Blood from the nipple

If a non-nursing mother has any type of discharge coming from her mammary glands, especially if you notice blood coming from your nipple, you should immediately contact a mammologist.

This may be a sign of the development of quite serious pathologies and various diseases. Do not delay visiting, even if the discharge has stopped for a while.

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Causes nipple blood

The mammary glands are a paired organ that has glandular tissue, an excretory duct, and a nipple. If a woman or girl wears a bra that is too tight and does not fit her size, this can lead to the development of mastitis, which is often accompanied by bleeding from the nipple.

In addition, the reasons for the discharge of blood from the nipple may be the following:

1. The development of a rather complex disease called "cystaden papilloma". Papillomas of a special type begin to multiply inside the excretory ducts. They are considered benign formations. With cystaden papilloma, blood may flow from the nipple. At the same time, no pain is observed. If you do not get checked in time and do not remove foreign growths, they can develop into a malignant tumor.
2. Nipple adenoma. This is a benign growth in the nipple that can only be cured by surgery.
3. Mastopathy is a fairly common and serious disease that begins with swelling and soreness of the breasts. There are diffuse and nodular forms of mastopathy. To get an accurate diagnosis, you need to be examined by a doctor and have a biopsy.
4. Malignant tumor or breast cancer.

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Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of nipple bleeding is an uncontrolled growth of epithelial, connective tissues, which is caused by failures in the woman's hormonal system. Most often, pathologies of the mammary gland begin after the amount of estrogen in the body increases. This has been confirmed by numerous experimental studies.

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Symptoms nipple blood

Symptoms of blood from the nipple depend on the nature of the disease that caused such unpleasant discharge.

1. Blood may appear when pressed if a woman develops an intraductal papilloma. As a rule, it appears in patients after 30 years of age.
2. Sometimes bloody discharge may appear after a usual injury to the mammary gland. If you remember that you recently bruised this place badly, then you should not worry, blood does not indicate the presence of any disease.
3. Blood with clots when pressed will come with breast cancer. If you notice such symptoms in yourself, as well as pain or discomfort, you should immediately see a doctor.

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First signs

Blood from the nipple is one of the manifestations of the formation of a malignant tumor in the mammary gland. In addition, the first symptoms of this serious disease are: severe pain in the affected breast, visible inflammation of the nipple, an unpleasant feeling inside the mammary gland, increased sensitivity of the breast.

The first signs of mastopathy, which may also include bloody discharge, are: painful swelling, discomfort, and particular tension in the breasts before menstruation.

Intraductal papilloma of the mammary gland is always accompanied by the presence of blood from the nipples. But at the same time, you may also notice: acute pain, especially when pressing on the chest, discomfort.

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Blood from the nipple when pressed

Some women after the age of thirty begin to notice bloody discharge from the nipples when pressing on them. In this case, the pressure may not even be strong. If you notice such a symptom, you should immediately consult a doctor, since blood from the nipple when pressing may be the first sign of the formation of papillomas in the mammary gland or its ducts, a benign tumor or even cancer. In order to be sure that the disease does not pose a danger to your health, it is necessary to make a smear, which determines the number of red blood cells. Surgical intervention is used for treatment.

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Blood from the nipple during pregnancy

Blood from the nipple is very common in pregnant women. This is a normal process, especially during pregnancy, as there is strong compression of small blood vessels, which leads to their rupture. Colostrum (the fluid that comes out of the mammary glands of pregnant women immediately before childbirth) can be colored red precisely because of the rupture of such vessels.

Please note, if you notice that the bleeding from the nipple during pregnancy does not go away within a few days (up to four), immediately go to see your doctor. Such a symptom may indicate the development of a malignant tumor that needs to be treated promptly.

When should a pregnant woman be wary?

1. If the blood comes from only one mammary gland.
2. If pain sensations appear at the same time.
3. When blood from the nipple is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

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Blood from the nipple during feeding

During lactation (feeding the baby), some new mothers notice blood from the nipple. This usually happens if bloody discharge gets into the milk after deep damage to the mammary gland or cracked nipples. In this case, you just need to heal the damage and properly attach the baby to the breast.

But nipple bleeding during breastfeeding can also be a symptom of a more serious disease. For example, you may have damaged capillaries if you are not using a breast pump correctly. This symptom can also be caused by an intraductal papilloma (benign or malignant). It looks like a small wart that can bleed slightly from time to time. In the latter case, it is very important to have surgery to remove the papilloma in time. That is why it is so important to see a doctor if you notice blood from your nipple during breastfeeding.

Blood from the nipple of a child

Sometimes infants experience inflammation of the mammary glands. In the first months of life of babies (both boys and girls), in 5% of cases, the nipples may swell and turn red, and white fluid may be released from them. This happens because during childbirth, female hormones penetrate the placenta in small quantities and, accordingly, into the child's body. Usually, the inflammation goes away within a week or two.

