The nipple is a bulge that protrudes from the breasts and is found in women and men. In women, its physiological purpose is to feed the newborn during lactation, and in men, it is simply a relic of embryonic development. While men do not usually have problems, it is common for women to have changes that can be a significant red flag.
A complete physical examination includes the assessment of the mammary region, being important any discharge from the nipple, and this would imply carrying out some tests previously indicated by the doctor, in FastlyHealwe clarify all the doubts about why I get pus from the nipple, explaining the causes that can cause it.
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Pus from the nipple during breastfeeding
It is pretty standard for a lactating woman to present purulent discharge through the nipple; generally, it is a benign, non-cancerous condition that should be evaluated by the gynecologist immediately.
Pus secretions have different medical names that are similar but do not mean the same thing. All of them have in common the presence of an infectious focus that a doctor must treat under the appropriate pharmacological therapy.
Why is pus coming from my nipple? The first and most common reason for leakage of pus from the nipple is puerperal mastitis. It is nothing more than a bacterial infectious process of the mammary gland usually this happens when the skin’s bacteria ( streptococci or staphylococci aureus ) have penetrated the nipples through cracks (commonly formed in lactating women), creating an infectious focus in the breast, specifically in a tissue called per lobular.
This type of infectious process is accompanied by symptoms such as yellow or greenish discharge from the nipple, and others such as:
- Pain.
- Inflammation (enlargement of the breast).
- Warmth and redness in the breast (temperature to the touch).
- Chills and fever
- Yellow discharge from the nipple.
- Greenish discharge from the nipple.
This pathology occurs approximately in the first weeks of lactation, being a common reason why the mother stops providing exclusive breastfeeding to the young infant.
The causes by which mastitis can be triggered are:
- There is no proper breastfeeding technique: it is recommended that the nipple and areola are entirely inside the baby’s mouth and that the baby is in contact with the mother’s belly.
- Milk duct obstruction or milk stasis.
- When the nipples are cracked or injured by the baby himself due to the suction and rubbing of the infant’s gums.
- Wearing a tight bra limit or prevents the normal flow of milk appropriately. You can also associate friendly bags up to a seat belt.
- Previous mastitis: in stages of breastfeeding due to last pregnancy.
Why do I get pus from my nipple without breastfeeding?
The breast abscess is primarily related to mastitis, but this is a collection of pus in the breast, which breast tissue attempts to isolate bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) forming a kind of connective tissue sheath, which is accompanied by malaise, thermal rise greater than 38.5 ° C, severe pain, red and hot breast, back pain, itching (itchy breast) and also appears hard on the outside with taut and shiny skin.
It is also considered a complication of mastitis where treatment has been applied in a late-stage or inappropriately, hence the importance of a medical visit.
Finally, there is another cause of pus coming out of the nipple, and it is periductal mastitis that occurs in women who are not breastfeeding. It is common after 40 years of age and is a product of the dilation of the ducts that allow the milk to escape by the nipple. This generates a possible rupture of the duct and consequently the discharge of secretion to all the mammary tissue, causing, in turn, an inflammatory process similar to the puerperal and therefore the exit of pus through the nipple of the affected breast.
Pus discharge from the nipple: how to avoid it
There are ways to prevent pus coming out of the nipples, logically highlighting the attention and care that the mother should have in the puerperium period (after childbirth), a common trigger factor for pus coming out of the nipple:
- The nipple and areola should be attached to the breast completely in the infant’s mouth to improve the baby’s breastfeeding posture.
- Rotating the breastfeeding positions contributes to the emptying of the breast. If complete emptying is not possible, breast pumps are recommended.
- He was wearing a bra that did not put pressure on the breast.
- Increase your intake of fluids, preferably water.
- Adequate breast hygiene, doing it regularly before breastfeeding, avoiding the proliferation of bacteria in a humid environment (due to milk), ideally, the nipples dry on their own with the air, highlighting this activity in the presence of cracks, which are the gateway for bacteria to the breast.
By taking these measures into account, in addition to puerperal mastitis, the formation of a breast abscess (its main complication) is prevented.
Concerning periductal mastitis, although the cause is undefined, it is recommended:
- Quit tobacco if you are a smoker.
- Reduce the consumption of beverages such as coffee.
- Improves lifestyle, in cases such as stress.
- Reduce the consumption of fats and sugars.
Pus discharge from the nipple: natural remedies
Natural therapies are beneficial, but you should not overlook the value of going to the doctor from the first moment the symptoms begin to indicate the pertinent diagnosis.
In most cases, the medical treatment is governed by antibiotic therapy due to the presence of pus, and sometimes remission is through an outpatient surgical procedure. They can be included as natural remedies to improve symptoms :
- Hot and cold water compresses: unblocking the milk ducts and improving circulation in the breast. It is recommended to alternate these compresses for at least 15 minutes each three times a day.
- Cabbage: powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory that prevents the increase of bacterial growth. It is recommended to use it frozen and place it on the affected breast area for at least 5 minutes 3 times a day.
- Honey: fights any source of infection, highlighting staphylococci.
- Calendula: heals the inflammation and pain that accompanies the infectious process in the breast. It is indicated to make a paste with calendula flowers and apply it to the affected area. It should be removed with warm water. Its use is recommended at least four times a day.
Although the realistic advice is easy to use, FastlyHealrecommends a visit to the gynecologist at least two times a year in case of being fertile and a regular check-up in case of being in the puerperium (after childbirth), who have the appropriate recommendations and you specify in each case to be treated.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do I get pus from the nipple, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.