{{short description|Temporary medical condition}} {{Infobox medical condition |name = |synonyms =Clogged milk duct |image = Blocked_milk_duct_hariadhi.svg |image_size = |alt = |image_thumbtime = |caption = |width = |image2 = |image_size2 = |alt2 = |image_thumbtime2 = |caption2 = |width2 = |pronounce = |pronounce 2 = |specialty = <!-- from Wikidata; can be overwritten --> |symptoms = |complications = |onset = |duration = |types = |causes = <!-- or |cause= --> |risks = <!-- or |risk= --> |diagnosis = |differential = }} '''A blocked milk duct''' (sometimes also called plugged or clogged milk duct) is a blockage of one or more ducts carrying [[milk]] to the [[nipple]] for the purpose of [[breastfeeding]] an [[infant]] that can cause [[mastitis]]. The [[symptom]]s are a tender, localised lump in one [[breast]], with redness in the skin over the lump. The cause of a blocked milk duct is the failure to remove milk from part of the breast. This may be due to infrequent breastfeeding, poor attachment, tight clothing or [[Injury|trauma]] to the breast.<ref name="NHS2024">{{cite web|access-date=25 January 2024 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117022656/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-problems/breast-pain/ |date=7 December 2020 |language=en |title=Breast pain and breastfeeding |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-problems/breast-pain/ |website=nhs.uk}}<!-- auto-translated from Spanish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Sometimes the duct to one part of the breast is blocked by thickened milk. A blocked milk duct can be managed by improving the removal of milk and correcting the underlying cause.<ref name = ncbi1>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148955/|title=Management of breast conditions and other breastfeeding difficulties |publisher = National Center for Biotechnology Information US National Library of Medicine|access-date = 4 August 2017 }}{{PD-notice}}</ref>
It is common to have blocked milk ducts during breastfeeding.<ref name="USDA2024">{{cite web|access-date=25 January 2024 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102225742/https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/plugged-ducts-mastitis-and-thrush |language=en |title=Plugged Ducts, Mastitis, and Thrush {{!}} WIC Breastfeeding Support |url=https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/plugged-ducts-mastitis-and-thrush |website=wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov}}<!-- auto-translated from Spanish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
== Symptoms and signs== A blocked milk duct has the following common [[symptom]]s:<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thebump.com/a/clogged-milk-duct|title=Clogged Milk Ducts: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments|website=www.thebump.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.medela.in/breastfeeding-professionals/education/lactation-period/blocked-ducts|title=Reasons for blocked ducts|website=Medela|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> * Low [[fever]] and breast infection * Pain in a particular side of the breast * Swollen or tender lump in the breast * Slower milk flow * a small white [[blister]] on the nipple called a milk bleb * swelling or redness of the breast * areas of the breast that are hot or warm to touch * the infant may feel fussy when feeding from the affected breast
== Causes == [[File:Breastfeeding infant.jpg|thumb|Breastfeeding infant]]
Blocked milk ducts are a common breastfeeding problem and can be caused due to a number of reasons:<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322965.php|title=Clogged milk duct: Symptoms, home remedies, and prevention|website=Medical News Today|date=3 September 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> * When the infant does not latch properly * Wearing a tight bra or tight clothing can restrict the breasts and put pressure on them leading to a blocked milk duct * A bad or weak pump could lead to a drainage issue * When the breast milk is not removed regularly, the milk can back up and create a blockage * A nipple bleb can also block the milk duct * When the body produces milk in over abundance, it can engorge the breast and hence lead to a blockage * Other reasons include fatigue, over exercise, dehydration and weaning.
==Diagnosis== {{Empty section|date=September 2023}}
== Treatment == The most effective treatment against blocked milk ducts is to empty the affected breasts by frequent breastfeeding or pumping.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Roberts|first1=Kathryn L.|last2=Reiter|first2=Maureen|last3=Schuster|first3=Diane|date=September 1998|title=Effects of Cabbage Leaf Extract on Breast Engorgement|journal=Journal of Human Lactation|volume=14|issue=3|pages=231–236|doi=10.1177/089033449801400312|pmid=10205435|s2cid=13110956 |issn=0890-3344}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breast pumps can relieve blockages|url=https://momcozy.com/collections/electric-breast-pump/products/momcozy-wellness-1-warm-massage-wearable-breast-pump-w1}}</ref> Numerous other treatment approaches have been suggested, however, there is insufficient clinical research to determine the effectiveness. Treatments that have been studied but have no strong evidence for or against their use: * A gentle massage of the affected breast<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Zakarija-Grkovic|first1=Irena|last2=Stewart|first2=Fiona|date=18 September 2020|title=Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2020|issue=9 |article-number=CD006946|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006946.pub4|issn=1469-493X|pmid=32944940|pmc=8094412}}</ref> Sometimes after gentle massage over the lump, a string of the thickened milk comes out through the nipple, followed by a stream of milk, and rapid relief of the blocked duct.<ref name="ncbi1" /> * Ensuring a correct positioning and latching of the baby<ref name=":0" /> * Wearing loose clothing items that do not bind the breasts<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.meandqi.com/journal/engorgement-and-mastitis-complete-guide|title=Tackling engorgement and mastitis: an all-in-one guide|website=www.meandqi.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref> * Applying warm compresses<ref name=":0" /> * Drinking a specialized [[herbal tea]]<ref name=":1" /> * Acupuncture<ref name=":0" /> * Gua-Sha<ref name=":0" /> * Proteolytic enzymes<ref name=":0" />
A blocked milk duct can result from a [[nipple bleb]]. Both of these can lead to [[mastitis]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Walker | first = Marsha | title = Breastfeeding management for the clinician: using the evidence | publisher = Jones and Bartlett Publishers | location = Sudbury, Mass | year = 2011 | isbn = 978-0-7637-6651-1 | page =s 534–5}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Breast anatomy|state=collapsed}} {{Infants and their care}}
[[Category:Breast anatomy]] [[Category:Human female endocrine system]]