Sometimes such discharge can take on a bloody character. This is due to the fact that there is a benign blockage of the mammary glands. Doctors call this phenomenon "ectasia". It does not harm the baby's health and goes away within a month.

If you notice blood coming from your baby's nipple, do not try to press on the mammary glands or in any way stimulate the discharge. This can lead to quite serious consequences.

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Complications and consequences

Blood from the nipple is the cause of pathology of the mammary gland, so if you do not pay attention to the discharge and do not start treatment, the consequences can be quite serious. Remember that in most cases, bloody discharge indicates the formation of benign tumors and papillomas, which over time can develop into malignant ones.

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Complications

Complications of nipple bleeding depend on why exactly such discharge appeared. If the blood caused inflammation of the mammary gland and penetration of bacteria into it (calitis), then the complication may be the development of mastitis.

After the formation of intraductal papillomas, bloody discharge always appears. This is a benign tumor, but there is a high risk that it will degenerate into a malignant one. Therefore, women from the risk group (nulliparous, with alcohol addiction, smokers, overweight) need to carefully monitor their health and regularly visit a doctor.

Sometimes blood is a complication during lactation.

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Diagnostics nipple blood

Blood from the nipple is an alarming signal, so it is necessary to undergo an examination by a mammologist who will conduct the appropriate diagnostics.

1. First of all, a general survey is conducted, which helps to determine what disease led to the appearance of bloody discharge. Usually, the mammologist asks when the blood appeared, what other symptoms accompany it.
2. After the interview, the doctor decides whether a blood test is necessary. Usually, such a procedure is very important for determining the type of pathology and its severity.
3. Mammography is an X-ray examination of the mammary glands. Thanks to this diagnostic method, the doctor can clearly examine the internal structure of the breast.
4. Ultrasound – helps to see the internal structure of the mammary gland and track the development of pathology. Thanks to ultrasound examination, it is possible to determine whether the pathology is a benign papilloma or a malignant tumor.
5. MRI or ductography of the mammary gland is a study of the mammary gland, which is carried out by introducing a special liquid into its ducts. It is usually carried out if the doctor cannot determine the presence of a tumor by palpation. It cannot be carried out if there is inflammation in the nipples.
6. Sometimes it may be necessary to conduct a blood sample analysis.

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Tests

1. Blood test – is performed if the doctor has diagnosed breast cancer after examination. Of course, a general blood test will not be able to refute or confirm such a disease, but with its help you can notice any negative changes (increased leukocyte content, deviation from the ESR norm, decreased hemoglobin level). Remember that such changes appear not only in oncology, so you need to conduct a number of other tests.
2. Biochemical blood test – allows you to see if there are special tumor markers (antigens and proteins) in the blood. They are produced during the growth of a cancer cell.
3. Spectral analysis is a new modern method that was developed relatively recently. It is distinguished by the fact that it helps to achieve very high accuracy in diagnosing diseases. The doctor will be able to determine with an accuracy of up to 93% what pathology caused the blood from the nipple.
4. Genetic blood test – allows you to see whether a woman has a predisposition to developing breast cancer at the genetic level.

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Instrumental diagnostics

1. Mammography – this method of examining the mammary glands uses radiation in a very small dose. Allows you to see the development of pathology at an early stage of the disease. This method is not only the oldest, but also the most popular. Recently, a special type has appeared – digital mammography. Here, semiconductor detectors are used, with the help of which ionizing radiation is converted into an electrical signal.
2. Ultrasound – this method is fast, painless and completely safe. Today, 80% of all women suffer from mastopathy, so timely diagnosis of breast lumps will help stop breast cancer in the early stages. Ultrasound is used to detect cysts or lumps that can develop into malignant tumors.
3. Ductography – a contrast fluid is injected into the ducts of the mammary gland, which allows you to see any pathologies. This is a modern and effective method. The doctor will be able to determine with great accuracy where exactly a benign or malignant tumor is located, as well as its size.

Differential diagnosis

A differential method for diagnosing blood from the nipple can be called mammography. It has been used for a very long time, but even today it has not lost its popularity, as it helps to see the full picture of the pathology of the mammary gland.

Treatment nipple blood

Treatment for bleeding from the nipple depends on what disease caused this unpleasant symptom.

1. When nipple adenoma develops, the only treatment method is surgery.
2. If you have diffuse mastopathy, then the introduction of a 25% solution of potassium iodide into the nipple will help. In case of nodular mastopathy, the only solution is surgery.
3. For mastitis, antibiotics are prescribed, and treatment is also carried out using various solutions and ointments with an antiseptic effect.
4. Malignant breast tumors can only be treated with surgery.
5. For calfitis (inflammation of the nipples), multivitamins and antiseptics are prescribed.
6. Cystaden papilloma can only be treated with surgery.

