Remedies for cracked nipples

The skin of the nipples is tender and sensitive, so it can be injured with the formation of cracks (fissures). Most often, this problem is faced by breastfeeding women, who not only have to endure pain, but also are exposed to the threat of bacteria getting in through cracks, which leads to inflammation and can cause purulent mastitis. But there are effective and affordable remedies for cracked nipples: ointments, creams, oils and vitamins.

What creams and ointments for cracked nipples are most often used and recommended by doctors?

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Ointments for cracked nipples with vitamin B5

Panthenol ointment (other trade names – Bepanten, Pantoderm) is recognized as an effective remedy for cracked nipples due to its dexpanthenol derivative of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). This vitamin is involved in tissue regeneration processes in the body and, when absorbed into the skin when applied externally, normalizes intracellular metabolism, stimulating the restoration of damaged nipple tissue. The ointment contains lanolin as an auxiliary substance (there is actually three times more of it than dexpanthenol); this is a natural compound of saturated fatty acids – palmitic and ceretic (in the form of isocholesterol esters).

The ointment also contains medical petroleum jelly (a mixture of purified petroleum paraffins), which retains moisture in the skin well, preventing it from cracking. The official instructions for Panthenol ointment state that before feeding the baby, the nipple should be freed from ointment residues using a napkin and boiled water. Obviously, this is due to two factors. Firstly, you should avoid getting petroleum jelly on the mucous membranes. Secondly, pantothenic acid that enters the baby's body during feeding can increase the production of acetylcholine, which may result in increased diuresis, sleep problems, abdominal pain and bloating, constipation or diarrhea.

Contains 5% dexpanthenol and MamaCare cream for cracked nipples (Ukraine); in addition, it contains sea buckthorn and calendula oils, vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids - linoleic and linolenic.

Creams for cracked nipples with lanolin

The already mentioned lanolin, produced by the sebaceous glands of wool-covered animals, in particular sheep (it is lanolin from sheep's wool that is used in medicine and the cosmetic industry) is the main active ingredient in such popular remedies for cracked nipples as Medela cream (Swiss-made), also known as Purelan cream.

Modern analytical methods have revealed certain physicochemical similarities between lanolin and the lipids (fats) of the stratum corneum of human skin. Lipids help regulate the skin's hydration level. External preparations containing lanolin are used to treat or prevent dry skin and pruritus (itching).

And the cream for cracked nipples Avent - Moisturising Soothing Nipple Cream (Philips Avent) includes not only lanolin, but also coconut oil and aloe extract (aloe vera). Coconut oil is rich in lauric and myristic fatty acids and contains up to 1% vitamin E; aloe leaf juice and the extract obtained from it contain biologically active substances (glycosides, anthrones, lectins, etc.). This cream moisturizes the skin well and helps heal uninfected fissures. However, aloe is known for its laxative properties (due to the presence of anthraquinone glycosides), so when using Avent cream, the nipples should also be washed before latching the baby to the breast.

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Other pharmacological agents for cracked nipples

Solcoseryl ointment or gel, as well as its synonym (generic) Actovegin cream, recommended as a remedy for cracked nipples, are quite popular on the domestic market.

The main active ingredient of these products is a biogenic stimulant made from protein-free (deproteinized) calf blood serum. According to the manufacturers, low-molecular hemodialysate promotes pain relief and healing of wounds, trophic ulcers and burns, stimulates regeneration of skin and subcutaneous tissue with minimal scarring. The official instructions do not recommend using Solcoseryl for cracks in the juices.

Solcoseryl is banned by the FDA as a medicine in the USA, and also in Canada by the National Pharmacology Regulatory Authority (NAPRA). Actovegin cream has also been banned in these countries since 2011, and in Western Europe, Australia and Japan this product has no official approval for use as a medicine.

In the treatment of inflamed pustular (streptococcal and staphylococcal) inflammations, the following can be used as ointments for cracked nipples:

• Synthomycin (1% synthomycin emulsion) is a bacteriostatic antibiotic of the chloramphenicol (levomycetin) group;
• Levomekol (levomycetin + methyluracil) polyethylene oxides, which are part of this ointment, when ingested by a newborn in significant quantities can cause acidosis, bloating, diarrhea, hemodynamic disturbances, decreased blood pressure and body temperature.
• Methyluracil is a 10% ointment based on a substance that is a non-steroidal anabolic capable of accelerating the restoration of damaged tissues, stimulating the synthesis of blood cells (leukocytes and erythrocytes); recommended for the treatment of radiation damage to the skin, purulent wounds, burns, trophic ulcers, bedsores, dermatitis, etc.
• For weeping cracks with dermatitis or streptoderma the following are suitable:
• zinc oxide containing zinc ointment, which works as an antiseptic and antiexudant; relieves inflammation and irritation, but forms crusts on the skin;
• Sudocrem (analogue - Desitin ointment) contains zinc oxide, the astringent properties of which are softened by lanolin;
• Antiseptic ointment Vinilin for cracked nipples (Polivinox) with the development of purulent inflammation (mastitis) is now used very rarely, although it helps restore the epithelium; however, it should not be used without consulting a doctor.

Folk remedies for cracked nipples

The most common folk remedies for cracked nipples include oils, vitamins, bee products (propolis and honey), and medicinal plants.

Which oil is the most effective? Sea buckthorn oil is considered to be the most effective for cracked nipples – due to the presence of omega fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic), monounsaturated fatty acids (palmitic), carotenoids (β-carotene, zeaxanthin and lycopene), tocopherol (vitamin E), tocotrienols and plant sterols.

The following oils are also recommended for treating cracked nipples: cocoa butter, rosehip oil, eucalyptus oil, almond oil, peach oil, and tea tree oil.

Vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties for cracked nipples, helps protect the skin from infections and also facilitates the restoration of damaged epithelium.

Vitamin A for cracked nipples (in the form of an oil solution of Retinol acetate) enhances the skin's ability to resist pathological keratinization. In pharmacies, you can find Vitaderm ointment with an oil solution of carotene.

Good home remedies include an emulsion for lubricating cracked nipples based on fish oil (rich in vitamin A) and propolis dissolved in warm boiled water, as well as a balm consisting of natural liquid honey (preferably May honey) and fish oil (in a ratio of 3:1).

Poorly healing cracks on the nipples are treated by people with compresses of fresh viburnum juice, a decoction of stinging nettle, a mixture of freshly squeezed carrot juice and aloe leaves (1:2). And when thrush appears on the nipples, it is recommended to wash the nipples with decoctions of burdock roots, black elder flowers and calendula, or walnut leaves.

Properly selected cream or ointments for cracked nipples will help prevent cracked nipples and speed up their healing. Antibacterial ointments are sometimes needed for infectious inflammation. But no other moisturizers usually used for other parts of the body should be applied to the nipple area! And carefully look at what is included in this or that remedy for cracked nipples.

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