Painful small lump in armpit - breastfeeding

[LauzP]

Hi all, I am 3 months post partum and breast feeding, this is my second child. I noticed when showering a small pea sized lump under the skin in my arm pit, very tender to touch. I have contacted GP and awaiting app.
has anyone else had this? Breastfeeding specialist did say it could be blocked milk duct, but would clear on its own in a couple of days but it hasn’t and it is still there. Trying not to panic but anxiety is out of control waiting for GP… so just looking to hear / see what others may have experienced?

I had breast cancer and my lump didn't hurt at all, I'm guessing it could be linked to your breast feeding and a weird bit of mastitis.

I had a lump in my arm pit and had it removed and tested it was benign.

I had this. Loads of lymph nodes (about 5) all pea sizes. The doctor said it was a result of breastfeeding (blocked milk which triggers more white blood cells and hence inflamed lymph nodes) and that they should go on their own- but he said about 3 months.

I was 5 months post partum before they all disappeared with no treatments/drugs necessary.

But do get them checked out to reassure you, however they tend not to do tests as you are breastfeeding, and will most likely just tell you to
Monitor it or will prescribe antibiotics.

Did they hurt / or were tender to touch? I did read last night that they may not test while breastfeeding 🤦🏼‍♀️ glad to hear they went away for you! I’ve put in a request to my GP just waiting to hear back x You

Sorry to hear this, hope you have had / are recovering x

It sounds like a blocked milk duct to me, I think it's easy to forget to massage all the way up to the armpit when feeding. I used to get blockages there too. I think I read about it when feeding my first, the milk duct there even has a name, it's called the Tail of Spence.

If you keep feeding and apply a tiny amount of 1% hydrocortisone on the area, it should go in 1-2 days. You can do that while waiting to hear back from the gp

Hi op I had a blocked milk duct which sounds very similar to what you’re describing.

it was super super tender and painful .

it didn’t go away on its own, I had to help it along quite a lot!

Keep feeding, a lot. i think I kept offering the affected side first.

massage the lump towards the nipple as you feed (quite hard pressure)

lots of heat (stood in hot shower) various times throughout the day, again massaging it. Also used a wide toothed comb to comb the blocked duct towards the nipple. This worked in the end but it took some bloody doing.

solidarity op I know it’s not pleasant!

Hi, sounds like an inflamed duct/ductal
narrowing (we don’t call them plugged ducts anymore)

The guidance for managing these has now changed. So no hard massage (it’s inflamed skin after all so you need to be gentle with it), no heat but placing something cold is fine, use of NSAIDs fine too. Will attach article on new protocol for mastitis which covers all you need to know for narrowed ducts too:

https://www.formodernmothers.com/blog/new-mastitis-protocol

Hi, the guidance has changed quite a lot now just so you’re aware 🙂 I’ve linked for the OP in my message above.

Wow it really has! Ignore me then, outdated advice!

Thankyou everyone! Doctor got me in today, he seems to think it is a superficial gland and is something to do with the hair follicles and is common in young women who shave!? It says he has recorded superficial epidermal cyst. He said he wasn’t concerned and to go back in 2 weeks if it hasn’t gone / gets worse.