Medicines

For mastitis:

Osmapox. An antibiotic that is produced in the form of capsules, granules for suspension and tablets. It can penetrate into the milk of a nursing mother in a small dose, which requires a revision of the therapeutic dose. The concentration of the maximum amount of the drug in the blood plasma is noted two hours after administration.

Flemoxin-Solutab. Another popular antibiotic for mastitis. It is relatively safe, so it can be prescribed to pregnant women in some cases. The tablets can be chewed, taken in parts or dissolved in water. It does not contain sugar, has a pleasant taste of apricot syrup.

Hikontsil. A very popular antibiotic, which is often prescribed during pregnancy and lactation. It has no contraindications. Hikontsil is produced in several forms, including tablets and capsules.

Vishnevsky ointment. One of the most effective antiseptics with a characteristic unpleasant odor. It contains tar, castor oil and xeroform. There are practically no contraindications, except for sensitivity to the substances of the drug.

When calving:

Antiseptic cream "Medela Purelan". An effective product that helps to heal cracks and other damage to the nipples quickly and without much effort. There are no dyes in the composition, the smell is neutral, the consistency is thick. It can be applied to the nipples immediately before feeding, as it is safe for the baby's health. There are no contraindications for use.

Folk remedies

Folk treatment of nipple bleeding is possible only if you are absolutely sure that the discharge appeared after an injury or crack in the nipple. Do not try to cure papillomas or benign tumors on your own under any circumstances. This can lead to serious consequences.

Often, cracks in the nipples, which lead to bloody discharge, appear after breastfeeding. A popular folk method of treatment is to lubricate the nipples with a small amount of breast milk. Be sure to let it dry. You can also lubricate the damaged surface with fat at night. A good remedy is apple-carrot juice, which is also applied to the nipple.

Sea buckthorn oil is used to treat cracked nipples and to prevent them. At home, you can make your own ointment from dried black poplar buds (two tablespoons). Mix them to make a powder and add to butter. Apply directly to the nipples.

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Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment of nipple blood in case of cracks during breastfeeding is carried out with the help of flax seeds. They must be thoroughly ground (best in a coffee grinder) and boiled in milk until a thick mushy consistency is formed. While the gruel is still warm, it must be wrapped in gauze and applied to the breast.

Kalanchoe leaves help in some cases to cure nipple bleeding during feeding. Cut the leaves lengthwise and lubricate the damaged nipples with their juice. Wait until the juice dries completely. If you find it more convenient to use compresses, you can squeeze out the juice and soak gauze in it.

Homeopathy

If the bleeding from the nipple is due to mastitis, you can try using homeopathic ointments.

Traumeel S. Ointment has anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, analgesic, regenerating effects. Apply a thin layer to the damaged nipple two or three times a day, rub in lightly. In acute mastitis, it can be applied up to five times a day. Side effects include allergic reactions. There are no contraindications.

Arnica. Accelerates skin regeneration. Consists of natural components, so it is completely safe for health. Apply externally to the nipples in a small amount, rub in until the skin feels dry. Use no more than three times a day.

Surgical treatment

In case of benign breast formations, which are the cause of the appearance of blood from the nipple, it is necessary to perform surgical treatment. It will help to stop the development of malignant tumors in time.

Surgical therapy is one of the most popular methods of treating nipple bleeding in the development of benign or malignant tumors. Today, there are several types of such surgery:

1. With preservation of organs. The tumor is removed only from a certain area of the breast, but most of it is preserved. This method is only acceptable if the tumor is small. In case of relapse, the second type is used.
2. Complete surgery. The entire breast is removed. Sometimes the pectoralis minor or major muscle is also removed. Some specialists may preserve the nipple and breast skin to allow for future implants.

Sometimes surgical treatment also involves removing some lymph nodes. This reduces the risk of relapse.

Prevention

To prevent cracks in the nipples, from which bloody discharge may appear, the following methods are used:

1. Regular use of specially formulated creams or ointments applied before or after feeding the baby.
2. Change your position when feeding your baby.
3. Sometimes cracks occur when too much milk is released between feedings. Try using pads.

To prevent the formation of benign tumors:

1. Removal of any types of lumps that may appear in the mammary glands.
2. Normal physiological rhythm of a woman's life.
3. Minimum number of abortions.
4. Undergoing regular check-ups.
5. Conducting annual mammography.

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Forecast

If the pathology is detected in time, the prognosis for nipple blood can be quite positive. Even if the doctor diagnoses you with a serious illness, remember that with the right approach it can always be cured. That is why it is important to see a doctor as soon as you see blood from the nipple. Remember that women's health is not something to joke about. Try to visit a mammologist regularly so that you do not encounter such an unpleasant problem later.

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