Relieving and Preventing Milk Blisters

Milk blister (also known as white dot or nipple bleb) is a painful tiny sack filled with milk on the tip of the nipple or on the areola.

It looks as if skin grew over the duct opening and blocked milk from coming out. Or a tiny duct may be clogged under the skin. The bleb can go away on its own or may require sterile opening.

Featured Products for Milk Blisters

What Causes Nipple Blebs?

White dots may be caused by:

Nipple injury

Incorrect latch and positioning

Clogged nipple pore (by dried milk)

Clogged milk duct

Milk composition (too thick and fatty hindmilk)

Yeast infection (especially if blisters are multiple)

Ill-fitting clothes (especially bras)

Oversupply

What Causes Nipple Blebs?

White dots may be caused by:

Nipple injury

Incorrect latch and positioning

Clogged nipple pore (by dried milk)

Clogged milk duct

Milk composition (too thick and fatty hindmilk)

Yeast infection (especially if blisters are multiple)

Ill-fitting clothes (especially bras)

Oversupply

Milk Blister Treatment

Treatment of milk blisters includes softening the blister skin, opening the blocked duct, removing overgrown skin and treating sore blister after opening. Follow the steps below in the order they are listed. You may need to repeat them several time. Be gentle to prevent nipple damage.

Softening the blister skin

Soak the breast with the blister in warm water right before the nursing session. This will both soften the skin and help with the milk let-down.

Right after that and before nursing or pumping apply warm compresses to the nipple to soothe tender area and soften the blister even more.

Apply purified hypoallergenic lanolin on the nipples. I loved Medela Tender Care Lanolin (click for details). 2oz-tube is perfect to carry around in your purse or put into the carry-on when traveling by air. According to Medela, it is not necessary to wash it off before feeding (I did anyways).

If you are looking for a lanolin-free option, try chamomile- or calendula-based creams. This is my personal favorite - Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter.

Made with soothing organic Calendula and non-sticky natural plant butters. Certified organic. It worked great on my sore skin. It is also safe for babies - no need to wash it off before nursing!

Right after that and before nursing or pumping apply warm compresses to the nipple to soothe tender area and soften the blister even more.

Apply purified hypoallergenic lanolin on the nipples. I loved Medela Tender Care Lanolin (click for details). 2oz-tube is perfect to carry around in your purse or put into the carry-on when traveling by air. According to Medela, it is not necessary to wash it off before feeding (I did anyways).

If you are looking for a lanolin-free option, try chamomile- or calendula-based creams. This is my personal favorite - Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter.

Made with soothing organic Calendula and non-sticky natural plant butters. Certified organic. It worked great on my sore skin. It is also safe for babies - no need to wash it off before nursing!

Opening the blocked duct

Massage your breast and do breast compressions while you apply warm compresses to see if the clog is removed and milk is coming out of the duct.

If not - try expressing milk with your hand to unclog the bleb and release the thickened milk from the duct.

After you applied warmth and tried massaging, compressing and expressing, try pumping. Gradually increase your pump strength. Pumping suction should be able to unclog the pores and remove thicker milk from the duct.

In many cases after you have softened the blister skin, baby sucking can help remove the milk clog. Provided the pain from nursing is manageable, start with the sore breast. Baby's vigorous sucking at the beginning of the nursing session works the best.

Removing overgrown skin

If all these measures still didn't open the blister and the duct opening is blocked by overgrown skin, try gently removing the skin with a fingernail. Be careful not to injure the nipple.

While showering, try rubbing the blister with a washcloth. Again be gentle.

Your doctor may try opening the bleb with a sterile needle. Don’t try to do it yourself! There is a risk of breast infection or mastitis associated with it.

Your doctor may choose to prescribe antibiotics and something to manage pain. Medications prescribed to a nursing mother are safe for the baby.

Treating sore blister after opening

Purified hypoallergenic lanolin by Medela (mentioned above) works very well on sore nipples.

Recurring white dots may be a sign of your milk being too thick. Talk to your doctor or lactation specialist. Let them evaluate your baby and recommend dietary changes.

Going Non-Traditional?

I am a big fan of natural remedies and medicines. One of them - 100% pure Argan oil - is great at relieving milk blisters! This Moroccan plant oil is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which is the lifeblood of healthy-looking skin.

I used it to soften the blister skin and to heal the skin after the blister was gone. It softens, moisturizes, nourishes and antioxidizes skin.

Argan oil is very well absorbed. But when you apply it to the nipples, don't forget to wipe it off before nursing.

IMPORTANT: To get the most out of your Argan oil, make sure you purchase 100% pure Moroccan kind that was cold pressed.

Organic certification is a plus. Such additives-free unrefined Argan oil has all its properties preserved and is best for skin.

Argan Oil is expensive, but worth every penny I paid for it. I also used it for my sore nipples. After I stopped breastfeeding, I used the remainder on my cracked lips. Not a drop wasted!

Here is the kind and brand that I used and loved - Shea Terra Organics Argan Oil (Certified Organic).

Amazon is offering a very good deal on this oil right now, so don't wait to order!

Organic certification is a plus. Such additives-free unrefined Argan oil has all its properties preserved and is best for skin.

Argan Oil is expensive, but worth every penny I paid for it. I also used it for my sore nipples. After I stopped breastfeeding, I used the remainder on my cracked lips. Not a drop wasted!

Here is the kind and brand that I used and loved - Shea Terra Organics Argan Oil (Certified Organic).

Amazon is offering a very good deal on this oil right now, so don't wait to order!

Preventing Milk Blisters in the Future

To prevent milk blisters from happening, you need to eliminate all the potential causes (look at the list above). Work on the most common culprits first: