Cracked Nipple

Subject: Midwifery III (Theory)

Overview

Cracked nipple is a disorder characterized by a nipple fissure. The nipple becomes uncomfortable owing to the loss of surface epithelium, which results in the formation of a raw region on the nipple, as well as a fissure located at the tip or base of the nipple. The origins of a Cracked nipple are caused by a retracted nipple, unclean hygiene leading to the creation of a crust over the nipple, and strong sucking on an engorged breast, or it is related to a depressed nipple or in the case of insufficient milk flow. Maintain hygiene before and after each feeding during pregnancy and in the puerperium to prevent crust formation over the nipple and cracked nipple. Teach the woman the correct nursing technique.

Cracked nipple is a disorder characterized by a nipple fissure. The nipple becomes uncomfortable as a result of:

Surface epithelium loss, resulting in the creation of a raw region on the nipple.
Because of a fissure at either the tip or the base of the nipple.

Causes

Unsanitary hygiene has resulted in the creation of a crust over the nipple.
Nipple retracted
Vigorous sucking on an engorged breast, or when paired with a depressed nipple or in the presence of insufficient milk flow.

Clinical features

The problem may be asymptomatic at first, but it becomes uncomfortable when the infant sucks.
When infected, the infection can spread to deeper tissue and cause mastitis, so it must be treated aggressively.

Management

To prevent crust formation over the nipple throughout pregnancy and the puerperium, keep the nipple clean before and after each feeding.
Teach the mother proper nursing technique, including proper nipple fixation in the baby's mouth.
Ascertain that the baby latches or attaches properly.
While breastfeeding, try several positions such as side lying, cross cradle hold, and underarm hold. This distributes pressure to various areas of the nipple.
After a meal or bath, apply expressed breast milk to the nipple and let it air dry.
Keep the nipple clean and dry, but avoid using soap on it.
Expose the breast to sunshine for 10 minutes twice a day, for a total of three times every day.
Begin feeding with the less painful breasts.
Don't give up breastfeeding. Unless the mother is HIV positive, the baby can suck from a bleeding nipple.
If the mother has HIV, she should not breastfeed her child if she has a bleeding nipple.
If she has a bleeding cracked nipple, teach her to express and discard milk from that breast until the crack heals.
After using the ointment after the night feeding, the fissure should heal within 8-12 hours.
If the wound does not heal, the damaged nipple is restrained for 24 hours and the breasts are secured with a tight bandage.

Things to remember

Cracked nipple is a disorder characterized by a nipple fissure.
The nipple becomes uncomfortable owing to the loss of surface epithelium, which results in the formation of a raw region on the nipple, as well as a fissure located at the tip or base of the nipple.
The origins of a Cracked nipple are caused by a retracted nipple, unclean hygiene leading to the creation of a crust over the nipple, and strong sucking on an engorged breast, or it is related to a depressed nipple or in the case of insufficient milk flow.
Maintain hygiene before and after each feeding during pregnancy and in the puerperium to prevent crust formation over the nipple and cracked nipple. Teach the mother proper nursing technique, including proper nipple fixation in the baby's mouth. While breastfeeding, try several positions such as side-lying, cross-cradle hold, and underarm hold.
This distributes pressure to various areas of the nipple.
After using the ointment after the night feeding, the fissure should heal within 8-12 hours.

Questions and Answers

What are the causes and sign and symptoms of cracked nipple?

Causes

Having bad hygiene causes a crust to grow over the nipple.
Pulled back nipple.
Vigorous sucking on an engorged breast, in conjunction with a depressed nipple, or when the milk flow is insufficient.

Clinical Features

The condition might not show any symptoms, but when the baby suckes, it hurts.
Mastitis should be aggressively treated because, when infected, the infection may spread to the deeper tissue.

What are the management of cracked nipple?

Management of Cracked Nipple Includes :

To avoid crust from forming over the nipple throughout pregnancy and the puerperium, keep yourself clean before and after each feeding.
Teach the mother how to properly breastfeed, focusing on getting the baby's nipple into his or her mouth.
Make sure the infant correctly latches on or attaches.
Use several breastfeeding positions, including as side lying, cross-cradle holding, and underarm holding. As a result, different areas of the nipple are under pressure.
After a feed or bath, apply expressed breast milk to the nipple and let them air dry.
Do not put soap on the nipple, but do keep it clean and dry.
2-3 times per day, expose the breast to the sun for ten minutes.
Start expressing milk from the breasts that aren't as tender.
Continue to breastfeed. Unless the mother is HIV positive, the baby can suckle from a bleeding nipple.
The mother shouldn't breastfeed her child on a bleeding nipple if she has HIV. Teach her to express and discard the milk from that breast if she has a bleeding cracked nipple until the crack has healed.
After applying the ointment following the evening feeding, the fissure should heal within 8 to 12 hours.
If the wound still doesn't heal, the breasts are strapped with a tight bandage and the affected nipple is instructed to rest for 24 hours.