Friction blister- help please!

wlsmom

I have a terrible friction blister on my nipple- I know it's not a milk blister after researching both.  While DS has a good latch, he has terrible gas which causes him to squirm quite a bit while eating- so he has to be relatched over and over.  I believe has caused the blister.  

 As far as I can tell the only other cause would be shields that are too small when pumping and excessive friction there, right?  My shields are fine.  

 Any suggestions on how to treat the blister?  Any idea how long it might take to heal?  

 It's covering enough of my nipple that it's blocking milk ducts making it difficult for DS to eat, and the intense pain is keeping me from letting him eat on that side at each feeding. I gave him formula for the first time last night because I knew he was still hungry and we'd had 3 pretty unsuccessful feedings in a row   

I can't find treatment or healing time on kellymom or anywhere else online. I did contact my LC but haven't heard back yet.  Any help or insight you can offer is much appreciated!  

curmudgeon

Ouch! I've gotten friction blisters both from shields that were too large (blisters on the areola) and too small (blisters on the nipple).  Refridgerated gel pads and polysporin (I heard not to use neosporin, but can't remember the specifics on why) are a must.  Some people do recommend to continue feeding/pumping through the pain, but I found it just got worse when I did that and I wasn't able to let down due to cringing. It took 2-3 days to heal, on a reduced pumping/feeding schedule (2-3 times per day).  As a result, my supply tanked, so please be careful if you do have to do this.  It may be possible, if pumping doesn't hurt, to pump rather than nurse on that side for a few days. Hopefully your LC can help you with the squirming and relatching, because I've found that while the blisters do heal quickly, they come back with a vengance, and fast, if the cause isn't addressed.

Good luck.

wlsmom

Thanks for the suggestions (and sympathy!).  I've had supply issues, so I'm worried it will tank from cutting back on nursing  I've pumped three times on that breast now, to try to keep supply going- it's painful but slightly less painful than nursing on that breast.  

 I'll have to start working on latch again.  UGH.  We had issues early on, but I thought they were resolved.  

 Thanks again! 

curmudgeon

Just noticed on another post someone mentioned using a nipple shield, that may also help when you are nursing. There are also concerns when using one about supply, but it may allow you to nurse while it is healing.

curmudgeon

BTW (yes, I'm back again), I would strongly recommend that, while you are working on fixing the problem, you do whatever you can to minimize further damage to the area (glad the pumping doesn't hurt quite as badly, hope that helps you get through).  I continued pumping with blisters for weeks just trying to deal with it, soaking in saline water a couple times a day, using polysporin and lanolin, olive oil on the shield to reduce friction, etc, and it just got worse until I fixed the problem (in my case, getting shields that fit properly). Best wishes, its not supposed to hurt, but holy cow, its awful when it does!