Itchy nipples is a skin condition that can be caused by a number of reasons, such as eczema, allergies, pregnancy, and breast cancer. If you notice that you have severe itching, redness, or swelling of the skin around your breasts or nipples, you should see your doctor immediately. to detect the cause and treat it promptly
Itchy nipples, itchy nipples, what are the causes?
Itchy nipples is a skin condition that can be caused by a number of reasons, such as eczema, allergies, pregnancy, and breast cancer. If you notice that you have severe itching, redness, or swelling of the skin around your breasts or nipples, you should see your doctor immediately. to detect the cause and treat it promptly
Causes of itchy nipples
Itchy nipples or itchy nipples can be caused by the following reasons.
- contact dermatitis
It is a condition caused by skin contact with allergens such as chemicals in laundry products, perfumes, soaps, lotions, fabric fibers, weather conditions, too hot or too cold water. Until it may cause dry skin, irritation, itching, redness, stretch marks, swollen skin.
How to treat contact rash
The skin on the chest should not be exposed to allergens. If itching or a rash appears, you may use an anti-itch and anti-infection medication, such as hydrocortisone cream. corticosteroid cream calamine oral antihistamine and applying a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling
- skin infection
Itchy nipples Itchy nipples can be caused by a fungal or bacterial infection of the subcutaneous tissue of the breast, which can occur at any time if the skin is dry, chapped, or wounded, leading to itchy, swollen, red, painful skin. cause skin diseases such as eczema, ringworm, boils, erysipelas, impetigo
How to treat skin infections
The doctor will prescribe medication according to the cause of the patient’s infection as follows:
- for treating bacterial infections Antibiotics may be administered orally, applied topically, and intravenously. At your doctor’s discretion, such as Mupirocin (Mupirocin), Clindamycin (Clindamycin), Tetracycline (Tetracycline), erythromycin (Erythromycin) to help kill bacteria. or inhibit the growth of bacteria
- To treat viral infections such as psoriasis, shingles , and herpes, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir. (valacyclovir) famcyclovir (Famciclovir)
- For the treatment of fungal infections, skin rejuvenation may be performed with the use of creams. topical ointments or oral antifungals such as clotrimazole, terbinafine, ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole
- pregnancy
May result in itchy nipples as the levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG (hCG) may be elevated. This causes the breast and the skin around the breast to expand and crack, leading to itching, burning, and pain in the skin of the breast. Some people may have blisters, dry skin, red skin. or eczema
How to relieve milk itching for pregnant women
Should add moisture to the skin by using coconut oil. Lanolin oil (Lanolin) in the form of lotions, creams, ointments, etc. If the itching does not improve or there are signs of a fungal infection such as redness, eczema, irritation, itching or burning, treatment should be given immediately.
- clogged milk ducts
It may be caused by the remaining breast milk in the milk ducts. Resulting in clogged milk ducts. until it may cause the baby to have problems sucking milk Or the baby may latch on so hard that the nipples become sore, irritated and itchy.
How to treat blocked milk ducts
The area around the breasts, nipples, and breast pumps should be cleaned regularly. To prevent milk from remaining in the milk ducts until the milk ducts become clogged. In addition, the silicone sheet should be placed in the refrigerator. or apply lanolin cream on the affected area To relieve itching and irritation
- entering menopause
Women who go through menopause may experience a decrease in estrogen. As a result, the body produces less oil that adds moisture to the skin. Leading to dry skin, sensitive skin and easily irritated. until itching
How to maintain skin during menopause
May choose to use skin care products that help increase moisture. without perfume and chemicals that irritate the skin
- Cancer of the nipple ( Paget’s disease of the breast)
It is a rare cancer. and the exact cause is unknown. But it is thought to be the result of cancer cells moving through the milk ducts to the nipple and surrounding skin, thus causing cancer. which can be observed from itching, red nipples, flaky, rough skin around the nipples, feeling a hard lump under the skin
How to cure nipple cancer
The doctor may consider the symptoms and skin conditions around the nipples. The following surgical methods may be used:
- Mastectomy (mastectomy) surgical removal of the entire breast It also removes fatty tissue, milk ducts, chest muscles, areolas, and axillary lymph nodes.
- Surgery to remove both breasts (Double Mastectomy or Bilateral Mastectomy ) if the patient has risk factors for cancer cells to spread to the other breast, such as genetic factors. A family member has had cancer. Your doctor may recommend surgical removal of both breasts.
- breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) to remove only the cancerous part The surrounding healthy tissue is preserved and may need to be treated in conjunction with radiotherapy after surgery.
- Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may be performed if cancerous cells are found in the axillary lymph nodes. There is a risk that the cancer cells will spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit. Or to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer
- Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB ) A biopsy removes a biopsy from the axillary lymph nodes. That are most at risk of developing cancer. If it is found that cancer cells have not spread to the axillary lymph nodes. This gland A biopsy from another lymph node may not be need. There is also a low risk of cancer spreading to the axillary lymph nodes.
How to relieve itchy nipples
Ways to relieve itchy breasts or itchy nipples may be as follows.
- Apply a cold compress for 5-10 minutes until itching subsides.
- Apply moisturizer to add moisture to the skin and avoid skin care products that contain fragrances. And chemicals that can cause allergies and irritation.
- Take a warm or cold shower instead of a hot one. And limit shower time to 10 minutes to reduce the risk of dry, irritate skin. or sunburne skin. An oatmeal bath may help relieve symptoms and moisturize your skin.
- avoid harsh scratching This can cause skin irritation, abrasions, or sores, and may increase the risk of skin infections.
- Wear clothing made of cotton. and not too tight to prevent severe itching
- Avoid exposure to cold weather or dry air This can cause dryness, itching, irritation and a risk of psoriasis.