Cracked nipples

The cracks that appear on the nipples bring a lot of discomfort to a woman, but if you ignore this condition, then the problems may become even greater. In this article, we will try to understand the reasons for the cracks and ways out of this situation.

Causes cracked nipples

As medical practice shows, cracked nipples can be caused by:

• Ignoring the rules of personal hygiene.
• Frequent washing of nipples with alkaline soap dries out the skin of the breast, leading to the formation of cracks.
• Incorrect attachment of the newborn to the nipple during breastfeeding. Incorrect breastfeeding technique.
• Trauma to the chest during the time when a newborn begins teething.
• An ill-fitting bra.
• Diseases of dermatological and other nature. For example, diabetes, thrush.
• Poor quality shower accessories: hard washcloth or towel.
• Low-quality body care cosmetics, including bath accessories. Allergic reaction to shower gel, cream, etc.
• Trauma sustained in the chest area.
• Decreased immune status of a woman.
• New growth in the chest area.
• Long-term contact with poor quality water: open water, chlorinated swimming pool water.
• Poor quality and incorrectly selected size and model of underwear and all clothing in general.
• Topless tanning is so fashionable among modern girls. Solarium.
• Overheating or hypothermia of the chest. Clothing is not chosen "for the weather".
• Frequent stress.
• Disruption of metabolic processes.
• Avitaminosis. Deficiency of a number of vitamins and minerals in the body.
• Taking antidepressants and some other groups of drugs.
• Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
• Individual increased sensitivity of the nipples.
• Incorrect use of breast milk pumps.

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Pathogenesis

If the integrity of the epidermal layer of the nipple is damaged, the crack can go deep inside, right up to the Malpighian layer. If appropriate measures are not taken immediately, the edges of the crack begin to thicken, the blood vessels fall, as if sealed, while the elements of the lymphatic system remain accessible to the external environment for at least the next 48 hours. It is this fact that contributes to the invasion of pathogenic flora with the development of inflammatory processes.

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Symptoms cracked nipples

Symptoms that should worry a woman and make her seek help from a specialist:

1. Cracks in the skin of the nipple are visually observed. They can be either single or multiple, deeply penetrating or superficial, of various sizes.
2. The wounds may be covered with blood crusts.
3. Feeling of discomfort in the affected area.
4. When trying to touch it (with a hand or fabric), a sharp pain occurs, which can radiate to the collarbone area, arm and shoulder blade.
5. There is swelling in the areola area.
6. The nipples may be enlarged in size.
7. Hyperemia of the skin around the nipple.
8. Bleeding cracks.
9. Subfebrile or febrile temperature is possible.
10. Development of mastitis.

First signs

The first thing a woman begins to feel is discomfort in the nipple area.

1. Tingling and pricking sensations begin in the nipple area.
2. Itching occurs.
3. Hyperemia of the nipple area and adjacent tissues.
4. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, painful symptoms, swelling and bleeding of the wounds appear.
5. Further infection of cracks.

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Forms

Deep cracks in the nipples

If deep cracks in the nipples are visible, treatment should be started as soon as possible. After all, in such a situation, the main thing is not only to stop the disease, but also to prevent infection from getting inside the wounds, which can lead to:

1. Development of an inflammatory process in breast tissue.
2. Pain when breastfeeding a newborn.
3. Increased pain when expressing breast milk.
4. Damage to the subcutaneous capillary network, which leads to bleeding from cracks.
5. Infiltration of tissue structures.
6. The appearance of abscesses.
7. Formation of erosive areas.

Gradually, infection of wounds can lead to the development of other diseases, such as mastitis.

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Non-healing cracked nipples

If a woman does not take adequate and timely measures to solve the problem, she will be haunted by non-healing cracks in her nipples.

This happens because the nipple is injured again during the next feeding, and in the intervals between feedings the existing wounds simply do not have time to heal. In such a clinic, you cannot do without the help of a qualified specialist (obstetrician-gynecologist or pediatrician).

