This is most often due to eczema or a bacterial or fungal infection. See your provider for treatment. Flaking, scaly, itchy nipples can be a sign of Paget disease of the breast. This is a rare form of breast cancer involving the nipple.
Products like soap, lotion, and laundry detergent may contain chemicals that cause an allergic reaction when they make contact with your skin. A skin condition called eczema can also cause your skin to become dry and cracked. These skin changes can cause nipple fissures.
Breast eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, discolored, itchy and bumpy. It may appear in the dark areas around your nipples (areolas), between your breasts, under your breasts, on the sides of your breasts or elsewhere on your chest.
Montgomery glands can become filled with a waxy substance. The gland then resembles a pimple with a white or yellowish head. These spots are known as Montgomery tubercles. Women do not have to be pregnant or breast-feeding for this to occur.
It can occur in conditions that affect the nipple area itself or in association with more generalized conditions, such as hives or eczema. Other common causes of itchy nipples include chemical irritants, such as soap and laundry detergent, dry skin, and side effects from medications.
Depending on the cause, the nipples may feel itchy or sore, and the skin may appear cracked or flaky. Most causes of dry or itchy nipples are harmless and temporary. Causes range from chafing to hormonal changes. In females, dry nipples can be related to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Symptoms of Paget's disease of the nipple
The nipple can sometimes be ulcerated. The rash is often similar in appearance to other skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. If you scratch it, or if it's left untreated, it can bleed, become ulcerated or scab over.
There are usually no obvious signs of thrush on your nipples. However some signs may be present and include: your nipples may appear bright pink; the areola may be reddened, dry or flaky. Rarely a fine white rash may be seen.
Clear, cloudy, or white discharge that appears only when you press on your nipple is usually normal. The more the nipple is pressed or stimulated, the more fluid appears. Yellow, green, or brown discharge is not normal and may be a symptom of an infection or other problem.
Itchy nipples and breasts are common, typically caused by irritants and allergens, hormonal changes due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation, menopause, or breast surgery. More severe causes include breast cancer and radiation therapy.
People should consult a doctor if they have: nipple discharge when they are not breast-feeding. nipple discomfort that lasts for more than a few days. nipple discharge associated with a lump in the breast.
Nipples are prone to dryness, especially during dry, cold climates. The dry weather deprives the skin of essential oils, hamper the outer skin layer, and lead to dehydration and inflammation. If dryness is the cause of itchy nipples, then your nipples may look chafed or raw.
A papilloma is a growth a bit like a wart. These can grow inside the ducts of the breast, often near to the nipple. Usually, intraductal papillomas are between 1 and 2cm in size. Sometimes they can be slightly larger. Often there is only one papilloma which can be easily removed.
A white bleb is a very small white spot on the nipple tip. It forms in two ways - either when a tiny bit of skin overgrows the opening of the nipple and forms a blockage in the duct, or through the formation of a string of hardened or fattier milk within the duct. This is why it has a white or yellow spot appearance.
The nipples and the area around the nipples (areola) become darker and larger. Small bumps may appear on the areola. These bumps will go away after you have your baby. You may notice a yellowish discharge, called colostrum, from your nipples as early as the 16th to 19th week.
The most common symptom of a nipple yeast infection is nipple and breast pain. You may feel a stabbing or shooting pain deep within your breasts. You may feel this pain during or after breastfeeding. The pain doesn't go away after changing the position or latch of your baby.
Mastitis usually only affects 1 breast, and symptoms often come on quickly. They include: a swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch – the area may become red but this can be harder to see if you have black or brown skin. a wedge-shaped breast lump or a hard area on your breast.
The crustiness you're referring to is likely related to the discharge from the nipple that has dried, forming a crusty scale. In most cases, nipple discharge is nothing to worry about. It could be due to cysts in the breasts, non-cancerous tumors, or infection, among other conditions.
Mammary Paget's disease exhibits a gradual onset that evolves over months to years and usually affects the breast unilaterally. The disease starts from the nipple area and gradually extends to the areola and to the surrounding skin in more advanced cases.
Something you may not have known: Your nipples can clue you in to some serious health problems. If you notice sudden puckering or dimpling of the skin around or on your nipple—particularly if it occurs around just one nipple—call your doctor. This could be a warning sign of breast cancer.
It is very normal to experience dry nipples even early on during your pregnancy. As the pregnancy hormones settle in, there can be a whole host of changes going on in your body, (some more fun than others!) including dry and sometimes flaky skin on and around the breasts and nipples.