How To Treat Itchy Nipple Eczema

When To Visit A Doctor

• You should see your doctor immediately if you experience:
• bloody, yellow, or brown drainage
• inverted nipple

Home Remedies For Nipple Eczema

Nipple eczema is something that can bring so much discomfort to a woman. This is especially true if she is breastfeeding, as the act of providing her little one with sustenance can be quite painful. The causes of nipple eczema are different, and there are also various natural remedies available for it.

A trip to the doctor makes it possible for a woman to obtain medical treatment for her nipple eczema, no matter if its mild or severe. However, a lot of those who are facing the said problem prefer to go for some all-natural means to have the condition dealt with. Breastfeeding women most especially should be very careful when treating their nipple eczema because whatever they apply on their nipples could easily end up in the mouths of their babies.

Below you will find some of the home remedies effective for a mild case of nipple eczema:

Rinse Your Nipples Using Cool Water

Its important to have the affected nipple rinsed in cool water to attain relief from discomfort. Using hot water for rinsing the nipples is not a good idea as it will only aggravate the problem. After rinsing your nipples with cool water, immediately pat dry with a clean towel. However, too much washing should be avoided.

Keep Contact With Perspiration to a Minimum

Choose Your Clothing Very Well

Regularly Apply Non-Allergenic Moisturizer

Steer Clear of Products With Strong Chemicals

Watch Carefully What You Put in Your Mouth

For Those Who Have Breast Cancer Having Itchy Breasts Is Also A Side Effect Of Radiation Treatment

Radiation therapy is unpleasant for many reasonsand itchy boobs can be one of them. Radiation received during treatment for breast cancer completely dries out the skin of the affected breast, which can result in itching, explains Dr. Ross. Keeping the skin moisturized during treatment will help reduce this side effect from breast radiation.

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Are Itchy Breast Symptoms Common

FWIW: Having itchy boobs can be totally normal. In fact, its not unheard-of to feel itchy enough to see a doctor about it. I see a few patients every month with this complaint, Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, tells SELF.

There are no official set-in-stone symptoms of itchy boobs , but Dr. Goldenberg says his patients have mentioned experiencing the following:

• Itchy nipples
• A burning sensation

Causes Of Nipple Eczema

Like all types of eczema, nipple eczema is caused by a genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Those who have a history of atopic dermatitis are more likely to develop nipple eczema.

External irritants that can make nipple eczema worse include contact with certain articles of clothing, laundry detergents, soap, and skincare products that contain harsh chemicals.

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You Dont Wash Your Bras Often Enough

You probably have a go-to bra or two that you wear more often than youd care to admit, and you probably wash them close to never. Unfortunately, this can cause issues with your boobs. Dirty clothes, including underclothes, often have bacteria that can irritate the skin, Dr. Goldenberg says. If the circumstances are exactly rightlike if you have a cut in your skin and bacteria from a dirty bra get into a crack in your skinthis can even cause an infection.

Itchy Nipples During Pregnancy: Why It Happens Tips To Help

So you’re handling morning sickness like a champ, and nausea has just about become part of your daily life now.

Suddenly pregnancy’s lesser-known first-trimester symptom creeps in and you can’t seem to find relief from itchy breasts and nipples. Itchy skin is a common symptom that many women experience during pregnancy, and most of the time it’s totally harmless.

We’ve got some tips and tricks to relieve some of that annoying breast itching, and the signs you need to look out for that signal that you should call your doctor.

Pregnancy can definitely be overwhelming at times, but our guide on how to grow a baby from week one of pregnancy might help. And you might want to check out this piece on whether you can eat goat’s cheese whilst pregnant to know what is safe and what isn’t during this exciting time.

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Symptoms Of Paget’s Disease Of The Nipple

Paget’s disease of the nipple always starts in the nipple and may extend to the areola. 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. If you scratch it, or if it’s left untreated, it can bleed, become ulcerated or scab over.

If you’re experiencing itchiness, burning or bleeding but the nipple looks normal and is not red or scaly, it’s unlikely to be Paget’s disease of the nipple. However, you should still have it checked by a doctor.

Around half of all women diagnosed with Paget’s disease of the nipple have a lump behind the nipple. In 9 out of 10 cases this is an invasive breast cancer.

Invasive cancer is where cancerous cells invade the surrounding breast tissue. Some women with Paget’s disease have invasive breast cancer but do not have a lump.

However, most women with Paget’s disease who do not have a lump have non-invasive cancer.

This is where the cancerous cells are contained in 1 or more areas of the breast and have not spread.

