Q&A: What's This White Spot on My Nipple and Why Is My Boob Is Super-hard?

There are several names for a white spot on the nipple: nipple blister, milk blister,blocked nipple pore, or a milk bleb. The first type of milk bleb is caused when alittle piece of skin grows over a nipple pore and the milk collects under it causingthe milk to back up. Sometimes a milk bleb is formed when a tiny collection offat cells gather and stick together at the opening of the nipple pore and becomea hardened plug. Regardless of the cause, they usually start out appearing asa tiny clear, yellow, or white blister and then progressively become white andhardened. Although the milk bleb itself is very small, it is extremely painful as the milk starts to back up behind the blister area and can even lead to cloggingwithin the breast. To treat the milk bleb, it is important to soften the skin firstby immersing your nipple in a bowl of very warm (don’t burn yourself) waterand remain soaking in the bowl for five to seven minutes. Next, try to pull theplug out by immediately nursing or pumping with a hospital-grade pump. Somemoms may rub a washcloth or gently scrape the bleb with a fingernail. It is notrecommended to prick the blister with a pin due to the risk of infection. Whenthe bleb comes out it is important to wash the area with warm soapy water andapply an antibiotic ointment. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any fever,redness, swelling, or pus coming from the area.