Purulent cracks on the nipples

Pus in the wound is a clear sign of infection. Purulent cracks in the nipples cause unbearable pain in a woman, especially a nursing mother, with any touch. The process of feeding gradually forms a fear of pain in a nursing mother, which is transmitted to the child and cannot but affect him.

In this case, the abscesses may not only be superficial, but may go deep into the mammary gland. This is no longer just a dermatological problem. But the most dangerous thing in such a clinical picture is the consequences that await the patient if she seeks help from a specialist too late.

When breastfeeding, pus will enter the baby’s body along with the milk.

Complications and consequences

If a woman feeds her newborn with her milk, and there is a problem with the integrity of the skin of the nipple, the consequences of such a combination are very dire.

When feeding, blood streaks may enter the baby's body along with the mother's milk. If an infection gets into the wound, it enters the baby's body along with the blood, infecting it. The baby's body may refuse such nutrition. Not receiving enough nutrients, it remains hungry. This leads to problems with weight gain, developmental delays, and a bad psychological mood: the baby becomes more capricious and sleeps poorly.

The consequences for the woman lead to infection of the wound, further development of mastitis. Severe pain in the chest does not allow the young mother to express breast milk efficiently, which leads to its stagnation in the chest and, as a result, the formation of lactostasis.

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Complications

Complications that are possible with the progression of cracked nipples can cause serious health problems for a woman:

1. Development of lactostasis.
2. Inflammation of the mammary glands (mastitis).
3. Expansion of erosive areas.
4. The emergence of problems with lactation.

In the long term, the symptoms of the disease may force the young mother to stop breastfeeding.

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Diagnostics cracked nipples

Cracks on the nipple are perfectly visualized. And this is the first thing that catches the eye when examining the mammary glands. Subsequent diagnostics are carried out by a doctor - a mammologist or gynecologist.

1. The woman will have to answer a number of questions:

• How long ago did the discomfort appear?
• How often are feedings?
• How long does a baby suckle?
• How a woman takes care of her mammary glands.
• Her medical history.
• And a number of others.

1. The specialist conducts a visual examination of the nipple itself and also assesses the condition of the mammary glands.

• The presence of swelling and hyperemia of the skin.
• Presence of bleeding wounds.
• Are there any foci of suppuration?
• Lumps in the mammary gland area.

1. Laboratory research.
2. Instrumental diagnostics.
3. Differentiation of the problem.

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Tests

A clinical urine analysis that allows one to answer the question about the presence or absence of an inflammatory process in the patient’s body, as well as a number of other characteristics by which an experienced specialist can draw conclusions about the woman’s health.

Blood test: blood count, hemoglobin level, blood clotting characteristics, etc.

If necessary, a study of the discharge appearing from the nipple is carried out. The consistency, shade, transparency are assessed, and a bacterial analysis of the fluid is also carried out, which allows identifying the invasive pathogenic flora and establishing its affiliation.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostics may include the following methods:

1. Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands (ultrasound).
2. Mammography is an X-ray technique for examining the mammary glands.
3. If necessary, magnetic resonance imaging may be prescribed.

These techniques allow you to assess the situation with the mammary gland, milk ducts and nipple.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics is performed by an experienced qualified specialist.

He analyzes the results of laboratory tests, excludes diseases that do not fit into the diagnostic results, makes the correct diagnosis and prescribes adequate treatment.

Treatment cracked nipples

The doctor first assesses the severity of the damage to the areola and, based on this, prescribes treatment for cracked nipples.

If cracks have just appeared, a woman only needs to treat the affected areola with one of the antiseptic and wound-healing agents three times a day. These can be either pharmacological agents or herbal agents.

If the problem bothers a woman for more than five days, then most likely the wounds are already infected, and the proliferation of bacteria or microscopic pathogenic fungi is progressing in them. This almost always ends with purulent inflammation (mastitis), which should be treated with antibiotics. For the period of treatment, the young mother will have to stop breastfeeding.

Antibiotics may be prescribed as either local or general action drugs.

Local antibiotics include: dexpanthenol, purelan with lanolin, zinc oxide, pentanol-D, sudocrem, bepanten, zinc paste or ointment, desitin, radevita and a number of others.

