Can a cracked nipple heal on its own?

Breasts are a very important part of a woman's body structure. The importance of breasts not only plays a big role in women's overall figure. Moreover, girls' breasts are one of the main sources of food for children. But sometimes some women's nipples will not even crack. This usually happens when it is rainy and the breastfeeding posture causes tearing. So when the situation occurs, some people will have doubts, can the crack at the root of the nipple heal itself?

The main reason for nipple fissures is that the nipple skin is thinner than the skin of other parts of the body, and the nipple skin is tough, so it is easy to crack and fissure if it is injured. The main reasons for nipple cracking during breastfeeding are:

1. Incorrect feeding method. This situation is mainly seen in new mothers who have little knowledge of breastfeeding. Some mothers do not put the nipple and most of the areola into the baby's mouth when feeding. The baby sucks on the top of the nipple for a long time and repeatedly, which may cause nipple cracks due to repeated friction. In addition, if the mother is accustomed to letting the baby suck on one breast, it may also cause unilateral nipple fissures.

2. Excessive milk secretion. Some mothers have plenty of milk for their babies to drink, and the milk often overflows, causing the nipples and surrounding skin to be eroded, resulting in erosion or eczema. If not treated in time or the treatment is not ideal, it may lead to nipple cracks.

3. Baby’s oral factors. Because the baby's brain is not fully developed, there may be motor dysfunction. Some babies may have inflammation in their mouths. During the feeding process, the baby may bite the nipple, which may cause nipple fissures. Some babies may bite the nipple and cause nipple cracking if the mother does not let the baby cover the entire areola when breastfeeding after the baby grows teeth.

4. The nipple is inverted or too small. Inverted nipple is an abnormal nipple symptom caused by congenital developmental disorders and can be divided into three degrees. In first-degree inverted nipple, the nipple neck exists and can be easily squeezed out; in second-degree inverted nipple, the nipple is sunken into the areola, but it can be squeezed out by hand; in third-degree inverted nipple, the nipple is completely buried under the areola and cannot be squeezed out. Like inverted nipples, small nipples are mainly caused by congenital factors. These two situations can easily lead to difficulty in sucking for the baby. Excessive force when sucking milk may cause nipple damage. If the damage is not handled properly, it may cause nipple cracks.

5. Soap irritation. Some mothers pay more attention to the cleanliness of their nipples. They are accustomed to cleaning their nipples with items such as soap or ethanol desiccant. If they clean excessively, the nipple skin may be irritated and damaged, leading to nipple cracking.

Some women may experience nipple fissures during the non-breastfeeding period due to factors such as excessive nipple cleaning, improper sexual life, nipple infection by bacteria, and lotus breasts caused by maggot bites.

Precautions for nipple cracking during lactation

1. When breastfeeding, you should start with the breast that is less painful to reduce the sucking force on the other breast, and let the nipple and part of the areola be sucked in the baby's mouth to prevent the nipple skin from becoming more chapped.

2. Alternate the position of the baby during breastfeeding so that the sucking force is dispersed around the nipple and areola.

3. Breastfeed frequently to facilitate milk emptying and soften the areola, which is easier for the baby to suck.

4. After breastfeeding, squeeze out a small amount of milk and apply it on the nipples and areola. Expose and dry the nipples briefly, preferably near a window in the sunlight. Because breast milk has antibacterial effects and is rich in protein, it is beneficial to the healing of nipple skin. After breastfeeding, you can also apply a thin layer of water-based lanolin on the nipples. It is harmless to the baby and does not need to be wiped off before breastfeeding.

5. Wear loose underwear and bras after breastfeeding, and put the nipple cover correctly to facilitate air circulation and healing of skin lesions.

6. If the nipple pain is severe or the breasts are swollen and the baby cannot suck the nipple well, breastfeeding can be temporarily stopped for 24 hours, but the milk should be expressed and fed to the baby with a small cup or spoon.