White spots on the nipples: 5 causes and how to deal with them

The appearance of white spots or patches on your nipples may worry you. Sometimes these spots make your breast area sore or painful. Actually, what causes the appearance of spots or white spots around the nipples? Can it be lost? Find the answer here.

Causes of white patches on the nipples

Source: Australian Breastfeeding Association

White spots or patches on the nipples of the breasts can be caused by many things, from trivial ones to those that need special attention.

Why do white patches appear in the nipple area? Here are the causes of white spots on the nipples and how to deal with them.

1. Pregnancy and hormonal changes

The nipples undergo several changes during pregnancy, such as the appearance of small bumps around your areola. These lumps are called Montgomery tubercles, which are glands that release an oily substance to keep the nipples soft and supple.

These glands also lubricate your nipples and tell your baby to breastfeed with a special aroma that is released. The scent of this oily substance encourages and assists the baby in finding the nipple when first feeding.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause these glands to enlarge. However, this condition can also occur when a woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding. Other hormonal changes can cause the same thing in your nipples.

The most common causes of changes in female hormones include the menstrual cycle, taking birth control pills, or entering menopause.

How to handle it?

Montgomery tubercles are harmless and do not need special care. This condition will generally return to normal once your hormone levels have stabilized. However, these spots should not be squashed as this can lead to infection.

2. Clogged nipple pores

When you breastfeed your baby, milk flows out of the nipple through openings called pores. Sometimes, the pores of the nipple can become clogged by lumps of milk.

If your skin closes the pores of the nipple, it can form blisters of milk. The duct behind the nipple can also become blocked.

Blisters can cause white spots or patches on your nipples, which can be as painful as a prickling sensation. These blisters can be light yellow or pink in color, and the skin around them turns red.

When breastfeeding, the pressure your baby applies to suck on the nipple will usually clear the blockage. However, if the blockage doesn't go away, you could develop a breast infection known as mastitis.

How to handle it?

If the pores on your nipples don't go away on their own, you can do some of these things to help treat them.

Apply warm compresses to the breasts and nipples before breastfeeding.
Cold compresses after breastfeeding to reduce discomfort.
Take a warm shower and gently rub the clogged nipples with a towel.
Instruct the baby to breastfeed from the breast where the pores of the nipple are clogged first.
Position the baby's lower jaw close to the lump caused by a blocked duct.
Take a pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen), to reduce discomfort.

When the skin grows over the nipple pores and the milk blisters, the above treatments may not always work to unclog the pores.

You need to visit a doctor for proper treatment. The doctor may use a sterile needle to unclog the pores of the nipple.

3. Subareolar abscess

A subareolar abscess is a buildup of pus in the breast tissue caused by a bacterial infection. This condition is often caused by mastitis that is not handled properly until it is complete.

This abscess does not always occur when a woman is breastfeeding, but can also be caused by bacteria that enter the breast tissue through a wound, such as a pimple or nipple piercing.

How to handle it?

Subareolar abscesses are usually treated with antibiotics. However, sometimes if the abscess doesn't heal, the doctor may suggest surgery to drain the pus from the breast tissue.

4. Yeast infection

Often referred to fungal infectionsthrush caused byCandida albicans. You can have this condition if you or your baby have recently taken antibiotics or have had a vaginal yeast infection.

Apart from causing white spots or patches on the nipples, your nipples will also become red and feel very painful. This yeast infection is highly contagious, so you can pass it to your baby and vice versa.

How to handle it?

The doctor will give you and your baby an antifungal medicine, in the form of a cream or oral medicine. Also, wash your bra frequently and keep your breasts dry during the treatment period.

5. Herpes

Although the herpes simplex virus usually infects the mouth and genitals, it can also affect the breasts. Usually, herpes on the breast passes to the mother from her newly infected baby during breastfeeding.

Herpes looks like a small, fluid-filled, red lump on the nipple. When the bumps heal, they form scabs. Your baby may have the same bumps on their skin.

How to handle it?

If you suspect you have herpes, see your doctor right away for a proper diagnosis. Generally, the doctor will recommend that you and your baby take antiviral medication for about a week to clear up the infection.

In addition, it is necessary to pump breast milk until the white spots disappear.