Are you a breastfeeding mother and are you experiencing pain from white blisters on your nipples? Let's talk about this Milk Bleb!

Breastfeeding is a special and loving time for both mother and baby. But sometimes, small health problems can arise during this time. Have you ever noticed a small white, yellow or clear blister on your nipple, especially when breastfeeding? This is what we medically call a Milk Bleb. Although it is a little painful, it is nothing to worry about or be afraid of. Let's talk about this clearly today.

Simply put, what is this Milk Bleb?

A milk bleb is a small bump that forms on the surface of your nipple. To be precise, sometimes you can have one or more on one nipple. Sometimes you can even see it on both nipples. Your doctor may also call this a nipple bleb.

These are common conditions that occur in breastfeeding mothers. This is not cancer, it is not dangerous, it is not a fungal infection. It actually means that there is some inflammation in the milk ducts inside your breast. These milk ducts are the small tube-like parts that carry milk from the breast to the nipple.

This milk bleb can cause a sharp, stabbing pain during and after breastfeeding. Sometimes, the pain can feel like it's going deep into the breast. It can also block the small holes in the nipple (nipple pores), blocking the flow of milk.

Milk Bleb or a Fungal Infection (Thrush)?

This is a place where many mothers get confused. Because white spots on the nipples can be seen in both cases. But these two are two. According to the latest research, the incidence of thrush in the nipples during breastfeeding is very low. So, don't assume that just because you have a white spot on your nipple, it is a fungal infection.

To be more clear, let's look at the difference between the two.

Therefore, do not use antifungal creams without medical advice. Applying antifungal creams to a milk bleb will not help. Not only that, but they can also irritate the nipples and increase the pain.

Why does this milk bleb form?

Although a milk bleb appears on the surface of the nipple, the problem lies beneath the skin. The main cause is, as we mentioned earlier , inflammation in the milk ducts. This inflammation causes the inner lining of the milk ducts to peel off, and the pieces of the bleb accumulate on the surface of the nipple, forming a bleb.

There may be several reasons for this inflammation:

• Hyperlactation: Some mothers' bodies produce more milk than their baby needs. This excess milk pressure can cause inflammation of the milk ducts.
• Imbalance between milk production and removal: If the baby does not drink and remove milk in proportion to the amount produced, this condition can occur due to milk accumulation.
• Bacterial imbalance (Dysbiosis):Inflammation can also occur due to an imbalance in the natural bacterial community in the breast.

Is this a reason for the baby not latching properly?

Although there are different opinions on this, the latest research suggests that it is probably not a direct cause .

Think about it this way. If your breasts are overly engorged (hyperlactation), your baby will suddenly let down too quickly when he or she sucks. The baby will have difficulty controlling this, so they will try to pull away from the nipple and open their mouth. You may think, "Baby is not latching on properly" (poor latch).

But what's really happening here is that the underlying problem of increased milk production is causing both a 'poor latch' and a milk bleb . So the cause may not be a latch problem, but an underlying milk production imbalance.

How do you treat a milk bleb?

The best thing to do is to see a doctor. He or she will likely recommend the following treatments.

1. Topical Steroid Cream: Your doctor may prescribe a topical steroid cream, such as Triamcinolone , to reduce nipple inflammation. Over-the-counter creams, such as hydrocortisone, are not strong enough for this. Use only as directed by your doctor, and for as long as necessary.

2. Sunflower Lecithin Supplement: This is an oral supplement. It helps reduce inflammation in the milk ducts. However, talk to your doctor before taking this.

3. Treating the underlying cause: If you have another condition, such as hyperlactation or a breast infection (mastitis), your doctor will also prescribe treatment for that. For example, if it's a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be given.

These treatments usually provide relief within a few weeks, but sometimes it can take a month or two to fully heal.

What are the dos and don'ts at home?

This is the most important part.

Instead, follow your doctor's advice. The following things may help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Ice placement:Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and place them on the painful area for a few minutes. This will reduce pain and swelling.
• Painkillers: You can ask your doctor for a painkiller like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. But consult a doctor before taking any medication.
• Breastfeed normally: Don't stop breastfeeding. But don't pump too much either. When breastfeeding, give your baby the breast that is less painful and less full first.

If you ever see a blister like this on your nipple, don't try to treat it yourself, but definitely see a doctor. He or she will be the one who can find out the exact cause and give you the most appropriate treatment.