General-purpose antibiotics include: penicillins, cefaclor, rovamycin, tetracyclines, erythromycin, spiramycin, cefamandole, clarithromycin and others.

In such a situation, surgical treatment is also possible (opening the abscess, sanitizing the cavity, installing drainage).

Caring for cracked nipples

Any woman, and especially a young mother, must know and be able to properly care for her breasts. Care for cracked nipples requires:

1. Before each feeding, wipe your breasts with clean water, without using soap, blotting them with a soft towel.
2. Consult a specialist and find out how to properly breastfeed your baby, in what position it is best to do it. Almost the entire areola should fit in the newborn's mouth. If necessary, exclude breast pads.
3. After feeding, lubricate the areola with an ointment prescribed by a specialist, for example, sea buckthorn oil or lanolin ointment.
4. If necessary, use special pads for feeding. This will reduce trauma to the nipple and, therefore, prevent cracks from forming.
5. It is necessary to review your cosmetics and hygiene products. They should be of high quality and hypoallergenic. It is better to switch to breast treatment with cosmetics made for sensitive baby skin during feeding.
6. Review your wardrobe. Clothes should not restrict movement, press or rub. The material should be only natural and of good quality. This will help to avoid allergic reactions and normalize adequate air exchange.
7. If deep cracks are observed, feeding should be stopped and specialist help should be sought for complete and effective treatment.

Medicines

Let's take a closer look at the medications that may be included in the treatment protocol for cracked nipples.

The basis of treatment for the pathology discussed in this article is local healing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ointments and creams.

The most commonly used are: dexpanthenol, panthenol, d-panthenol, bepanthen.

Bepanten, developed on the basis of the active substance dexpanthenol, is used as an antifungal and antimicrobial antibiotic. It is applied to the damaged areola, after the end of feeding, with light massaging movements. The duration of this therapy is determined individually, based on the severity of the pathology and the depth of the cracks.

Bepanten is not used in the treatment protocol if there is an individual intolerance to its components.

But after five days, it is better to replace this drug with an analogue. This will help to avoid addiction and significantly expand the range of action on pathogenic flora. For example, it can be olazol, neoderm, triderm.

The combined pharmacological agent olazol is applied externally. It is an excellent antiseptic with anesthetic, wound-healing and antibacterial properties. Before use, shake the aerosol can well. Then bring it to the affected area at a distance of one to five centimeters and spray. This drug is used once a day or every other day. The duration of treatment is one to two weeks. If necessary, it can be extended.

Contraindications to olazol include hypersensitivity to any of its components, as well as if the patient has a history of severe kidney damage, pregnancy and lactation.

Treatment of cracked nipples

To get rid of the problem as quickly as possible, without stopping breastfeeding the baby, it is necessary to properly treat cracked nipples.

A young mother can wipe the areola with her own milk after each feeding – this is an excellent prevention of cracks. Even with minor wounds, this is enough for them to heal. After all, mother's milk contains many substances that have healing properties.

If the crack is not infected but is large, the specialist may suggest that the woman use special pads that will protect the nipple during feeding, giving it more time to heal.

If cracks and suppuration are combined, surgical treatment may be necessary. The doctor will have to open the abscess and sanitize the affected cavity. In the postoperative period, the affected nipple will have to be treated with a drug belonging to the antibiotic group. Local antibiotics are mainly prescribed. Only in particularly severe cases can broad-spectrum drugs be prescribed, taken orally or subcutaneously.

Nipple pads for cracked nipples

If the damage to the integrity of the areola dermis is minor, the doctor will offer the nursing mother nipple pads for cracks. This device can be purchased at any pharmacy today. These pads are made of thin, inert, and hypoallergenic silicone.

This pad is placed on the painful nipple and it is this that the newborn grasps with his mouth. It may not be possible to completely eliminate the pain, but its intensity will be significantly reduced. In this case, the main condition of therapy is achieved: the nipple stops being injured during feeding.

But there are also a number of disadvantages of this method:

1. The mammary gland is not completely emptied, which requires additional pumping.
2. The baby is not getting the necessary amount of mother's milk. It may be necessary to supplement it with expressed milk from a bottle.

