The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Nippple crack can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like nippple crack here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here nippple crack is often associated with breast pain, breast distention and breast lumps in the pattern “Blow Breast (Chui Ru)”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of nippple crack we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Tuo Li Xiao Du San can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Blow Breast (Chui Ru), a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause nippple crack
In Chinese Medicine nippple crack is a symptom for the pattern "Blow Breast (Chui Ru)". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Tuo Li Xiao Du San, a formula used for Blow Breast (Chui Ru)
Blow Breast (Chui Ru)
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to nippple crack, other symptoms associated with Blow Breast (Chui Ru) include breast pain, breast distention and breast lumps.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blow Breast (Chui Ru) is associated with health issues such as Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Blow Breast (Chui Ru) is often treated with Tuo Li Xiao Du San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Tuo Li Xiao Du San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Draws out toxicity".
A herbal formula that might help with nippple crack
Tuo Li Xiao Du San
Source date: 1548 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Draws out toxicity. Expels pus from the interior. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
Why might Tuo Li Xiao Du San help with nippple crack?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blow Breast (Chui Ru)' of which nippple crack is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blow Breast (Chui Ru) can contribute to many health issues, including Mastitis.
Milkvetch root might help with nippple crack
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with nippple crack?
Because it is a key herb in Tuo Li Xiao Du San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with nippple crack as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Conditions associated with nippple crack
Other symptoms often associated with nippple crack
Breast pain Breast distention Breast lumps Breast redness Fever White spots on nipples Uneven milk supply Breast pus discharge Breast hardness Constipation