This disease can be either unilateral or bilateral, that is, it affects one breast or both. During development, a person may feel heaviness in the area of the mammary glands, lumps may be felt, nipples may change their shape, etc.
The main danger of the pathology is that it can lead to malignant neoplasms in the mammary glands.
There are several types of gynecomastia, let’s look at what each of them means:
- true - with this type, the breast grows due to the proliferation of glandular tissue, and a lump can be felt under the nipple;
- false - typical for overweight men, breasts grow not due to glands, but due to fat;
- mixed in nature - both glandular tissue and adipose tissue grow, and dominance of one of them is usually noted.
In order for the treatment of gynecomastia in a man to be successful, it is necessary to accurately identify the cause, then you will find out which doctor treats this pathology.
Atopic dermatitis
Or eczema. This skin inflammation sometimes occurs Nipple Dermatitis or Eczema / Sydney Breast Clinic on the nipple or areola - the flat, pink area around it. The causes of dermatitis cannot always be determined: it can be associated with allergies, hormonal changes, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Eczema can be recognized by a mild, sometimes itchy rash on the nipple and areola. These pimples can be either dry or weeping.
What to do about it
The best option is to consult a physician or dermatologist. As a rule, with eczema on the nipples, moisturizing creams with ceramides (also called ceramides) help - a waxy substance that is part of the stratum corneum of the skin and can help restore it. Sometimes hydrocortisone ointments and creams are used to reduce itching and swelling. You may also need heavy artillery - drugs that are sold in pharmacies only with a doctor's prescription.
Pathological causes of itching on the nipples
The female body works harmoniously as one mechanism, so the processes occurring in it can have different manifestations. The first thing you should pay attention to is whether the itching causes additional symptoms, for example, various types of discharge. A specialist will pay attention to this during diagnosis.
The main pathological causes include the following conditions:
- Menstruation. Some women and girls experience itching at the beginning of their cycle. This occurs under the influence of hormones, the growth of which actively increases. Most often, this symptom occurs in girls during puberty.
- Pregnancy. The cause of itching during this delicate period is the same changes in hormonal levels. Itching is usually observed in the first trimester.
- Lactation period. During breastfeeding, women often complain that their nipples are itchy and flaky. This occurs due to microcracks that form when the nipple gets into the baby's mouth. Squeezing, biting and constant wetness cause dry skin, cracks and irritation. During this period, women are recommended to use special means.
- Allergic or atopic dermatitis. This is the same condition that occurs during the development of allergies and turns into an inflammatory form. In this case, local and general antihistamines are required.
- Eczema. A skin condition that causes irritation. Most often it occurs on the limbs and head, but can also occur on the torso, affecting the nipples. Itching is one of the key symptoms of eczema.
- Thrush. This disease is caused by fungal infections of the Candida class. It is characterized by extremely unpleasant symptoms, and not only the nipples, but also the genitals itch.
- Mammary cancer. This is a dangerous oncological disease that can cause structural changes in the tissues of the mammary glands. When it develops, not only itching occurs, but also discharge from the nipples appears. This pathology requires urgent treatment, in most cases surgical treatment.
Unsuitable detergent
Soap, shower gel, or the powder you used to wash your T-shirt or dress—the chemical compounds they contain can sometimes cause contact dermatitis. Typically, it appears as itchy, red patches all over the body or in areas of sensitive skin. The nipples are those areas.
What to do about it
If your nipples itch for no apparent reason at first glance, remember if you have used a new shower gel or washing powder. Give it up for a while and monitor your condition. If the itching goes away, it means your skin simply doesn’t like a particular product. Try not to use it.
Common causes of itching
The problem of why nipples itch and hurt interests many women of different ages. When a similar symptom occurs, the woman feels extremely irritated, the itching is so severe that attempts to scratch occur and, as a result, irritation.
According to statistics, about 30% of women go to doctors with this problem, but this is only official data, in fact there are much more of them. Experts say that there is no need to panic, because the causes of such manifestations do not always lie in pathological factors. Sometimes they arise due to living conditions or poor hygiene, so itching occurs as a result of external irritants.
Drug therapy
Itching in the nipple area is a symptom of many diseases, so before starting its treatment, you should find out the true causes of this pathological condition. Sometimes, to eliminate unpleasant sensations, it is enough to eliminate the main factor in their development, that is, changing underwear to better quality ones, abandoning previous body hygiene products in favor of their hypoallergenic analogues, and the like.