These tips are used temporarily until the problem is resolved.

Folk remedies

If cracks appear on the nipples, folk remedies can be used.

The most popular are juices of a number of medicinal plants (Kalanchoe, aloe, celandine), infusions, decoctions and ointments of single herbs or their collections, as well as a number of other folk remedies.

For example, a prepared 1% alcohol solution of brilliant green or a 1% silver-containing solution of lapis can be used as an antiseptic.

Propolis tincture has proven itself well. To prepare it, you will need 100 mg of vegetable oil (it can be olive or sunflower) and one tablespoon of crushed bee product. Combine the ingredients. Leave for three weeks in a dark place. Lightly sterilize. Use to lubricate nipples. Store in a dark, cool place.

Our grandmothers recommended lubricating the areolas with butter, fish oil, or melted internal fat from birds.

But the basis of treatment is still herbs.

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Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment helps to quickly and effectively solve the problem of nipple trauma. We are ready to offer several such recipes.

Recipe #1

1. Make a medicinal mixture by taking equal proportions of yarrow, St. John's wort, horsetail and marsh cudweed. Grind and mix the ingredients.
2. Infuse two tablespoons of the medicinal mixture in one liter of boiling water for 20 minutes.
3. Strain and use the liquid to treat the areola.

Recipe #2

1. Make a medicinal mixture: yarrow herb - four parts, chamomile - one part, calendula flowers - one part. Grind and mix the ingredients.
2. Add two tablespoons of the medicinal mixture to half a liter of boiling water. Leave for one hour.
3. Strain and use the liquid as an application on the affected nipple.

Recipe #3

1. Take three tablespoons of juice from three-year-old aloe leaves, onion juice and fish oil. Mix the ingredients thoroughly in a container.
2. Add a little wheat flour, kneading an elastic dough.
3. Form the cakes and apply them as an applique to the sore spot, secure with a bandage and leave overnight.
4. After waking up, remove the "medicine" and wipe the nipples with a herbal decoction. This can be chamomile, calendula, nettle, sage, oak bark, plantain.

Homeopathy

Modern homeopathy allows us to effectively heal wounds and relieve other symptoms caused by the appearance of cracks on a woman’s nipples.

In our case, homeopathic doctors are ready to offer the following medicines: graphite, causticum hahnemani, phytolacca americana, silica.

Homeopathic ointments such as ointments based on arnica, St. John's wort or calendula, medicinal products in the form of sea buckthorn oils, olive and cedar oil, and an oil solution of chlorophyllipt are effectively used. Ready-made purchased tinctures of calendula flowers, mullein, birch leaves and many other herbal medicines are also widely used, ready to come to the aid of a woman in the matter of preventing and treating cracked nipples.

Surgical treatment

In some cases, doctors have to resort to surgical treatment when treating cracked nipples. An indication for it may be an abscess. Inflammatory and purulent processes occurring in breast tissue can cause many problems and complications. Therefore, in such a situation, the attending physician raises the issue of immediate surgical intervention.

A small incision is made in the area of the abscess, all the pus is removed and the wound is sanitized. If necessary, if the purulent sac is large enough, drainage is installed to remove the remaining purulent discharge and ichor. Sutures are applied.

After two or three days, the drainage is removed. The surgical site must be treated with local antibiotics.

Prevention

It is advisable to prevent the formation of cracks on a woman's nipples. To do this, it is worth following simple but effective prevention rules.

