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?

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?

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!

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.

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 :)

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.