How to Get Rid of a Milk Blister

How to Get Rid of a Milk Blister

How to Get Rid of a Milk Blister

Breast milk is a baby's primary source of nourishment. The child must suck on the mother's teat throughout the day to cover his or her nutritional requirements as well as satisfying hunger. There is nothing too complicated with the process, unless the mother has a milk blister. The blister, caused by skin growth on the milk duct, is formed on the nipple or areola. It is painful, making breastfeeding an agonizing experience. You can't afford not to feed your baby on time, which is why you should learn how to get rid of a milk blister.

Milk Blister CausesThe growth of skin on the nipple, which leads to the appearance of milk blisters, is caused by several conditions. Some of them are pretty normal occurrences, so you should be watchful.

• oversupply of milk
• presence of yeast on the nipple
• too much pressure on the nipple area
• wrongly used breast pump
• wrong breastfeeding position for the baby

Another nipple blister is often mistaken for the milk blister. The friction blister is colored red, since blood is trapped behind the skin. A milk blister, on the other hand, is white, as influenced by the milk's color. The blisters have slightly different treatments.

Remedies for Milk BlistersA milk blister heals naturally over time, just like any blister. The problem is, waiting for several days or even weeks is simply too long for the mother and perhaps the baby. Each remedy aims to shorten the blister's healing time, so you will still have at least a few days to endure the ordeal. If the remedies fail to improve the healing progress, better consult your doctor. He or she will then administer the most suitable treatment for you.

Topical SolutionsTopical solutions used to treat milk blisters are made from natural ingredients. Using anti-inflammation creams is a big no-no, since they may harm the baby upon feeding. The solutions are easy to prepare, so you can use them whenever necessary.

• Lecithin - Lecithin treats and prevents the development of milk blisters. Apply liberal amounts on the blister and it will soon subside then disappear. The substance is normally used as a food additive or an ingredient for medicine, so you don't need to fear for the safety of your baby.
• Vitamin E Cream - Vitamin E is known for cell repair, which makes it a decent supplementary treatment. Apply only a tiny amount of the solution on the blister. Your baby's underdeveloped system may not withstand its components. Better wipe the substance off your nipple before breastfeeding.
• Grapefruit and Vinegar Solution - Grapefruit and vinegar comes as a good combination for treating milk blisters. Vinegar, with its high acidity, disinfects the blister and remedies the infection and inflammation. On the other hand, grapefruit moisturizes the blister's surface, making it softer. The functions of both items lead to the speedier healing of the skin condition.

All three solutions are effective, but may be unsatisfactory for moms with extremely painful blisters. Good thing a more comprehensive treatment is available to control milk blisters. Just use the three as supplementary remedies if ever you plan to follow the next blister remedy.

Ideal Treatment for Milk BlistersQuickly treating milk blisters involve several steps. It is more tedious than simply applying topical solutions, but the entire procedure is easy to follow.

Materials Used:

• saline soak solution
• epsilom salt solution
• hot compress
• cloth
• water
• breast pump
• any of the topical solutions
• sterile needle (if necessary)
• ibuprofen (if necessary)

Procedure:

Apply generous amounts of saline solution on the blister.

Mix a cup of hot water with two teaspoons of epsilom salt.

Apply the solution to the blister.

Once done, soften the blister by applying hot compress. Observe it if the skin will open, allowing the milk to escape.

If it fails to do so, rub the blister with a damp piece of cloth.

Try pricking the blister with a clean fingernail or a sterile needle. Ask a professional to do this step if you're unsure. Take ibuprofen or apply cold compress, in case, you don't have a high threshold for pain.

Use a breast pump to remove the milk trapped within the blister. You can also use your hands to pressure the milk out.

Apply saline solution on the nipple as well as any of the topical solutions mentioned. Continue application until the wound heals.

The blister clearly prevents you to breastfeed using the affected nipple. Use the uninfected one until the other fully heals. In a few days, your breastfeeding routine should be back to normal.

Consult Your DoctorIf you think you can't perform the treatment procedure, better consult your doctor. He or she will do a similar procedure using the advanced medical equipment in the hospital, some of them help milk blisters expel milk easily. Proper medicine will also be advised and administered on the wound, which fosters quick healing. For a certain fee, you'll receive the best treatment for milk blisters.

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