Could my nipple blister be causing my blocked duct?

[TedRoombax]

rolls eyes wearily at the whole bloody thing

I have a lovely big blister on one nipple. Huge, it is. Like a nipple on a nipple.

I also have a blocked duct that side.

Could the blister itself be the blockage? Causing the milk to back up?

I'm still feeding lots on that side.

Any thoughts?

[ImaHexGirl]

Sounds like it to me. I had one when DS was about 5/6 weeks. The blister was agony when feeding and it was clear there was a blockage behind it. The relief when the blister burst and the blockage cleared (fascinatingly gross!) was almost immediate. I think mine came about because the nipple had gotten very sore early on in feeding and didn't heal very well causing the blister and the blockage behind it.

Try a hot flannel to draw it out or perhaps talk to your HV?

[DrMcDreamysWife]

I would say definitely. I have in the past burst a blister myself. Tried A hot flannel in the shower, massaging the duct etc but in the end I sterilised a pin and popped the blister, then got dd to have a big feed and blockage was clear!

Not for the faint hearted but worked a treat!

[TedRoombax]

Right.

The blockage does seem to be getting a bit better. Blister not popped itself yet though.

All very sore.

You'd think 12 months into feeding my third child I'd be better at it.

[HappyAsASandboy]

I also sterilised a pin, then while in a warm bath to soften everything, I just scratched the surface of the blister with the pin.

String came out.

Then milk came through and the blocked duct cleared. I have to say that my blister was only very small though - looked like a small white pin head. If yours is very big, you may not want to try self-operating in the bath!

I hope you get it cleared soon :)

[sleepyhead]

It probably depends on what sort of blister it is.

If it's a milk blister (also called a bleb) then it's a duct that's got blocked and getting rid of it should help any backed-up milk to clear. Milk blisters are white and can sometimes be cleared by scratching off the top gently or a sterilised needle (carefully!!!)

If it's a friction blister caused by bad latch or similar then I'd be more cautious. Not sure a needle would be a great idea in this situation as breaking the skin again could introduce infection.