Stubborn milk bleb

[Laura1609]

I need some help! I’ve got a milk bleb which won’t shift and it’s so painful! I’ve been to see a GP who was no help and she asked two midwives at the surgery for advice and they couldn’t help either. I’ve tried hand expressing in a hot bath and with a clean fingernail trying to scratch off the skin to release it, Epsom salt baths and hot compresses before each feed, taking lecithin. It’s also causing blocked ducts as the milk is just getting backed up behind it. Any other tips please?!!

Ouch! Maybe try something like Vaseline or lanolin and apply really regularly to keep the skin moist in the hope that will help it along? Does it have a head (if you know what I mean!) Would a sterilised needle be any use? Do you have a LaLeche League group nearby? The leaders might be able to offer some further help?

Ooooohhh I feel your pain. I recently had one and it was agonising. I dispatched it by using hot compresses, a sterilized needle to clear an opening (this really didn't hurt at all, i just pricked the top off, like you might with a blister) and then expressing. I then fed loads from that side and it resolved quickly after that.

@Sunshinegirl82 @witching thank you for your replies. On Sunday it was looking like more of a blister so I used the sterilised needle trick, nothing came out though but my DS managed to feed longer on there and unblocked the duct. Now it just looks like a yellowish white dry dot but so painful when he latches on.

Nothing came out when I used the needle either, but when I pumped immediately after I could see what had been backing up behind it. Mine was only ever very small and hard but boy it was the worst pain. If you can bear to repeat the steps again?

I think using a needle again on the area is your best bet as @Witching suggested. Then give it a good squeeze and pump and see what happens.

@Sunshinegirl82 @Witching not sure where the needle can go now though as it’s totally flat and looks deep in the nipple...?

Can you use the needle to just break the very top of it that is visible? The visible bit of mine was really v small, but there was clearly a lot going on behind it. Hot compress before and after. Have you got a pump? Really feeling it for you! If that doesn't do it you will really need further help before you end up with mastitis. My GP was useless but did make an offer to lance it for me if it persisted...

I'm not sure I'm describing it very well, but I used the needle just to sort of scratch the top of the bleb open by holding the needle flat against against it and pricking it up. You almost shouldn't feel anything by doing it that way, it's just lifting dead skin/old milk.

I’ll give it a go! Might have to recruit DH to help!

Hi @Laura1609, I'm going through the same thing right now and my GO & HV aren't helping at all. Please how did you get rid of yours?

I wish I could tell you but I just had to persevere with hot compressing, massage and taking sunflower lecithin. It took about 8 weeks and eventually disappeared 🤷‍♀️ I’ve continued taking lecithin to avoid blocked ducts again. Good luck x