White spot on nipple...?

[Maia&Lia]

Title explains all...
I have a white spot on my nipple, a little larger than the size of a pin head. I did a google search and came up with a few possibilities (milk blister, bleb and something else). Has anyone ever had one of these before and what did you do to treat it?

Thanks!

BTW, can I post a picture of it here? I don't know the rules of posting pics (or even how to post them).

[Samuel's mum]

I welcome the precedent of you posting a boob pic! You could choose 'additional options' and attach a jpeg or image file. If you aren't feeling brave enough you could email it to me and I'll refrain from sending it to Playboy. I could PM you my email if you'd like.

Does it come and go with feeds or is it there to stay?

Does it bulge a little? My first guess would be a bleb - also called a milk blister. I helped my friend treat one a while back. Try and see if you can get it to 'break' with a natural feed or a bit of pumping (I'm assuming you've passed this stage). If not, then get some olive oil on a piece of cotton wool and it might adhere slightly and break off the top. Or rub with a clean washcloth. Failing that I would get a very clean finger nail and try and sweep across the top and break the seal. What you are aiming for is to break the seal and then try and compress out any milk that's backed up in that duct - it might squeeze out like a little bit of congealed toothpaste. Some also suggest using a sterilized pin very gently but I think that sounds way too scary and probably just one for the doc. General technique for all of this is to lift the edge of it to try and lift it off.

Once it's off soak with a gentle saline solution to prevent infection - important to nurse as normal.

If it doesn't budge I would visit a doc and he can take it off easily. If you leave it - it could mean blocked duct and eventually mastitis. Good Luck.

[Maia&Lia]

Hi Emma,
I think maybe it would be better for everyone if I send you the picture via email. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. Would you mind PMing me your email address? Thanks!

As far as the actual spot...it seems it stays for good (doesn't come and go with feedings, etc).
I haven't noticed if it bluged. Maybe you'll be able to tell better from a picture?

Seems so weird since I don't have any other symptoms (no noted plugged duct or tenderness). Hmm.

Anyway, if you send me your email then I'll try to get a shot of it and email it to you.

Thanks again!
-Alessia

[Samuel's mum]

Pming you now - I'm off to bath Sam - will check in a couple of hours.

[clh]

I don't know if this'll help or not, but when I was first bf'ing my ds, I developed a row of small, white, almost-blister-looking bumps.  My lc said it was a positioning issue.  I fixed the position & they went away.  It happened again a couple of months later when I got a little lazy.  I corrected again & they went away again. 

Since yours is a single spot, this may not have anything to do with what you have, but I wanted to throw it out there. 

Hope it heals soon, whatever it is. 

[Maia&Lia]

Thanks for the info, clh!
You know, I don't have ANY symptoms at all. I haven't noticed any pain, tenderness, heat...nothing. I'm just not sure what is going on. I may call a LC if Emma can't figure out whether or not it is a bleb. I don't even know if it needs any kind of "treatment" since I'm not really having any symptoms.

-Alessia

[Samuel's mum]

I don't think that's a bleb Alessia. It doesn't fit with the ones I've seen and it's  not white as you say in your email! I see your newest LO is only a month. My guess is that it's a 'skin tag'. During pregnancy many women manufacture extra blobs of skin in various places including on their nipples. I know - cos that's exactly where I had one.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_15294.asp

Skin tags. Skin tags are small, soft, flesh-colored growths or flaps that protrude from your skin. They usually form on the neck, breasts or armpits. They are most likely caused by hormonal changes. Skin tags do not go away on their own after delivery. A health care provider can easily remove them.

Google skin tags and you'll find references everywhere.

A bleb is at the very least whitish. And because it is effectively a blocked duct you would expect blocked duct symptoms to develop alongside it. When you compress the breast a blocked milk pore will bulge outwards. You'd get some discomfort.

My skin tag was on the edge of my nipple and it eventually came off by itself - through friction I guess - and it was completely painless. I'm not an expert but I reckon that's what you've got and that was a clear photo.

[Maia&Lia]

Hi Emma,
Thanks for your help! It is greatly appreciated. Still no signs of any plugged ducts, etc. so you're probably right. I'm going to see my OB in a week for my 6 week follow-up. I'll double check with her if it is still visible. I'll keep you posted if I learn of anything different.
-Alessia

[skatty]

Please keep an eye on it! I had a white spot on my nipple that turned to thrush and then i got mastitis and was told it was probably caused by germs entering from the thrush infection! I am still feeding after treatments for both but am sure I still have slight thrush in my right nipple. The doc has given me the biggest dose of meds she can while I am BF so I don't know what to donow apart from rub the cream I got for it on 

[Maia&Lia]

Thanks skatty!
I'll definitely keep an eye on it. Like I mentioned, I have an OB appointment next week so we'll see what she says if things haven't changed or if it is still visible.
I'll keep you guys posted in the event that it is something relevant.
-Alessia