I have been back at work for a little while now - part time for about a month, and now full time for two weeks. For a couple weeks now (I can't remember exactly when it started) I noticed some skin irritation on my breasts that I think may be from pumping and my flanges.

The skin above my nipple, particularly on one side but it's starting on the other now, is itchy and has a sort-of raised texture along horizontal lines. Cortisone cream helps to calm the itching and redness that is associated with it.
Also, possibly related, I am very easily prone to hives from environmental factors (like vibration, skin scraping, cold temperature, and other fun things like that). This does NOT look like hives, but I figure that it might be why I'm experiencing this irritation.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Are my flanges the wrong size? I have smaller breasts (Size A even when BFing) and am using the standard 24mm size that came with my pump - same size I used last time I was pumping several years ago with LO1. I'm using a Spectra 9 pump and am happy with it in general. Throwing this out there to the boards as a long shot that someone has had something similar happen and found a way to relieve it or prevent it. Thanks!