Pierced nipple crusty and peeling?

[RabbitMomma]

I'm about 24 weeks pregnant, and recently in the past few weeks I've noticed that my pierced nipple is peeling quite a bit and there is also a lot of gunge and crusties coming out of the piercing. It's really icky! I've had my nipple pierced for about 5 years and have never had any problems with it, it doesn't hurt or itch or anything, so could the crusties be milk or something that's spilling out through the hole? My other nipple is totally normal, aside from browning a bit at the edges. What gives?

[Jojobare]

Probably colostrum.  When your milk comes in it will travel through the holes too.   

[CrazyCatLady]

I had my nipples pierced for a long time.  My guess is also colostrum.  Unfortunately for me at least, the nipple piercings are staying out and I won't re-do them until my breastfeeding years are behind me.  It just wasn't compatible for me.  Though I know other woman who successfully keep their piercings and breastfeed.

I'm pregnant now and recently had to remove a few piercings, like my much loved dermal.  For some reason my body is rejecting them and not loving them this pregnancy even though it wasn't an issue during other pregnancies.  So infection or irritation could be another possible cause of what's happening with yours.

[RabbitMomma]

Thanks I thought it might be colostrum, I just thought it strange that it was only happening to my pierced nipple. I guess the leaking will happen sooner because there's a few more holes in that nipple? I'm really hoping I can keep my piercing in throughout breastfeeding! I've had to get rid of my conch and nose piercing during this pregnancy as well which I was none too pleased about! My nipple hasn't been giving me any discomfort yet, although I do get a weird cold sensation sometimes almost like I can feel the bar through my nipple. It's odd I've never had that sensation with any of my piercings including my nipple.

[bignerpie]

Originally Posted by RabbitMomma 

Thanks I thought it might be colostrum, I just thought it strange that it was only happening to my pierced nipple. I guess the leaking will happen sooner because there's a few more holes in that nipple?

That would be my guess. I had both of mine pierced, but took them out about 5 years before I even got pregnant. The holes are still there, and they leak like crazy! With my son, I had to wear nursing pads the last few months of pregnancy and the entire first year I breastfed him. This pregnancy, I started leaking around 15 weeks, but it's not too bad yet.

[aeterna]

I actually started having this problem a few years ago, long before I was pregnant. >.<

If your problem is like my problem, it's probably not related to lactation. It gets worse for me when I wear a tight-fitting bra, or any bra for long periods of time. Try easing up the pressure on the piercing (looser bra, and take it off when you get home) and see if that helps. =)