How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Breast Eczema

There are steps you can take that may prevent breast eczema outbreaks:

• Establish a skin care routine, and follow your healthcare professionals recommendations for keeping your skin healthy.
• Wear a bra and shirt made from a breathable fabric that wicks away moisture. Wash new clothing before wearing it. Avoid wool and silk.
• Use a mild soap for your bath or shower, and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. Apply a moisturizing cream or ointment immediately after drying your skin to help seal in the moisture. Reapply cream or ointment two to three times a day.
• Take baths or showers with lukewarm water, not hot water.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Water helps keep your skin moist.
• Try to avoid getting too hot and sweaty.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
• Learn to recognize stress in your life and how to manage it. Regular aerobic exercise, hobbies and stress-management techniques, such as meditation or yoga, may help.
• Limit your exposure to known irritants and allergens.
• Avoid scratching or rubbing your irritated skin.

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How To Relieve Itchy Nipples During Pregnancy

There are many tried and tested ways to provide relief for yourself if your nipples are itchy, or you’re experiencing sore nipples in early pregnancy.

First, try to wear loose-fitting clothing, such as a t-shirt, and avoid wearing a bra or other undergarments that rub against your breasts if you can. If your clothing is too tight, it will restrict the blood flow to your nipples and this will intensify the itching and dryness.

Applying cool compresses to your breasts may help relieve itching as well. Just be careful not to let the compress get too cold or wet as this can cause a different set of issues such as frostbite or chill bumps that are equally uncomfortable!

As you sleep at night, make sure you use a light blanket to keep the air around your breasts from getting too cold.

Ditch the over-the-counter medications. There are several over-the-counter medications that are often used to treat nipple eczema but the first thing you need to do is consult a doctor as these medications have not been approved for use in pregnant women. If you wish to try these medications, ask your doctor about safer alternatives such as nipple cream.

Apply synthetic lactation ointment around your nipples and also in between your breasts. There are a number of synthetic ointment products available that can be used while pregnant that will relieve the itching sensation on your nipples that makes them itchy and rough.

Eczema Risk Factors Causes & Symptoms

As a matter of fact, there is a wide range of causes and risk factors associated with eczema. And, eczema symptoms can manifest widely differently between those affected. While a singular cause of eczema has not been established, there are certain common causes leading to the onset and flares. In addition, a wide range of risk factors has been identified.

Risk Factors for Eczema

• Temperature changes

Symptoms of Eczema

While many will experience a lessening of symptoms and fewer flares as they age, some will continue to experience eczema symptomsthroughout adulthood, such as atopic eczema rashes. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and change from one outbreak to another. Common symptoms include:

• The appearance of small, raised bumps which may ooze liquid and develop a crust
• Thick, dry, scaly skin that cracks
• Red, brown or grayish patches of skin on hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, in skin folds, and on the face and scalp of infants
• Sensitive skin that is swollen and raw from scratching
• A recurring rash that causes intense itching, often disrupting sleep patterns
• Rashes due to atopic eczema

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You Simply Have Dry Skin

Wed be remiss not to mention this one. Good old-fashioned dry skin could be the reason you have itchy boobs or nipples. Dry skin anywhere on the body can cause itching, notes Dr. Ross.

This can be particularly problematic in the wintertime, Dr. Rodney says. Thats because the air outside tends to be cold and dry, which is like a double whammy when it comes to retaining moisture in your skin. Unfortunately, the warm air inside probably isnt doing you any favors either, as indoor heating tends to zap humidity and leave dry air in its wake.

So, be extra diligent about applying lotion to your boobs when the temps drop, as its an area that many people with breasts tend to neglect when moisturizing in general, Dr. Rodney says.

Getting To The Root Of All Weeping

Im going to mainly focus on secondary weeping in this article, as this is the one that affects a lot of eczema sufferers. Now you might have heard things about weeping eczema before like: its just your body pushing out toxins, you need to detoxify your blood, or the weeping is normal. I used to think some of these things myself, however as it turns out, many of these statements arent all that accurate.

Let me explain.

On your skin there lives a thriving community of bacteria, called Staphylococcus Aureus These are located in heavy concentrations around your nose, mouth, ears, privates, as well as just on your skin itself.

According to research, the BIGGEST factor that causes weeping on your skin, is due to these bacteria.

Now dont worry, just because you have this bacteria, doesnt mean you have MRSA . Actually Staphylococcus Aureus is a harmless bacteria that lives on the surface of everyones skin.

Mother Nature, in her infinite wisdom, helps us manage these bacteria, by blessing our skin with natural antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides, that help to keep these staph A bacteria under control. Research shows that these natural antimicrobial peptides, help prevent against the colonisation of staph on the skin.

Studies show that many eczema sufferers tend to have impaired skin barriers, which means that along with your skin being more prone to dryness, you are also lacking natural antibiotics to keep these skin bacteria at bay.

