Pain or itching in the nipple: what it can be and what to do

The presence of sore or aching nipples is relatively common and can appear at various times in life, both in men and women. Most of the time it is just a sign of a mild problem such as friction of clothing, allergies or hormonal changes, but it can also be a symptom of a more serious problem, such as infection or cancer, for example.

Normally, nipple pain disappears in 2 to 3 days and, therefore, does not need specific treatment, but if it lasts longer or if it is very intense it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or mastologist to assess the region and identify the cause.

1. Friction on clothes

This is the most common cause of pain or itchiness in the nipple that usually arises when exercising such as running or jumping, as rapid movements can cause the shirt to graze the nipple repeatedly, irritating the skin and causing a painful or itchy sensation. In some cases, it may even cause a small wound to appear.

However, this problem can also happen in women who wear ill-fitting bras or people who wear synthetic material, for example.

What to do: it is recommended to avoid using the material that caused the irritation, in the case of exercise, put a piece of adhesive on the nipple to prevent it from rubbing against clothing. If there is a wound, you should wash the area and do the appropriate treatment, which can be done with a healing ointment.

2. Allergy

Nipples are one of the most sensitive regions of the body and, therefore, they can easily respond to small changes, whether in room temperature, in the type of soap used in the bath or even the type of clothing used. In these cases, it is more common to experience itching, but redness, peeling skin and even a small swelling may also appear.

What to do: To assess if it is an allergy, wash the area with warm water and neutral pH soap and avoid wearing the clothes you were using. If the symptoms persist, it may be a sign of another problem and, therefore, it is important to consult the dermatologist. Check out how to identify a skin allergy.

3. Eczema

In cases of eczema, the itchy nipple is usually very intense and persistent, and may also be accompanied by the appearance of small pellets on the skin, redness and dry skin. Eczema can appear at any age and there is no specific cause, which can happen due to prolonged contact with water, very dry skin or stress, for example.

What to do: Corticoid ointments are usually used to relieve symptoms, such as hydrocortisone, which should be prescribed by a dermatologist. However, applying chamomile compresses can also help to soothe irritated skin. Here's how to make this and other home remedies.

4. Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes are the most frequent reason for the appearance of severe nipple pain, especially when touching the site. This is because the hormones can cause a slight swelling of the mammary glands making them more sensitive.

Although this type of changes is more common in women, due to the menstrual cycle, it can also happen in men, especially during adolescence, when many changes in hormone production occur.

What to do: You should avoid touching the area and you can also apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling, however, the pain will disappear on its own after a few days, when the hormone levels are balanced. If this does not happen after 1 week and in association with other symptoms, consult a dermatologist or a pediatrician, in the case of adolescents.

5. Infection

The infection can arise whenever there is a change in the skin around the nipple and, therefore, it is more frequent in people with very dry skin or women who are breastfeeding, due to the presence of small wounds that allow the entry of bacteria, viruses or fungi.

In these cases, it is more frequent to feel itchy nipple, but there may also be a feeling of warmth in the area, redness and swelling.

What to do: you usually need to apply an antibacterial or antifungal ointment prescribed by the doctor, according to the microorganism that is causing the infection. However, while waiting for the consultation it is important to keep the area clean and dry, being a good option to keep the nipples in the air for the maximum time.

6. Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period in a woman's life in which the body undergoes different changes, one of which is breast growth. When this happens, the skin needs to stretch, so some women may experience a slight itch in the nipple area.

What to do: The best way to prepare the skin for pregnancy changes, and to avoid stretch marks, is to hydrate the skin well. For this it is recommended to use a cream for very dry skin.

7. Cracks

Cracked nipples are another very common problem in women, which arises during breastfeeding and which can cause itching that develops into pain. In some cases, the cracks can be so severe that the nipples can even bleed.

What to do: pass a few drops of milk, after breastfeeding, on the nipple and let it dry naturally, without covering with clothes. Then, a protective ointment can be applied, washing the nipple before feeding the baby. See more tips on what you can do.

8. Paget's disease

Paget's disease can affect the nipples, and when this happens, the main symptom is the appearance of pain and constant itching in the nipple. This disease is a type of cancer of the skin of the nipple and can be a metastasis of breast cancer, so it should be observed by a mastologist as soon as possible.

Other symptoms that may indicate Paget's disease include changes in the shape of the nipple, rough skin or fluid release.

What to do: if there is any suspicion of cancer of the nipple or breast, it is advisable to go immediately to the mastologist and start the appropriate treatment, which is usually done with surgery and associated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the case.