Sometimes a white, clear, or yellow milk blister appears on the nipple or areola causing soreness during a feeding. Warm compresses and frequent nursing are the keys to overcoming this obstacle. If a mother has extreme pain when the nipples are exposed to the cold or when she is particularly stressed, she may be suffering from nipple vasospasm, also called Raynaud's of the nipple. The mother could also consider a suitable pain relieving or anti-inflammatory medication. Skin conditions such as thrush, eczema, psoriasis, and poison ivy can be responsible for nipple soreness, as can allergic reactions to shampoos, deodorants, ointments, soaps, detergents, medications, or food particles in a baby's mouth.
Some women are sensitive to the plastics in breast shells, nipple shields, and pump flanges.
Sore nipples in later months may be related to sucking pattern changes in a teething baby. The hormonal changes of pregnancy can also cause sore nipples. Bathing a crack with freshly expressed human milk may aid healing and offer antibacterial protection. Breast milk is readily available and has no adverse effects for either mother or baby, unless the mother has a yeast infection. In all other cases, expressed breast milk, in conjunction with correct positioning and latch, is the remedy of choice in much of the world.