Megan,

You asked "Has anyone ever dealt with a blockage in the ducts so severe that
it caused the area to appear almost nipple-like? As in prodruding as much as
the nipple itself do to the inflamation from the blockage?"

This was almost certainly a breast abscess, which often starts as a blocked
duct, progresses to mastitis, and abscess. It sometimes "comes to a head"
and can also open up and drain (which is not the best case scenario) but
usually is opened surgically and drained. This is called "incision and
drainage" or I&D in medical lingo. This must be what she referred to as
having her ducts "cut open."

As far as the inverted nipples, I don't think this has anything to do with
anatomically causing the blockage DIRECTLY, but rather poor latch/attachment
and suboptimal milk drainage, leading to milk stasis is the blame.

Mastitis/abscess is a very interesting thing to read and learn about. You
should find scores of posts in our archives and also of course consult some
good lactation texts about it. The Breastfeeding Atlas by Wilson-Clay and
Hoover has great photos and cases on this.

Make sure the mom is getting skilled help (in person) because the
mastitis/abscess and also the inverted nipples and the milk stasis all can
be devastating to the milk supply and also the mastitis/abscess can recur.
This can of course be very very trying for the mom . This poor mom
definitely needs support. Glad she called you and has you in her corner.

Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN
New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA

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