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.
Mastitis, hormonal changes, yeast infections, dermatitis, and nursing are all noncancerous causes of itchy breasts. Cancers that are known to cause itchy breasts include IBC and Paget's disease. Taking care of your breasts is important.
Early IBC symptoms may include persistent itching and the appearance of a rash or small irritation similar to an insect bite. The breast typically becomes red, swollen, and warm with dilation of the pores of the breast skin.
“Some women experience itchy nipples due to a hormonal influx of estrogen prior to their periods,” explains Thaïs Aliabadi, MD, an ob-gyn and co-founder of Trimly. “The breasts are very sensitive to estrogen levels, which can lead some women to have itchy nipples when they have PMS.”
There are several causes of nipple or areola dermatitis. These include eczema and irritation or allergic dermatitis. Certain types of dermatitis can also cause eczema. Eczema is a common condition in breast-feeding women, especially those who have previously been affected by atopic dermatitis.
Use a thick moisturizer with ceramides, a waxy ingredient that helps heal the skin. A topical steroid cream like hydrocortisone can help with swelling and itching. Your doctor can prescribe stronger prescription ointments. See them right away if you notice any oozing or tenderness, which could be a sign of infection.
Moisturize the skin around your nipple using an unscented cream or lotion. You can also use petroleum jelly to keep the skin moist. Taking medications such as corticosteroids, which reduces inflammation and itchiness. They come in the form of creams that you to apply to your skin.
The breasts are quite responsive to estrogen levels because breast tissue has many estrogen-receptor sites. During menopause, the level of these hormones begins to change, and this can have an impact throughout the body—as well as in the breasts—causing breast tenderness, discomfort, and even itchiness.
It appears as a red, scaly rash on the skin of the nipple and areola. The affected skin is often sore and inflamed, and it can be itchy or cause a burning sensation. The nipple can sometimes be ulcerated. The rash is often similar in appearance to other skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Itchy skin could be a sign of skin cancer if it is accompanied by: A new skin growth or lesion. A change in a mole, such as a spread of pigment beyond the border. A sore that continually crusts over but doesn't heal.
See your health care provider or a skin disease specialist (dermatologist) if the itching: Lasts more than two weeks and doesn't improve with self-care measures. Is severe and distracts you from your daily routines or prevents you from sleeping. Comes on suddenly and can't be easily explained.
Itchiness of the breast is not usually due to cancer. It is more often caused by other conditions that can affect the breast such as eczema or mastitis (inflammation of the breast).
Sore and heavy breasts have a variety of possible causes. Hormones, pregnancy, and breastfeeding can all cause a person's breasts to feel heavy and sore. In many cases, lifestyle changes can ease breast pain. If the pain returns or causes anxiety, a person should see a doctor.
Fluctuating hormone levels can thin the skin and make it prone to dryness and itching. Often the urge to itch can happen at night, a time when you can become very aware of skin sensations. It can be a real sleep thief.
How does hormone imbalance cause itchy skin? and is caused by declining levels of estrogen in the body. This leads to a decrease in collagen, which is a protein that makes your skin strong. The lack of collagen in your body makes your skin thinner, drier and more likely to itch.
A rash under your breast or breasts, between the folds of skin, is usually caused by a benign (not cancer) skin condition called intertrigo. It is a very common condition that can occur throughout life. You may hear it called candida intertrigo.
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.
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.
The nipple has thin and delicate skin, making them prone to dryness, chafing, and redness. That's why it's worth incorporating a nipple cream or moisturizer into your routine that provides relief to dry skin and replenishes lost moisture.