title: Effects of menthol essence and breast milk on the improvement of nipple fissures in breastfeeding women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nipple fissure is a common disorder during breastfeeding. With high prevalence of nipple fissures and its impacts on breastfeeding, as well as the existence of evidence in favor of the application of peppermint as an antiinflammatory and antiinfection herb, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Menthol essence on improving nipple fissures in the primiparous breastfeeding women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted using a clinical trial method. Samples were divided randomly into two groups of 55 women. The women in the peppermint group applied four drops of Menthol essence on their nipple and areola after each feeding. The control group applied four drops of their own milk on the nipple and areola after each feeding. Then, the two groups were studied on days 10 and 14 postpartum. For intensity of pain, the visual analog scale (0-10 cm) and to measure the severity of damage, Amir scale (1-10 cm) were applied and the existence or lack of nipple discharge was also recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS 17 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean intensity of pain and nipple fissure before treatment (8.55 ± 1.74) and day 10 after delivery (4.26 ± 1.57) and before treatment and day 14 after delivery in the case group (1.32 ± 1.02) had a significant difference (P < 0.001). Nipple discharge between the two groups, before treatment (%75.2) and day 10 after delivery (%31.6) and before treatment and day 14 after delivery (%15.7), the case group had a significant difference (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Menthol essence can improve nipple fissures in the primiparous breastfeeding women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh Amir Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Akbari
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seideh Hanieh
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Alamolhoda
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza Akbarzadeh
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Baghban
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Parvaneh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirabi
keywords: Amir scale; menthol; nipple fissures; peppermint essence; visual analog scale