paint for oral thrush. Bacterial infections of nipple are very painful. Nipples and breast are inflamed and swollen up. Mothers may run a fever. Consult your lactation counselor or doctor who will identify the cause and start antibiotic treatment. We use Mupirocin ointment for minor bacterial infections. Severe infections need oral antibiotic course. Continue breastfeeding - avoiding it will cause milk to collect in breasts and worsen the infection.