Itchy breasts and nipples, what could be the cause?

Itching is very annoying and, if very persistent, can drive people crazy. Scratching, rubbing, sanding, lubricating and cooling, people think of everything to get rid of the itching. But what if you suffer from itchy breasts and/or nipples? Then one cannot scratch or rub extensively to relieve the irritation, one can only touch discreetly or isolate oneself in the toilet, for example, to seek relief. But once one has the opportunity to scratch, the next problem arises: breasts and nipples are often too sensitive to scratch and/or rub. But what actually causes itchy breasts and nipples and is there anything that can be done about it?

Itchy breasts and/or nipples

Many women and young girls (sometimes also men) regularly deal with itchy breasts and/or nipples. This is an annoying and mainly embarrassing problem, because scratching the breast or nipple in the presence of others is not considered normal. But once you finally have some privacy, scratching is still difficult because breasts and/or nipples are often far too sensitive. Usually, one does not get further than rubbing or sanding the itchy skin surface to achieve some relief. In general, itchy breasts and/or nipples, without other complaints, do not indicate a serious underlying disease that many women initially fear. Especially when the complaints are present on both sides at the same time, there is usually no reason to worry. But a serious condition can never be completely ruled out. Skin becomes itchy because the sensory nerves in the skin are stimulated.

Stimuli can be caused in many ways

Flaky and/or dry skin

Flakes are very thin “sheets” from the epidermis, consisting of one or more cell layers. The skins tickle the skin and can cause itching. Flakes can be caused by skin diseases such as psoriasis, but excessive flakes can also occur due to eczema and a fungal infection. A doctor can prescribe the right medication to treat the condition. Dry skin, where there are no visible flakes, can also become very itchy. Extremely dry skin sometimes looks “cracked” and in some cases there are fissures. Dry skin can be easily treated with a moisturizing (body) cream. If flaking persists, always contact your doctor; it may indicate a (serious) underlying disease.

Chemicals

Chemicals can cause an allergic reaction, which is manifested in skin irritation and/or itching. The human body is exposed to chemicals more often and for longer periods of time, which only increases the risk of an allergic reaction. Chemicals are contained in most care and cleaning products. For example, think of:

Laundry detergent
Shower gel
Bath foam
Body lotion
Deodorant
Cream

Switching to a similar product from another brand, possibly hypoallergenic, can reduce complaints or even eliminate them completely.

Clothing

People may not think about it at first, but clothing can cause hypersensitivity. Wool in particular is known to tickle and itch, for example the well-known “tickle sweater”. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and (poly)acrylic are materials that can also cause itching of breasts and nipples . But even when wearing latex, irritation in the form of itching can occur. Hard seams and lace edges on a bra, for example, can cause intense itching, this especially occurs with the somewhat stiffer (cheap) bras. Clothing that is worn too tight can also cause problems, everyone is probably familiar with the effect of tight socks that itch mainly around the collar. A bra that is too small and constricting can also cause a lot of itching.

Mold

If the skin is infected with fungus, it usually becomes red, slightly swollen, flaky and itches and burns. Sometimes there is even (stabbing) pain. In addition, eczema can also develop in the affected area, which can make complaints even worse. But a fungal infection can also manifest itself more quietly and then cause “only” (severe) itching. A fungal infection on the skin is almost always caused by candida, this is a yeast that occurs in most people but almost never causes complaints. When the yeasts start to form threads, we speak of mold and the associated complaints arise.A fungal infection on breasts and/or nipples can be caused by:

Breastfeeding, infected by babies with thrush.
Damp bra due to sweat, leaking or fluid nipples, for example.
Poorly healing moist wounds.

A fungal infection can be treated well with a fungal skin cream, which is available from a drugstore, pharmacy and/or doctor.

Hormonal itching

If itching is caused by hormones , it is called hormonal itching. Especially when there are many fluctuations in hormone balance, breasts and/or nipples can become quite itchy. In particular, young girls who are developing breasts and adolescent girls, whose breasts are still growing, can experience a lot of itching. Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause and pregnancy also cause itching. For hormonal itching, a (homeopathic) ointment against itching can provide relief, but a simple moisturizing cream can sometimes also provide relief. Medicines that influence hormone balance, such as a contraceptive pill, can cause itchy breasts as a side effect. If the itching is very severe, it is best to contact your doctor; it may be possible to switch to other medication/contraception.

Infection

During an infection, usually caused by bacteria, itching can occur on or near the infected breast skin. However, a (bacterial) infection manifests itself in more than just itching. Complaints such as pain , swelling and redness are clear signs of an infection, in an advanced stage you can even see pus (heads). An infection can develop in the breast itself (mammary inflammation) but also in the nipple(s) (mammary gland inflammation). These infections are called mastitis. In breastfeeding women, inflammation can occur due to the accumulation of milk, usually caused by a blocked milk duct. In women who immediately stop breastfeeding , the symptoms may worsen. Mastitis is very painful and should not be underestimated. Always contact your doctor as soon as possible to prevent a breast abscess. In addition to the above symptoms, a breast abscess may also cause fever, muscle pain and headache. In most cases, infections can be treated very well with antibiotics in the form of capsules or ointment.

Breast cancer

If there is (persistent) itching on both breasts and/or nipples without other complaints, then it is almost never a case of breast cancer. Breast cancer , in its early stages, does not often occur in both breasts at the same time. Itching on one breast or nipple in combination with other complaints can be alarming. A doctor should always be contacted as soon as possible.Alarming complaints are:

Blisters or red spots
Change in skin color
Persistent flaking on nipple
Retracting nipple(s)
Discharge (fluid, blood, pus) from one or more nipples
Lumps, swellings or thickenings in the breast, nipple and/or armpit

A few tips

Itching is terrible and sometimes you simply have to scratch, even though this is not good for the skin. Never scratch with sharp nails or other sharp objects. Try to avoid scratching the skin directly, preferably scratch through a piece of textile to prevent skin damage. To soothe the itching slightly, you can carefully rub the itchy skin with menthol oil, cream or gel. This has a (temporary) cooling and soothing effect and counteracts the itchy feeling.

Finally

If complaints persist, one should always consult a doctor or specialist, especially if there are more complaints than “just” itching on the breast(s) and/or nipple(s). Even if it concerns persistent vague complaints, it is wise to consult a doctor as a precaution.