Swelling of the nipples is very common at times when hormonal fluctuations occur, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding or during the menstrual period, not a cause for concern, as it is a symptom that eventually disappears.
However, in some cases, especially when pain and discomfort arises, it may be necessary to consult a doctor, in order to make the treatment as soon as possible, to avoid complications.
Some causes can be:
1. Ductal ectasia of the breast
Ductal ectasia of the breast consists of the dilation of a milk duct under the nipple, which fills with fluid, which can become blocked or obstructed and give rise to mastitis. Some of the symptoms that may occur are fluid release through the nipple, tenderness to the touch, redness, swelling or inversion of the nipple.
What to do: Breast ductal ectasia may not need treatment and will heal on its own. However, if this does not occur, the doctor may administer antibiotics or even recommend surgery.
2. Mastitis
Mastitis is characterized by an inflammation of the breast with symptoms such as pain, swelling or redness, which can develop into an infection and cause fever and chills.
Mastitis is more common in women who breastfeed, especially in the first three months of the baby, due to the obstruction of the ducts through which the milk passes or the entry of bacteria through the baby's mouth. However, it can also occur in men or at any other stage of a woman's life due to bacteria entering the breast in cases of nipple injury, for example.
What to do: The treatment of mastitis should be done with rest, fluid intake, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs and, in case of an infection, the doctor can administer antibiotics. Learn more about treating mastitis.
3. Friction
The nipple may also become swollen and irritated by factors that are simple to resolve, such as friction caused during breastfeeding, physical or sexual activity, for example.
What to do: To prevent the nipple from becoming fragile, the person can use an ointment based on Vaseline or with oxide and zinc, before and after practicing physical exercise and after sexual activity.
For breastfeeding mothers, this problem can be solved by applying a drop of milk to the nipple after each feeding or a lanolin ointment. If the pain is very severe, the mother can express the milk manually or with a pump and give the baby a bottle, until the nipple improves or heals completely. There are also breastfeeding nipples that reduce the pain caused by the baby's sucking.
4. Contact dermatitis
The swollen nipple can result from a condition called contact dermatitis, which consists of an exaggerated reaction of the skin to a particular substance or object, leading to symptoms such as redness and itching, swelling and flaking.
What to do: The treatment should be done avoiding contact with the irritating substance, washing the area with cold and abundant water and, in some cases, the doctor may also recommend applying a cream with corticosteroids in the region, until the symptoms improve. In addition, it may be indicated to take an antihistamine to control symptoms more effectively.
In addition to these causes, the nipples may also become swollen in other situations, such as during menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding, which may be related to hormonal changes.
