Cracked Nipples BEFORE BIRTH - TMI sorry

[Chelle1986]

Currently 27 weeks and although my boobs are not really sore at all, my nipples are more sensitive.

Over the last week or two I have notice that right in the centre of both nipples (what would be the 'teat' area) they are both cracked and look really sore - even though they aren't? Any advice please on what this may be and how I can stop it? I haven't started leaking any milk yet.

Chelle.x

I am also suffering from this a bit (though not so bad today as the last few days), I'm also 27 weeks.

I did think maybe soem moisturising cream would help, but I'm not sure I want to put anything on that might exacerbate the problem.

I hope someone will be along shortly to offer some advice...

Bump - because I've got the same problem at 27wks! I've been using Aqueous cream but not sure if it's the right thing to do...

Are they cracked and bleeding? Or just developing tiny little fissures? I've noticed mine doing the latter as the nipples get bigger and change, but it's not painful and there's no bleeding.

If it's painful and/or bleeding, I would get your midwife or Gp to check it. You may have a skin fungal infection already that'll need treating.

No not painful or bleeding - more like little tiny, dry white speckles??

I have 'tiny little fissures' - kind of like the very end of mu nipple is made of many many tiny bumps instead of being smooth. I also get the 'dry white speckles', which I assumed was dried colostrum that has leaked in the day and then dried. I also get slightly white stains/patches on the inside of black bras, which seems to back up the 'dried leakage' theory!

I am 21wks with twins and have been having these symptons since about 12wks. It hasn't developed into anything sore, smelly or particularly unsightly, so I'm not worrying too muchm

I've had some dried colustrum too. That's what I assumed it was.

Cracked nipples are actual cracks in the skin, usually very sore.

Mine have been very dry and a bit flaky. Not sore though. Thought it was just peeling after some topless sunbathing on my last hol, but after reading this I'm wondering if it's preg related.
So many gross things happen to you during preg!

Possible thrush infections? Fairly common due to the hormone and blood sugar changes affecting your skin bacteria - sometimes the thrushy bacteria just take over. Common when B/f too.

Maybe nipple cream (Mothercare etc do special ones) might help if it's just caused by the skin being drier than usual, but cracks sound a bit thrushy to me. Easy to sort with anti thrush cream from GP - doesn't absorb into the body to any great degree so safe to use, especially later in pregnancy.

Haven't had it in pregnancy but had it a couple of times in early weeks of B/F.