What is going on here? / nipple pain

[zannster]

I am currently nursing my 16 month old. About six days ago, I developed a sore, lumpy area and overall breast soreness - which I assumed to be a plugged duct. There was no indication that it was mastitis. I continued to nurse DD. Pain was moderate but bearable (and better after nursing). There was moderate nipple pain as well, but also bearable. Within a day and a half, the hard spot disappeared, and it looked as if we were done.

BUT...the nipple pain has gotten progressively worse. I have continued to nurse DD, but it is now to the point that my nipple is excruciating when she nurses, and I just can't do it anymore. Why would the nipple pain get worse after the other problem is gone? I don't think thrush is involved...there's no radiating pain, and the other breast/nipple is fine. 

During the plugged duct time, I got the feeling that milk was not coming out very well, nor coming out of as many openings as it normally does. The nipple was white in the center (which at first I thought was just milk, but I then I decided the skin had lost color). One time when I looked at it, there was a bright red spot in the center, like a pixel. That went away though. Now it looks perfectly normal - it just hurts like hell. If her latch is wrong, I have no idea how to fix it, because it looks okay (and again, the other side is fine). Maybe she's still sucking harder, like she did while it was blocked? Should I give it a rest for a while? I don't want to risk another plugged duct. Should I apply anything? Any other suggestions?

[PatioGardener]

Could it be a milk blister? Excruciating pain from a blockage right at the nipple. I had one that came after a nasty plugged duct. I had to work for several days to free the duct and unblock the blister.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipplebleb.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html#usualtreatment

I would NOT decrease nursing on that side at all for fear of making it worse.

Good luck!

[zannster]

Hmm. The white spot that I saw earlier could have been a blister, but I don't see anything like that now. It looks normal to me .

[PatioGardener]

Mine didn't show as a blister until I tried to express milk from that spot. I think my plugged duct actually went from nipple to almost my armpit . Anyway - may be worth investigating if that is the issue because at least for me it was SO painful!

[bigwater]

I have gotten many many blisters during the past 13 months.  And especially while my DD is teething (this week and two weeks ago)  For some reason she just does a lot of damage when she's getting new teeth, changes her latch somehow?

They are usually clear and can be quite small although the more painful the bigger they are.  Recently, I was just told to use olive oil on sore nipples (I know pretty basic I'm sure but after months of battling sore/cracked nipples, vasospasm, blocked ducts, blisters and thrush I have never tried it)

If it is a blister, it does go away through nursing.  Applying moist heat before nursing helps.  Nurse on the not painful side first (even if for a minute) then baby will be less forceful with painful nipple.

Good luck!

[zannster]

Thanks. That may be true about nursing on the unsore side first. I have been nursing her on the sore side first when she goes to sleep, because she usually stays awake long enough to nurse on both sides and then sucks longer on the second side. 

Yesterday, nursing was still very painful, but it seemed a little more bearable this morning, so I'm hoping that this problem is on its way out!