- In some cases, when the cause of pathological itching is an allergy, doctors prescribe general and local antihistamines to patients. Most often it is recommended to take Suprastin or Diazolin tablets three times a day after main meals. It will also not be superfluous to use local antiallergic ointments or creams, which should be applied to inflamed areas of the skin twice a day until the manifestations of the disease disappear. In severe clinical cases, the patient may be offered glucocorticoid ointments.
Read also: Itching and burning with thrush: what to do, how to relieve it and how to relieve it
- Drugs that normalize hormonal levels and ease the course of menopause and menstruation will help relieve itching and flaking associated with an imbalance of female hormones. Their appointment should be carried out by a gynecologist, taking into account the characteristics of the body of each specific patient.
- Mastitis requires serious diagnosis and a course of antibacterial therapy. The choice of the necessary antibacterial agent depends on the nature of the pathogen. As a rule, such medications are prescribed in long courses of up to two weeks or even a month.
- In case of cancer, patients should immediately undergo surgical removal of the tumor, the tissues that surround it, and regional lymph nodes, which will prevent the spread of metastases and save a person’s life.
If your nipples itch due to the development of any disease, then you should not delay a visit to the doctor. It is a qualified specialist who is able to adequately assess the current problem and advise his patients on the most effective methods for solving it.
Features of traditional medicine
Modern experts do not deny the effectiveness of some folk remedies in the fight against itchy nipples. Therefore, they are often included in their treatment regimens as auxiliary techniques aimed at eliminating unpleasant sensations.
Chamomile decoction has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin of the breast, which promotes the healing of microcracks and perfectly fights infection in them. The product can be prepared even at home by pouring a tablespoon of dried plant flowers into 0.5 liters of boiling water and keeping the resulting composition in a water bath for 30 minutes. Chamomile decoction is used twice a day in the form of lotions or rubs. A noticeable effect is observed after the first such procedures.
In any case, you should not rely on the power of herbs. If you experience severe itching in your nipples, you should immediately contact a doctor, who will be able to determine the causes of the problem and prescribe the only correct solution.
How to get rid of itching?
Eliminating the problem depends on the provoking factor. If this is a trivial injury or an allergic reaction, then you can eliminate it yourself.
Another thing is pathological conditions that require complex treatment. It is important to understand that breast itching in the nipple area is not an independent disease, but only a symptom. Therefore, the first step is to undergo diagnostics.
As for thrush and eczema, in this case a comprehensive selection of medications is required that should eliminate the root cause, the symptoms will disappear on their own. In most cases, internal antihistamines are prescribed, the most popular of which are:
- Tavegil;
- Calcium gluconate;
- Eden;
- Cetrin;
- Fenistil in the form of drops and ointments.
In addition, complete elimination of the allergen is required. Also, you should not provoke dermatitis, so until the allergy symptoms disappear, you need to go on a diet, eliminating foods that can cause a reaction from your diet.
Young women often complain that before their period their nipples become swollen and itchy. To eliminate this symptom, special therapy is prescribed. A complex drug is selected that relieves symptoms and normalizes hormone function. The most popular drug today is Bellergal. This modern German remedy eliminates discomfort before menstruation and generally improves the health of girls. But it is not prescribed to people with heart failure, kidney failure or liver problems.
Experts say that self-medication in this case can have a detrimental effect on your health, so you should not take any medications without consultation.
Itchy nipples during pregnancy
Many women experience itchy nipples during pregnancy. This is a completely natural process caused by structural changes and hormonal levels. This phenomenon can occur throughout pregnancy, but is most alarming in the first three months.
Under the influence of estrogen and progesterone, various processes occur sharply, the body prepares for bearing and giving birth to a child. The breasts also prepare for feeding, so they actively increase in size. This occurs due to the growth of milk lobes, which will soon be filled with milk.
A sharp increase may be accompanied by stretch marks on the skin. Skin tissues do not keep up with the growth of internal tissues, so so-called stretch marks appear. In addition to itching of the nipples, during such a delicate period in the chest area, you can notice other symptomatic manifestations:
- redness and irritation around the nipples;
- dry skin and cracks;
- peeling of the skin;
- increased sensitivity;
- the appearance of discharge.
Breast changes, pain and itching during pregnancy are common symptoms of this condition and do not require treatment.
How to breastfeed correctly to reduce nipple pain?
The success of solving the problem of nipple pain largely depends on identifying and eliminating the cause of this pain. Perhaps one of the tips below will help in your case. But do not forget about the importance of consulting with a specialist and follow his recommendations. Remember that a face-to-face meeting with a feeding consultant is always important to monitor the act of feeding and assess its correctness!
