Nipples can itch due to different causes. Some of them are:...CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Irritations or allergies;
Dryness;
Breastfeeding;
Breast enlargement;
Other diseases, such as Paget’s disease, Bowen’s disease and cancer;
Nipple itching can affect women and men. Men can also get breast cancer.
Find out what can be the cause of itchy nipples according to the presence of other signs.
1. irritations, dermatitis and allergies
The lesions caused by these factors can appear suddenly or have been present for some time when you start to feel the itching. When they appear suddenly, fluid-filled lumps, scabs and sores may be present on the nipples. When they are persistent, the nipples are usually dry and reddish and may have plaques or scaling.
Itching is the main symptom in the case of allergies. It can be caused by:
By residues of products used in washing clothes, especially bras;
By products applied to the area;
By the fabric of the clothes or the bra;
By sweating.
You may also notice redness in the area around the nipple. Try to identify if there is something that could be causing the allergy.
To avoid allergies:
Rinse your clothes better during washing to avoid soap and fabric softener residues;
Prefer bras made with soft, natural fabrics – wash them frequently;
Stop using cosmetics and medicines when you suspect they are responsible for the itching.
2. Dryness
The nipple can be dry due to very hot baths, for example. In addition to itching, you may notice that the skin is whitish around the area. In this case, you can apply a cream or gel extracted from the inside of the aloe leaf (Aloe vera).
3. Breast enlargement
Breast enlargement is another cause for itchy nipples. This can happen when a person gains weight, gets a prosthesis or during pregnancy.
Breast enlargement is one of the first signs of pregnancy. If you have a menstrual delay, your nipples itch, have more urge to urinate, more sleep or nausea, you may be pregnant.
4. Breastfeeding
Feeling pain and itching in your nipples when you breastfeed is common in the four days after giving birth. When they persist after this period, there are two possibilities:
They can appear in the breast when the breast is full of milk, which is most common;
When the baby does not latch on to the nipples properly and hurts them, they can hurt, burn, bleed and itch.
If you are breastfeeding and your nipples are sore, go to a health service. There, they will examine your breasts to see if there are any problems, such as mastitis or abscesses. If everything is OK, the health workers can teach you how to make your baby suckle in the right way.
Aloe leaf gel is moisturising and healing. It can be applied to the injured nipples of breastfeeding women. In this case, the nipple should be cleaned with a compress of water before feeding. Just be careful to avoid using the milk from the leaf.
5. Benign lesions of the nipple
Benign lesions of the breast are much more frequent than malignant ones. Among them are some rare tumours of the nipples:
Neurofibromas;
Warts;
Leiomyomas;
Milium;
Papillomatosis;
Fibromas;
Hemangiomas;
Lipomas.
The symptoms that may appear on the nipple if you have one are similar to those of Paget’s disease:
Itching;
Bleeding;
Pain;
Swelling;
Stiffening;
If you have these symptoms, see a GP or general practitioner.
6. Paget’s Disease
Paget’s disease starts in the nipple and then spreads to the areola. As well as itching, the nipple may:
Hurt or burn;
Have scaly lesions;
Have small blisters or sores;
Sometimes blood may come out of the nipple and it may be retracted.
Paget’s disease is a rare type of breast cancer that can be identified by the presence of the symptoms listed. If you have these symptoms, you need to be seen by a GP or general practitioner.
7. Bowen’s Disease
The nipple may be swollen, peeling and bleeding, with no change in the areola. People with low immunity, who have HPV or are elderly have a higher risk of having the disease.
It is a type of skin cancer that rarely affects the nipple region, as it is more common in areas of the body exposed to the sun. It is important to identify the disease quickly because it can reach the breast tissue and cause breast cancer.
If you suspect you may have Bowen’s disease, see a GP or general practitioner.
8. Breast cancer
Breast cancer can also cause itching and nipple changes. In addition to these, the breast may have asymmetry, pain and lumps.
Other possible causes may include – Undergarments, Menopause, Friction, Soap, Thrust, etc.
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