1. Breast hygiene:
   • You should not wash your breasts often with soap, which dries out the delicate skin of the areola. Use only pH-neutral soap, treating your nipples with it no more than twice a day.
   • Use high-quality cosmetics for the body and baths.
   • Bath accessories (towel, washcloth, etc.) should not be too hard.
   • Make it a practice to let your chest skin breathe for a few minutes every day. This element of the body should not overheat, as well as overcool.
2. The clothes a woman wears should be comfortable, selected according to size and model. This is especially true for a bra. It should not be tight or rubbing. It is no secret that many representatives of the fair sex buy this attribute based on their aesthetic tastes (like it or not). Some women who suffer from large breasts try to fit them into a smaller bra, trying to visually reduce their dignity.
3. Clothing, especially underwear, should preferably be made from natural fibers.
4. The same applies to bed linen.
5. Without a doctor's prescription, you should not get carried away with treating your nipples with alcohol-containing compounds.
6. Treat inflammatory and infectious diseases promptly and completely.
7. Do not ignore regular preventive examinations with a gynecologist and/or mammologist.
8. Avoid prolonged exposure to the scorching sun. Topless tanning and solariums, which are so fashionable today, are especially harmful.
9. Avoid hypo- and avitaminosis. A woman's diet should be complete and rational.
10. Protect your chest from injury.

Rules that must be followed when feeding your baby:

1. You should consult a specialist and learn how to properly latch your newborn to the breast.
2. The process itself should not be allowed to take longer than 40 minutes.
3. After feeding, very carefully, so as not to injure, remove the nipple from the newborn's mouth.
4. After feeding, before putting on a bra, you should use special disposable pads. They can be purchased at any pharmacy today. They sanitize the surface, prevent pathogenic flora invasion and protect the nipple from drying out.
5. If you suspect that your baby is having trouble grasping the entire areola, you should show him to a pediatrician. Perhaps he has a short frenulum and it should be cut. There is no need to be afraid of this. The procedure takes a couple of minutes, and healing takes several hours.
6. After feeding, it is advisable to gently massage the nipples, using breast milk for lubrication. This massage will stimulate the production of special fats that will moisturize and protect the nipple.
7. If necessary, you should use special silicone pads that will protect the areola from constant injury.
8. Prevent milk from stagnating in the mammary gland by expressing after the main feeding.
9. Alternate breasts at each feeding.

Cream for the prevention of cracked nipples

Creams are also used to prevent cracked nipples. Such medications have wound-healing, disinfectant, and pain-relieving properties, which allows for quick and high-quality treatment.

A group of drugs is divided depending on the chemical substance that forms its basis:

1. Creams and ointments developed on the basis of dexpanthenol, which has wound-healing properties:
   • Dexpanthenol.
   • Cornegel.
   • Pentanol - D.
   • Bepanthen.
2. Medicinal pharmaceutical preparations made on the basis of zinc oxide. This active chemical compound has high disinfectant, antibacterial properties. They are applied locally. They help prevent infectious lesions of damaged skin:
   • Desitin.
   • Sudocrem.
   • Zinc paste.
   • Zinc ointment.
   • Cindol.
3. Creams based on retinol (vitamin A, activates tissue regeneration processes, promotes rapid healing, makes the skin soft and elastic).
   • Radevit – its basis is a vitamin complex (vitamins A, D and E).
   • Retinoic ointment.
   • We see.
4. Creamy structures based on natural aromatic oils. These products make the skin softer and more elastic, they have a wound-healing effect:
   • Nipple cream from Mama Comfort.
   • Serum from Mamma Donna.
5. A medicinal product produced on the basis of lanolin - a fatty structure made from animal fats. Nourishes, moisturizes and protects:
   • Nipple cream Lanolin.
   • MultiMam cream.
6. Special medications that work effectively to heal skin damage:
   • Actovegin, available in the form of cream, ointment and gel.
   • Solcoseryl in the form of gel or ointment.
7. Products based on plant extracts and hydromineral raw materials. Activate the skin's ability to resist nipple cracking, relieve irritation symptoms:
   • Nipple balm "9 months".
   • Vulnusan ointment.

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Forecast

If a woman has taken action and sought help from a qualified specialist or is taking adequate preventive measures against areola cracking, the prognosis for treating the cracks is favorable.

A woman's breasts are a woman's reproductive and aesthetic pride, and if they cause discomfort, the problem is aggravated not only by physical but also psychological torment. Therefore, it is advisable to prevent cracks in the nipples by taking preventive measures, rather than suffer from them. But if it so happens that the skin has dried out and wounds have formed on it, you should not despair. It is necessary to seek help from a specialist as soon as possible and take adequate measures to get rid of the problem. Take care of yourself and be healthy!