Itchy Breast Nipples, Maybe This Is The Reason

Maybe you have suddenly felt itchy nipples. The itching can be mild and severe. Here are some causes of itchy nipples and how to overcome them. Itchy breast nipples are caused by several factors. Can be due to dry skin, or the most severe due to cancer. The itching that appears can vary in severity, the intensity of the desire to scratch can come occasionally or continuously. Although you really want to scratch, you should be careful. The reason is, scratching too often can damage the skin around the breast area, so that the skin in the breast can experience disturbances, such as blushing, cracking, thickened, or inflamed and swollen.

Causes of itchy breast nipples

Some of the causes of itching of the nipples are;

• Mastitis

A common problem experienced by nursing mothers is mastitis, which is inflammation of the breast tissue. This condition can occur due to blockage of milk ducts or bacterial infected breast tissue. Mastitis can make the nipples itchy, swollen, red with pain or painful sensations during breastfeeding. The eczema makes the skin dry, itchy, scaly, red, until it cracks, and hardens. If scratched to the wound, an infection can occur by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. This skin disease will often recur and disappear if not treated properly. Breasts will usually be enlarged during pregnancy. Stretching of the breast skin can trigger itching accompanied by peeling skin. This enlargement of the breasts and nipples occurs due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.

• Friction with clothes

If you run regularly, it could be itching caused by friction between the nipples and clothes. Skin irritation of the breast can also occur if you use a bra that is too narrow. If left unchecked, will cause sores, cracked nipples, and even bleeding.

• Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a dangerous disease that generally occurs in women. Symptoms include redness of the skin on the breast, lumps in the breast, nipples become flat or attracted, discharge from the nipples, and changes in the skin of the nipple or breast. Sometimes breast cancer can also cause painful or itchy nipples.

Itching on the nipples can be exacerbated if the area comes in contact with perfume, soap and clothes made from wool or artificial fibers.

How To Overcome Itchy Nipples

How to deal with itching on the nipples depends on the cause. If you experience eczema, it is recommended to maintain the skin's natural moisture by using a moisturizer. In addition, avoid substances that can irritate the skin, such as soap containing fragrances, detergents, or dyes. For treatment, this condition is usually treated with ointments that contain emollients and corticosteroids. For those who like running, you can use creams that can protect your nipples from friction, such as petroleum jelly. It is also recommended to use a bra that is comfortable and not too tight. As for pregnant and breastfeeding women, you can wear a bra made of cotton so that the air flow to the breasts smoothly, and avoid using harsh soaps. Another way is to smear the nipples with soft white paraffin or pure lanolin, and give a cold compress to the nipples to reduce itching. For further treatment, it is recommended to consult a doctor, especially if itching on your nipples does not improve or the condition is getting worse, such as causing fever, severe pain, nipples are drawn in, blood or yellow or brown liquid, there is weight loss for no apparent reason, and skin changes resemble orange peels.