Pus from the nipple

Definition – What is pus from the nipple?

Pus is a yellowish to greenish, thin or viscous secretion, which is usually an indication of a bacterial infection. In the case of inflammation of the breast (mastitis) or nipple, pus may flow out of the nipple, this discharge may be unilateral or bilateral. Affected are breastfeeding women as well as young women or women after menopause. Purulent discharge must be distinguished from bloody and milky discharge, all forms can also occur in non-nursing women. In case of purulent or bloody discharge, a doctor should always be consulted.

Causes

First, a purulent secretion of the nipple must be separated from a milky secretion (galactorrhea). Depending on the nature of the secretion, this is not necessarily obvious. A frequent cause of purulent secretion of one or both nipples is an inflammation of the mammary gland.

This often occurs in the postpartum in nursing women. In this case a milk stasis leads to a secondary bacterial inflammation of the mammary gland and the nipple. Inflammation of the breast can also affect non-lactating women of any age group.

Smokers in particular often suffer from this painful inflammation. In the case of inflammation of the mammary gland, in addition to the purulent discharge, redness, swelling and tension pains of the breast occur, triggered by bacteria such as staphylococci. Injuries to the nipple caused by the child’s teeth during breastfeeding or, for example, by piercings can also lead to the penetration of pathogens and a purulent discharge from the nipple.

Other causes of secretion from the nipple, which are often difficult to distinguish from pus from the outside, are benign and malignant changes in the breast (especially in the case of one-sided secretion, breast cancer should always be excluded). During breastfeeding, bacteria from the child’s oral flora or the mother’s skin can penetrate the nipple, e.g. due to suboptimal application through tiny skin cracks. The sore nipples can easily become inflamed; in the worst case, an encapsulated accumulation of pus (abscess) in the area of the nipple can occur.