Question
The nipple of a five-month-old baby has become red and swollen, and the parents have visited five hospitals, but the treatment has not been effective. Some medications have been used, including Kangfu Xin Ye and Baidu Bang, but there has been no improvement. Recently, a traditional Chinese medicine research institute diagnosed it as “internal heat” and has taken treatment methods such as bloodletting, applying plasters, and giving traditional Chinese medicine, but it remains ineffective. Previous diagnoses included “wear and tear” by the hospital. The parents hope to receive professional opinions on whether specific medications are needed and to get professional medical advice.
Answer
In the case of a five-month-old baby’s nipple redness and swelling, it is usually due to the mother’s emotional fluctuations, which often resolve on their own after a few days. During this period, it is advisable to avoid touching the nipple to prevent fungal infections. For such a young infant, medication treatment is not recommended. Parents can give the baby more water to drink and use a towel to gently apply compresses when there is nothing else to do, as these methods can help alleviate the problem.