{"id":62551,"date":"2024-01-11T15:22:16","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T20:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62551"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:16:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:16:16","slug":"itchy-nipple-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/itchy-nipple-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes itchy nipples? Related conditions and treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dealing with an itchy nipple can be extremely irritating and uncomfortable. Not only that, but you probably have lots of questions and concerns about why this is happening. In most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. By far, the most common causes include irritation from soap and clothing, skin conditions like <\/span>eczema<\/span><\/a>, dry skin, and hormonal fluctuations. In rare cases, itchy nipples are caused by breast cancer. The good news is that the causes of itchy nipples are treatable.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n

What causes itchy nipples?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The tricky thing about itchy nipples is that there isn’t just one possible cause of itching on or around the nipples. Some causes are environmental or hormonal. Others stem from different diseases and conditions. Here, we’ll take an in-depth look at itchy nipple causes with advice from healthcare experts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contact dermatitis<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to <\/span>Kelly Culwell, MD, OB-GYN<\/span><\/a>, also known as Dr. Lady Doctor<\/span>, itchy nipples are usually caused by an irritant making contact with your nipple, a condition known as contact dermatitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The most common cause of itchy nipples is likely dermatitis or skin irritation around the nipples,” Dr. Culwell says. This could be due to irritation from clothing or sensitivity to anything touching the nipple, including body creams, laundry detergents, and itchy fabrics such as wool or lace.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the<\/span> American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology<\/span><\/a> explains, when you have contact dermatitis, you may notice that your skin is itchy and also may look reddish, feel warm to the touch, and may even have bumps or blisters.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of itchy nipples, the bra you are wearing might be what’s irritating your skin.<\/span> When the culprit of dermatitis is the fabric that’s touching the skin, it’s called textile contact dermatitis<\/a>, which may be caused by the fibers in the fabric or an allergic reaction to chemicals used in manufacturing the fabric.<\/span> Fabric additives like formaldehyde resins, para-phenylenediamine (PPD), and flame retardants are some of the most common culprits when it comes to textile contact dermatitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eczema<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another common cause of itchy nipples is eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. “In my practice, I’ve seen that a common cause of itchy nipples is eczema, which is an inflammatory skin condition leading to redness and itchiness,” says <\/span>Hannah Kopelman, DO<\/span><\/a>, dermatologist and chief medical officer for DermOnDemand<\/span>. “<\/span>It occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental<\/span> factors that disrupt the skin’s barrier function.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The condition is characterized by red, dry, flaky, itchy patches of skin, according to the<\/span> American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD)<\/span><\/a>. It’s usually a lifelong condition that goes through periods of flare-ups and remission. Eczema can affect any part of the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the wrists, elbows, and behind the knees.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Hormonal fluctuations<\/span><\/h3>\n

In some cases of itchy nipples, hormonal changes may be to blame. “Hormonal fluctuations that occur during different phases of your menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause are all times when you might experience sensitive or itchy nipples,” says Ila Dayananda, MD, MPH, OB-GYN and chief medical officer of <\/span>Oula Health.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A study published in the<\/span> European Journal of Dermatology<\/span><\/i><\/a> found that itchy skin often correlates with <\/span>hormonal fluctuations<\/span><\/a>. The researchers surveyed 278 women between the ages of 20–65. Of the women who were still menstruating, 42% said that they experienced skin sensitivity right before and during their periods. Besides skin sensitivity, most of these women experienced itchiness, dryness, pimples, bumps, and redness.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Dry skin<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dr. Dayananda says that dry skin is another typical cause of itchy nipples. Dry skin is most common when the weather turns colder, according to the <\/span>AAD<\/span><\/a>. Dry skin can lead to many uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchiness, redness, flaking skin, and cracked skin. Sometimes, the skin can even bleed a little if it cracks from dryness.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Radiation dermatitis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some medical treatments can lead to dry skin, which can cause itchiness. One common cause of itchy skin that can affect the nipple is radiation therapy for cancer. When you have dry, itchy skin following radiation therapy, it’s called radiation dermatitis. According to the<\/span> American Cancer Society<\/span><\/a>, during radiation therapy, you may notice that your skin looks reddish and irritated, like a sunburn. After a few weeks’ time, the skin becomes itchy, flaky, and dry and may start to peel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breast cancer<\/span><\/h3>\n

Though extremely rare, sometimes itchy nipples are a sign of breast cancer. One type of breast cancer that can cause itchy nipples is<\/span> Paget disease<\/span><\/a>. The condition often starts by looking like other forms of dermatitis, with itchy nipples and red, flaky skin. “It eventually involves ulcers or sores on or around the nipple and a clear or bloody discharge or skin cancer,” Dr. Culwell describes.<\/span> Inflammatory breast cancer<\/span><\/a> can also cause itchy nipples as well as other symptoms that include swelling, inflammation, nipple dimpling, and skin that looks like an orange peel. If a healthcare provider suspects inflammatory breast cancer, they’ll ask you to schedule a mammogram and a biopsy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Should I be worried about itchy nipples?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It’s common to experience itchy nipples at one point in your life, and the most common causes—reaction to irritants, eczema, dry skin, and hormonal changes—are not dangerous or life-threatening. “Itchy nipples are often not a cause for alarm and can be treated effectively,” Dr. <\/span>Kopelman<\/span> assures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although most causes of itchy nipples are not worrisome, you should see a healthcare provider if you have a history of dermatitis, eczema, or breast cancer. You should also see your doctor if you experience other symptoms with the itching. “If you’re experiencing persistent or severely itchy nipples, or if this symptom is associated with pain, discharge, or exterior changes of the nipples or breasts, it’s important to consult your doctor for possible causes,” Dr. Dayananda explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Complications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most of the time, if you address the cause of itchy nipples and receive proper treatment, no further complications arise<\/span>. Still, “complications such as infections can arise if the skin is broken from excessive scratching,” <\/span>Dr. <\/span>Kopelman says. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

How is the cause of itchy nipples diagnosed?<\/span><\/h2>\n

To diagnose the cause of itchy nipples, your healthcare provider may want to figure out what is causing them. To do this, they may ask:<\/span><\/p>\n