Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of a Clogged Milk DuctCauses
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs of a Clogged Milk Duct
Causes
In most cases, the inflammation can be managed with home treatments with ice packs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).But if the plugging doesn’t go away with proper treatment, it may signify a more serious condition, such asmastitisor, in rare cases,breast cancer.
This article discusses the causes of plugged milk ducts, how they are treated, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Signs of a Plugged Milk Duct From Breastfeeding
Signs and symptoms often occur in one breast at a time. They may include:
Causes of Non-Breastfeeding Related Blocked Ducts
Mammary Duct Ectasia
Mammary duct ectasiais a noncancerous (benign) breast condition that occurs when a milk duct beneath the nipple widens and thickens. This can cause the milk duct to become blocked, leading to fluid accumulation and sticky,thick nipple discharge.
It may cause symptoms like tenderness around your nipple area and inverted nipples. Mammary duct ectasia may affect a single breast or both breasts and is more common among women nearing menopause.
Intraductal Papillomas
Intraductal papillomasare noncancerous tumors that grow within the milk ducts near the nipple. They can cause clear or bloody nipple discharge and can form a painful lump. The papillomas may also be found further away from the nipple in groups.
Mammography, ductography, MRI, and sonography can all be used to detect and diagnose breast papillomas. The specific cause of intraductal papillomas is not known. Your provider will likely recommend imaging such as a mammography, ultrasound and/or MRI to detect the papilloma.
You may still be able to breastfeed but there may be pain and your medical provider may advise against it if you are having discharge.
Periductal Mastitis
Periductal mastitisis a noncancerous inflammatory breast condition that often occurs in young women who are not breastfeeding. Symptoms includenipple discharge, a breast lump, and breast tenderness.
While the exact cause remains unknown, some clinical evidence suggests obesity,diabetes, bacterial infections, and smoking may cause the condition.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS) is an early form of breast cancer that affects the cells of the milk ducts in the breast. DCIS doesn’t spread outside the breast but should be treated because it can develop into invasive breast cancer that extends beyond the milk ducts.
Although it does not typically come with signs and symptoms, DCIS may cause bloody nipple discharge, a lump, or itching in some people.
Invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) is the most common type of breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.It forms in the milk duct and can also block milk from flowing.
Mastitis vs. Plugged Ducts
Mastitis is a spectrum of conditions that begins with inflammation or plugging of the milk ducts. Most plugged ducts can get resolved on their own within a few days. If the inflammation worsens, it can lead to inflammatory mastitis and more seriously, acute bacterial mastitis.
Can Lecithin Help?
Home Remedies
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine provided new guidelines for breastfeeding in 2022 to reduce the chances of inflammation and mastitis.They caution that you should NOT drain the milk when breastfeeding or pumping, as this can cause hyperlactation which contributes to the inflammation. Pumping too often can also cause breast trauma, and should be limited to only a small volume. They also found that traditional treatments such as using warm compresses and massage worsen the condition.
Remedies to help clear a blocked duct and ease pain and swelling include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If symptoms continue for seven to 10 days after antibiotic treatment, a healthcare provider may recommend imaging or abiopsyto test for inflammatory breast cancer, which can cause symptoms similar to mastitis.
How Long Can Milk Ducts be Clogged Before Relief ?While the amount of time varies from person to person, most clogged ducts will resolve independently within 24 to 48 hours, with or without treatment.
How Long Can Milk Ducts be Clogged Before Relief ?
While the amount of time varies from person to person, most clogged ducts will resolve independently within 24 to 48 hours, with or without treatment.
Summary
Clogged milk ducts are painful and can make breastfeeding a challenge. In most cases, a clogged duct can be treated at home using simple remedies. However, clogged milk ducts may progress to an infection called mastitis or be a sign of a more severe condition, like breast cancer.
