What causes nipple ulcers? How to treat it?

Nipple lesions are an issue that women need to pay great attention to, because nipple lesions may be a sign of major diseases in the body. For example, mastitis, breast cancer, etc. can cause nipple lesions. Among them, the most typical symptom is nipple ulceration, which is very harmful and painful and can bring great pain to women. Let’s take a look at what nipple ulceration is. How to treat it?

Broken nipple disease, the name of a disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is caused by liver fire or damp heat accumulating in the nipple, nipple pedicle and areola. A breast disease with broken nipples or cracked areolas, pain, bleeding when wiped or discharge of yellow mucus, and severe breastfeeding pain as the main symptoms. More common in primiparas. Western medicine calls it nipple fissure. If the disease is treated early, the prognosis is generally good. If the condition is severe, it is easy to recur.

Disease identification

1. Nipple fracture and breast cancer

Some breast cancers may have symptoms similar to hyperplasia, but the lumps in breast cancer are mostly unilateral, fixed, and have a tendency to grow. During the menstrual cycle, it may show an increase in size without any tendency to decrease. Needle aspiration can confirm the diagnosis.

2. Nipple rupture and breast fat necrosis

The disease is more common in women who have undergone trauma and are obese. The lump is relatively superficial and does not penetrate deep into the breast parenchyma, and the lump does not change with the menstrual cycle. Fine needle aspiration cytology and tissue biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.

Syndrome and Treatment Classification

1. Liver depression transforming into fire syndrome

Main symptoms: cracked nipple skin, dryness, cracking, pain, and bleeding when wiped. The tip of the tongue is red, the tongue coating is thin yellow, and the pulse is stringy and rapid.

Treatment method: Clear the liver and relieve depression.

Representative prescription: Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder with modifications.

Commonly used medicines: Atractylodes macrocephala, Bupleurum chinense, Angelica sinensis, Poria cocos, Licorice, Paeonia suffruticosa, Gardenia jasminoides, and Paeonia lactiflora.

2. Damp-heat syndrome in the liver meridian

Main symptoms: Nipple skin erosion, dripping with fat and water, or yellow crusting, severe pain, and complications of areola skin eczema. The tongue is red, the tongue coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is stringy and rapid.

Treatment method: Purging the liver and removing dampness.

Representative prescription: Longdan Xiegan Decoction with modifications.

Commonly used medicines: Gentiana, Gardenia, Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Rehmannia, Alisma, Angelica, Akebia, Licorice, Honeysuckle, Forsythia, and Isatis root.