nipple bleb
{{Short description|Fluid filled blister on the nipple}}
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A nipple bleb is a blister on the nipple that can be filled with serous or other fluid. It may be pink or light yellow.{{cite web|url=https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/white-spot-nipple|title=White spot on the nipple|first=Australian Breastfeeding|last=Association|date=4 February 2012|publisher=|accessdate=12 August 2017}} It is thin-walled and may appear as a small blister, more than 5 mm in diameter. It can also be referred to as a bulla. Some clinicians may also include milk blisters as a type of bleb. In addition, a blocked Montgomery gland may also be called a nipple bleb though its cause is different than a milk or serous-filled bleb on the nipple.{{cite web|url=http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/life-stages/breastfeeding/health-practitioners/sore-tender-and-damaged-nipples|title=Sore, tender and damaged nipples|accessdate=12 August 2017|publisher=New Zealand Ministry of Health|date=2015|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812135438/http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/life-stages/breastfeeding/health-practitioners/sore-tender-and-damaged-nipples|url-status=dead}} In some cases the bleb may be associated with an adjacent blocked sebaceous cyst.{{cite book | last = Walker | first = Marsha | title = Breastfeeding management for the clinician : using the evidence |url=https://archive.org/details/breastfeedingman00walk | url-access = limited | publisher = Jones and Bartlett Publishers | location = Sudbury, Mass | year = 2011 | isbn = 9780763766511 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/breastfeedingman00walk/page/n544 534]–5}}
It may be caused by a blocked pore that leads to seepage of milk or serous fluid under the epidermis. This causes a white 'bump' that appears opaque and shiny. If the bleb continues to block the flow of milk out of the breast it may develop into a blocked milk duct or even mastitis.
A nipple bleb is often treated by the woman herself since a warm saline soak and gentle washing may open the blister and cause it to drain.
Symptoms
Shapeless raised, smooth, shiny, pimple-like, tiny bumps filled with water/fluid formed on breasts or in and around the nipple pore might appear.{{Cite news|url=https://breastfeeding.support/blisters-on-nipples/|title=Blisters on Nipples — Breastfeeding Support|date=2014-08-18|work=Breastfeeding Support|access-date=2018-10-27|language=en-US}} The colour of these fluid in nipple blebs may vary from white, yellow or transparent. They become flat when pressure is applied on them or punctured with hands.{{cn|date=February 2025}} This can cause discomfort or pain to the lactating mother while breastfeeding.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
Treatment
In case of slight or painless blebs, it is advised to continue the breastfeed to unclog the milk duct or prevent it from clogging altogether. Breastfeeding mothers should make the baby latch properly. In case of pain after breastfeeding one can try wet, warm heating pads before and after each feeding. Ice packs can be soothing as well. One can massage the area applying gentle pressure around the duct to help loosen up the blockage.{{cn|date=February 2025}} Tight-fitting bras should be avoided; if the cloth of the bra is rubbing against the nipples, a nursing pad can be used to ease the friction.{{cn|date=February 2025}}
See also
{{Div col}}
- Areola
- Intimate part
- Inverted nipple
- Lactation
- Mammary gland{{Div col end|3}}
References
{{Commons category|Nipples}}
{{Wiktionary|nipple|teat|papilla}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Breastfeeding}}