If the lump on your breast changes size or does not go away after a few days, or if you develop a fever, chills, or nausea, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and treatment.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Rodríguez JM, et al.Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022[published correction appears in Breastfeed Med. 2022 Nov;17(11):977-978. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm.correx].Breastfeed Med. 2022;17(5):360-376. doi:10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbmJohns Hopkins.Plugged milk ducts.American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.Hao N, Yuan X, Wang Q, et al.The role of magnetic resonance imaging in detection and surgical treatment of breast intraductal papillomas.Transl Cancer Res. 2019;8(2):635-646. doi:10.21037/tcr.2019.03.27Liu L, Zhou F, Wang P, et al.Periductal mastitis: an inflammatory disease related to bacterial infection and consequent immune responses?Mediators Inflamm. 2017;2017:5309081. doi:10.1155/2017/5309081Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Mao F, Guan J, Sun Q.Clinical characteristics, classification and surgical treatment of periductal mastitis.J Thorac Dis. 2018;10(4):2420-2427. doi:10.21037/jtd.2018.04.22American Cancer Society.Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Johns Hopkins.Ductal carcinoma in situ.National Breast Cancer Foundation.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).Morcomb EF, Dargel CM, Anderson SA.Mastitis: Rapid Evidence Review.Am Fam Physician. 2024;110(2):174-182.Jiao Y, Chang K, Jiang Y, Zhang J.Identification of periductal mastitis and granulomatous lobular mastitis: a literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2023;11(3):158. doi:10.21037/atm-22-6473U.S. National Library of Medicine.Lecithin.Pesce CE, Yao K.Abscess/infections/periareolar mastitis.Annals of Breast Surgery. 2021;5(0). doi:10.21037/abs-21-49American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.International Breastfeeding Centre.Blocked ducts and mastitis.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Rodríguez JM, et al.Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022[published correction appears in Breastfeed Med. 2022 Nov;17(11):977-978. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm.correx].Breastfeed Med. 2022;17(5):360-376. doi:10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbmJohns Hopkins.Plugged milk ducts.American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.Hao N, Yuan X, Wang Q, et al.The role of magnetic resonance imaging in detection and surgical treatment of breast intraductal papillomas.Transl Cancer Res. 2019;8(2):635-646. doi:10.21037/tcr.2019.03.27Liu L, Zhou F, Wang P, et al.Periductal mastitis: an inflammatory disease related to bacterial infection and consequent immune responses?Mediators Inflamm. 2017;2017:5309081. doi:10.1155/2017/5309081Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Mao F, Guan J, Sun Q.Clinical characteristics, classification and surgical treatment of periductal mastitis.J Thorac Dis. 2018;10(4):2420-2427. doi:10.21037/jtd.2018.04.22American Cancer Society.Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Johns Hopkins.Ductal carcinoma in situ.National Breast Cancer Foundation.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).Morcomb EF, Dargel CM, Anderson SA.Mastitis: Rapid Evidence Review.Am Fam Physician. 2024;110(2):174-182.Jiao Y, Chang K, Jiang Y, Zhang J.Identification of periductal mastitis and granulomatous lobular mastitis: a literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2023;11(3):158. doi:10.21037/atm-22-6473U.S. National Library of Medicine.Lecithin.Pesce CE, Yao K.Abscess/infections/periareolar mastitis.Annals of Breast Surgery. 2021;5(0). doi:10.21037/abs-21-49American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.International Breastfeeding Centre.Blocked ducts and mastitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Rodríguez JM, et al.Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022[published correction appears in Breastfeed Med. 2022 Nov;17(11):977-978. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm.correx].Breastfeed Med. 2022;17(5):360-376. doi:10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbmJohns Hopkins.Plugged milk ducts.American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.Hao N, Yuan X, Wang Q, et al.The role of magnetic resonance imaging in detection and surgical treatment of breast intraductal papillomas.Transl Cancer Res. 2019;8(2):635-646. doi:10.21037/tcr.2019.03.27Liu L, Zhou F, Wang P, et al.Periductal mastitis: an inflammatory disease related to bacterial infection and consequent immune responses?Mediators Inflamm. 2017;2017:5309081. doi:10.1155/2017/5309081Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Mao F, Guan J, Sun Q.Clinical characteristics, classification and surgical treatment of periductal mastitis.J Thorac Dis. 2018;10(4):2420-2427. doi:10.21037/jtd.2018.04.22American Cancer Society.Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.Johns Hopkins.Ductal carcinoma in situ.National Breast Cancer Foundation.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).Morcomb EF, Dargel CM, Anderson SA.Mastitis: Rapid Evidence Review.Am Fam Physician. 2024;110(2):174-182.Jiao Y, Chang K, Jiang Y, Zhang J.Identification of periductal mastitis and granulomatous lobular mastitis: a literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2023;11(3):158. doi:10.21037/atm-22-6473U.S. National Library of Medicine.Lecithin.Pesce CE, Yao K.Abscess/infections/periareolar mastitis.Annals of Breast Surgery. 2021;5(0). doi:10.21037/abs-21-49American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.International Breastfeeding Centre.Blocked ducts and mastitis.
Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Rodríguez JM, et al.Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022[published correction appears in Breastfeed Med. 2022 Nov;17(11):977-978. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm.correx].Breastfeed Med. 2022;17(5):360-376. doi:10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm
Johns Hopkins.Plugged milk ducts.
American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.
American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.
Hao N, Yuan X, Wang Q, et al.The role of magnetic resonance imaging in detection and surgical treatment of breast intraductal papillomas.Transl Cancer Res. 2019;8(2):635-646. doi:10.21037/tcr.2019.03.27
Liu L, Zhou F, Wang P, et al.Periductal mastitis: an inflammatory disease related to bacterial infection and consequent immune responses?Mediators Inflamm. 2017;2017:5309081. doi:10.1155/2017/5309081
Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Mao F, Guan J, Sun Q.Clinical characteristics, classification and surgical treatment of periductal mastitis.J Thorac Dis. 2018;10(4):2420-2427. doi:10.21037/jtd.2018.04.22
American Cancer Society.Treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ.
Johns Hopkins.Ductal carcinoma in situ.
National Breast Cancer Foundation.Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).
Morcomb EF, Dargel CM, Anderson SA.Mastitis: Rapid Evidence Review.Am Fam Physician. 2024;110(2):174-182.
Jiao Y, Chang K, Jiang Y, Zhang J.Identification of periductal mastitis and granulomatous lobular mastitis: a literature review.Ann Transl Med. 2023;11(3):158. doi:10.21037/atm-22-6473
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Lecithin.
Pesce CE, Yao K.Abscess/infections/periareolar mastitis.Annals of Breast Surgery. 2021;5(0). doi:10.21037/abs-21-49
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.
International Breastfeeding Centre.Blocked ducts and mastitis.
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