- Make sure your baby is latching onto the nipple correctly.
The nipple should lie deep in the mouth. During feeding, the baby's lower lip should wrap around the nipple and not retract towards the gums. If you pull the corner of your baby's mouth while feeding, you should be able to see the back of his tongue, with his tongue resting on his chest.
- Try different
feeding positions .
This way the baby will not rub his mouth on the same places on the nipples. - If you need to release the breast, make sure that the baby releases the nipple.
Do not wean your baby from the breast until he has released the nipple on his own. Insert a clean finger into the corner of the baby's mouth on the side of the nipple, so he will stop sucking.
- Leave some milk or colostrum on your nipples and let it dry on its own.
However, if your milk leaks between feedings, put special pads in your bra and change them regularly.
- Do not wash your nipples with soap, shower gel, etc.
Water is sufficient for nipple hygiene. You should also carefully remove traces of laundry detergent from bras or T-shirts that will come into contact with your nipples. They may cause irritation.
- Purified lanolin or gel compresses
. If your nipples become dry and cracked, you can apply purified lanolin to them after each feeding. Gel compresses also help with nipple pain.
- Apply heat
. Pain can be relieved by applying a heating pad, warming gel pads, or a towel soaked in warm water to the breast after feeding.
- Use breast pads.
Shields are dome-shaped devices that prevent clothing or bras from rubbing against your nipples.
- Get treatment for your infection
. If you have been diagnosed with thrush or mastitis, you may be prescribed a course of antibiotics or antifungal medications.
- Contact a specialist.
Consult a lactation consultant or doctor. Be sure to consult a doctor if your nipples hurt for several days or if the pain gets worse.
FAQ
- Such pain may be a consequence of vasospasm, that is, narrowing of the blood vessels in the chest. To help you feel better, try applying a heating pad or warming gel to your breasts after feeding.
- The main cause of nipple pain is incorrect positioning of the baby and improper latching. Pain can also be caused by other reasons, so in this case it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Pain in the nipples is common when breastfeeding. But know that comfortable breastfeeding without pain is not a myth, you just need to take care of your nipples and take preventive measures. It is also recommended to consult with your doctor or lactation consultant.
Breastfeeding is excellent nutrition for your baby. And if your baby is fed and happy, you'll soon have a lot of dirty diapers waiting for you! Discounts and special offers will help you save on essential purchases.
Troubleshooting
Itchy nipples cause some discomfort and cause anxiety. If discomfort does not go away after applying a moisturizer or antihistamine cream, you should contact a medical facility. Diagnostic examinations will help exclude a malignant process in the mammary gland, and when an accurate diagnosis is made, doctors prescribe effective treatment.
Doctors emphasize that minor itching of the nipples during menstruation helps reduce sufficient water consumption during the day. You can improve skin elasticity by using a special cream for the décolleté and chest area.
Strengthening the immune system is a must for healthy skin
In parallel with the drugs described above, vitamin therapy and the use of immunomodulators deserve special attention. Strengthening the body's defenses is a task of paramount importance in the treatment of a disease such as nipple eczema.
Pharmacy vitamin-mineral complexes containing folic and ascorbic acids, vitamins B, C, E, A, as well as drugs can replenish the body with all the missing microelements.
- Immunoflazid;
- Immunal;
- Immunofan;
- Timalin.
In addition, these immunomodulators are very effective during exacerbations of chronic eczema.
Preventive measures
To ensure that this problem no longer bothers you, it is necessary to regularly carry out some preventive measures:
- select all cosmetics and detergents with particular scrupulousness; it is very important that they contain a hypoallergenic element;
- when choosing clothes, focus on natural fabrics, especially for the summer set; with increased sweating, the amount of irritation increases;
- maintain personal hygiene, the body should always be clean and fresh, this is not only pleasant, but also useful;
- Before taking medications, you should consult your doctor and carefully study possible side effects.
In general, breasts need to be protected and cared for constantly. The most vulnerable part of the mammary gland is the nipples; they are most often injured, so you should pay special attention to them. Beautiful, well-groomed breasts are an indispensable attribute of beauty and femininity.
When to see a doctor
If your health condition worsens, or there is a visual change in the area around the nipple or mammary glands, you should consult a mammologist or dermatologist. To find out the reason why your nipples itch will help:
- mammological examination;
- testing for hormones, tumor markers, bacterial cultures.
Symptoms to diagnose the condition:
- the appearance of compacted structures;
- nipple asymmetry;
- discharge from them of unclear consistency;
- enlargement of one breast;
- skin defects;
- change in color of the breast.