Here are some facts:

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How Can I Prevent An Itchy Breast Or Nipple

Proper and careful skin care can prevent itchy breast or nipple due to atopic dermatitis. Other causes of itchiness, including cancers, often cannot be prevented.

Mastitis prevention includes allowing your breasts to fully drain of milk while breast-feeding. Other preventive steps include:

• alternating the breast you first offer during feedings
• alternating the position you use to breast-feed your baby
• ensuring your baby empties one breast before using the other for breast-feeding
• seeking the advice of a lactation consultant to achieve a better latch

Nipple Dermatitis Or Eczema

Skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis may occur on the nipple and the areola, the flat coloured part around the nipple. These problems are more common in women who tend to be allergic , or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by inflammation of the skin by products such as shampoos, soap, washing detergents or chemicals. Allergic contact dermatitis is a true allergy to a product used on the skin.

With any of these causes, a rash is seen on the nipple or areola which may be dry or weepy. The rash is usually itchy and may be on one or both breasts. There may be an associated burning pain especially if breastfeeding. In breastfeeding women the symptoms often occur around the time of infant teething or the introduction of solids.

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How Do I Care For An Itchy Breast Or Nipple

Treatments for itchy breast or nipple depend upon the cause. Most symptoms should resolve with over-the-counter treatments, including adopting a skin care routine that includes washing your skin with a mild soap and lukewarm water.

A skin cream that does not contain perfumes or dyes may ease symptoms. Topical applications of corticosteroids may also reduce inflammation. Avoiding allergenic substances can also put a stop to your itching.

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Eczema On Nipple

Anyone can experience nipple eczema but it is often diagnosed in teenage girls, even if they do not have a prior history of atopic dermatitis.

It can also affect breast-feeding women, especially if they have easily irritated skin or a history of eczema. Non-breastfeeding women and men who have a history of eczema or sensitive skin may also develop this condition.

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In Rare Cases Itchy Boobs May Be A Symptom Of Breast Cancer

If you have breast itchiness, its much more likely that its due to one of the above reasons and not breast cancer. With that said, theres a small chance it could be inflammatory breast cancer, a rare but aggressive form of the disease that invades your skins dermis , creating an inflammatory response, Jack Jacoub, M.D., a medical oncologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, tells SELF.

Inflammatory breast cancer also usually has other symptoms including a rash orange-peel skin and red, inflamed skin thats hot to the touch, Dennis Holmes, M.D., a breast cancer surgeon and researcher and interim director of the Margie Petersen Breast Center at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California, tells SELF.

Things You Need To Know About Your Nipples

Dry, flaky nipples. Irritated underboob. Breast skin so itchy you spend half the workday secretly reaching into your blouse to scratch your rack. If you’ve ever had to deal with these annoying chronic itches, you know how uncomfortable things can be behind your bra. But how common is breast and nipple itching, and whats actually bringing on your need to scratch?

It’s a complaint many patients bring to her during office visits, says Christine Greves, MD, ob-gyn at the center for obstetrics and gynecology at Orlando Health in Florida. Its not the number one concern I hear, but it definitely comes up.

RELATED: Whats That Itch Down There?

Lots of factors come into play making your breasts itch, from benign issues like dry skin to serious conditions such as certain types of breast cancer. But even when it’s not life-threatening, all that scratching can really cut into your quality of life. We asked doctors to outline for us all the possible causes, then explain easy ways to get rid of this bothersome breast issue.

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Your Skin Is Irritated From A Sunburn

If youve been topless outdoors recently, whether it was on a beach or in your backyard, this could be your problem. Your breast skin is sensitive and can easily get burned, especially since its not typically exposed to sunlight. Along with delightful side effects like peeling, sunburns can cause intense itching thanks to skin irritation.

What Causes Itchy Skin On Your Breast

There are many possible causes of itching on, under, or between your breasts. When theres a rash or obvious, red irritation, you could be dealing with:

• Yeast infection. Yeast infections in the breast area are fungal infections often formed in the warm, moist area under the breasts. They are usually red, irritated, and extremely itchy.
• Eczema. Atopic dermatitis also results in an itchy red rash around the breast or other areas of the skin. Its generally caused by the skins inability to hold onto moisture and to the good bacteria that helps protect it from irritants.
• Psoriasis. Psoriasis forms itchy red patches of dry, dead skin due to uncontrolled skin cell growth. Its common to get irritated patches of psoriasis on or under the breasts.

Itching under, between, or on your left or right breast without a rash could be slightly harder to diagnose. More than likely its the result of:

• growing breasts that are stretching the skin

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