Treatment and prevention Montgomery tubercles are harmless, and no treatment is necessary when these change or increase in number. These spots should not be squeezed or popped as this can introduce infection.
These swollen glands can be filled with a waxy substance, giving them the appearance of a spot or a pimple with a yellowish or white head. These are harmless. You should avoid squeezing, popping or trying to unclog Montgomery glands because this could lead to infection or skin injury.
Galactorrhoea is milky nipple discharge not related to pregnancy or breast feeding. It is caused by the abnormal production of a hormone called prolactin. This can be caused by diseases of glands elsewhere in the body which control hormone secretion, such as the pituitary and thyroid glands.
These secretions also contain antibacterial properties that can protect your breasts and your baby from certain infections. Sometimes, Montgomery's tubercles become so enlarged that they look like fluid-filled pimples. You may be tempted to try to pop them, but don't: That can invite infection.
It may be tempting to squeeze them, especially if they have yellow or white heads, but resist the urge. It can introduce bacteria that may lead to infection. You can wash Montgomery glands along with the rest of your nipple with soap and warm water, but avoid harsh cleansers.
Both inflamed and infected glands will be soothed with salt water soaks. Mix one teaspoon of salt in one cup warm water, place in a shallow cup and soak nipples and areolae for approximately 3 minutes. Occasionally, infected glands may require antibiotic therapy.
Nipple discharge can be normal in women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It's always abnormal in men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Hormones, lactation or sexual arousal can be normal causes for nipple discharge. Abnormal causes could be from tumors, infection or rarely, breast cancer.
Nurse or pump frequently: As painful as it feels, don't stop pumping or nursing. This can help open the nipple pore. Some people find relief by placing their baby's chin against the duct to better drain the clogged area. Apply heat: Place a warm washcloth or heating pad on the milk bleb several times a day.
You may do this by taking a shower, soaking a wash cloth in warm water and holding it over the affected nipple, or soaking the breast in warm water with Epsom salts. If that doesn't work, you may try gently rubbing the blister with a clean, warm washcloth to remove any skin obstructing the milk duct.
A milk blister, or a nipple bleb, looks like a tiny white spot on the nipple. It can be caused by a plugged milk duct or a thin layer of skin blocking the milk duct. Sometimes a nipple bleb occurs after trauma to the nipple. If it is not painful, no treatment is necessary.
Infected Montgomery glands
There might also be a pimple-like white head at the tip of the gland. This isn't the same as a yeast infection, which causes white spots and nipple or breast pain. See your care provider as soon as possible, to avoid further problems.
Swollen Montgomery glands
These glands secrete oil to help keep the skin lubricated. At times, this secretion may resemble the pus that comes from a pimple. Swollen Montgomery glands are not common and may be related to breastfeeding or pregnancy.
Montgomery glands typically shrink and become less visible on their own soon after pregnancy, if you're not breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, they'll likely diminish once your journey is over. That said, Montgomery glands may not always revert to their pre-pregnancy state.
Symptoms of Clogged Montgomery Glands
If an enlarged gland becomes blocked or clogged, you may generally feel under the weather, and experience symptoms such as: Fever. Itching. Pus and draining.
Named after Irish obstetrician William Fetherstone Montgomery,2 the Montgomery tubercles — sebaceous glands found on the breasts, emit an aroma which attracts new-born infants to their mother's breasts and entices them to breastfeed.
2) Loosen the milk stuck in the pore.
3) Apply pressure, gently. Your baby is the best person to apply pressure to the bleb when she nurses, especially after you apply a warm wet compress. But you can also - gently - manipulate the area behind the bleb after using a compress to see if you can get the bleb to release.
Rub the blister area with a moist washcloth. If a plug is protruding from the nipple, you can gently pull on it with clean fingers. Loosen an edge of the blister by gently scraping with your fingernail. If the above methods do not work, a sterile needle may also be used to open the blister.
Clogged pores on the chest can make breasts feel inflamed, lumpy, or discolored. Clogged pores may also appear as whiteheads, blackheads or cystic pimples. Inflammation: Clogged pores can lead to inflammation, making breasts feel warm to the touch, swollen, red or irritated.
White spots often result from a blocked nipple pore when someone is breast-feeding, or as a normal reaction to changing levels of hormones within the body.