Breast Nipple Disorders
Anything that affects the nipple is considered a disorder, and disorders can range from mere nuisances to serious conditions. If you have scaly skin or a bloody discharge from the nipple, get help immediately. Nipples are designed to be sensitive, but when that sensitivity leads to pain, you should see a doctor.
Anatomy
Nipples provide for the delivery of milk to an infant, and the outlets for lactating ducts are arranged around the tip. The area around the nipple is called the areola and is darker ringed.
Common Disorders
Breast nipple disorders include nipple swelling, breast lump, inflammation, nipple parasthesia, inversion and random nipple pain. Nipple pain can be caused by not wearing a well-fitting bra while jogging, rough sexual activity or a type of skin inflammation, such as candidasis, eczema, contact dermatitis or breastfeeding.
More Serious Conditions
Paget's disease, which falls into the category of breast cancer, has symptoms that include itching, and sore or cracked nipples. If this disease is progressing, symptoms include increased burning and sensitivity. Zuska's disease symptoms are breast pain, or lumps, areolar pain and nipple discharge.
Mastitits is defined as a breast infection. Infection happens as the ducts draining into the nipple fill with secretions and then cause inflammation. This condition causes major discomfort, fever and sometimes creates an abscess. It is imperative to continue to drain these ducts. Using hot compresses can provide some comfort as well as raw cabbage leaves to draw out the toxin. Many times an antibiotic is required.
Inverted Nipples
Inverted nipples are considered a common occurrence. It is possible that during pregnancy inverted nipples do turn out. It has been suggested that rolling or pulling nipples daily can be helpful along with wearing nipple shields.
Nipple Discharge
If there is a milky discharge that is coming from both nipples and is not related to breastfeeding, it is referred to as galactorrhea. When the hormone prolactin increases, it produces milk. Many factors, including the use of tranquilizers and marijuana, the absence of menstrual periods or even high doses of estrogen, can cause this discharge.
Tags: Breast Nipple, Breast Nipple Disorders, Nipple Disorders
