What causes itchy nipples?

The nipple is an important part of the female breast, and the health of the nipple has a great impact on the physical health of women. The color and characteristics of the nipples can often reflect the condition of the body. Some women experience itchy nipples in their daily lives. This is related to nipple allergies. It may be due to eczema, or it may be due to the developmental period. In addition, they do not pay attention to the cleaning and care of the nipples. So what should we do?

Disease 1: Eczema

Eczema is the most common cause of breast itching and can occur in people of all ages. People with a history of allergies or a family history of allergies are more likely to develop eczema.

Causes: dry skin, prolonged bathing time, dyes and fragrances in skin care products, detergents, environmental allergens such as wool and foam, and stress. It is usually diagnosed by physical examination and medical history.

Treatment: Most treatments are local, such as steroid creams. In addition, experts suggest that patient self-care and protection are also very important for alleviating eczema. Most importantly, avoid known allergy triggers. Try to keep your skin naturally moisturized. Try to use less soap and avoid long hot baths.

Disease 2: Paget's disease

Paget's disease is a rare form of breast cancer that causes hypopigmented spots on the nipple and areola that appear as a reticular pattern. This is the most worrisome cause of nipple itching. The initial symptoms are itching or burning of the nipple and areola, accompanied by the appearance of crusty skin. There was no improvement after medical treatment. Yellow or bloody discharge may also appear at the lesion site.

Diagnosis: This disease only affects one side, and most patients are between 50 and 60 years old. The diagnosis is confirmed by clinical breast examination, patient history, mammogram, and ultrasound. If doubt remains, an MRI scan can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Therefore, do not think that nipples are women's private parts and ignore nipple itching diseases. Itchy nipples are very dangerous, so be careful of two major diseases. Women should be on guard as early as possible.

★Five situations where female friends should pay attention to nipple itching

The quality of breast care is related to a woman's beauty and charm, but you should know that there are many little health secrets about the breasts. If you feel unwell, you should go to the hospital for examination in time to avoid causing more harm to yourself.

1. Adolescent women

The breasts begin to develop rapidly, and of course the nipples must also grow quickly. At this time, attention must be paid to local hygiene. Due to rapid development, secretions increase, providing conditions for the growth of various bacteria. If you do not pay attention to local hygiene and use poor quality shower gels, soaps and bra fabrics, etc., it may cause dryness and peeling, resulting in unbearable nipple itching.

2. Itchy nipples in late pregnancy

This is a normal reaction to pregnancy. As time goes by, the milk foam and nipples will swell. You should rub them frequently with a hot towel to remove the white stuff. This is a very normal phenomenon.

3. Women with full breasts

Due to the material of underwear or exercise, the nipple area may sometimes be rubbed and cause eczema. It is a common skin disease that is more common in lactating women but can also occur in young girls. The patient's nipples, areolas and all around them are covered with needle-sized papules and blisters. The condition is clear, often accompanied by exudation and erosion. This reaction may be related to genetics, and fatigue and mental factors may also be triggers. To treat this disease, suspected allergic factors should be eliminated, and foreign proteins such as fish and shrimp and irritating foods such as alcohol and peppers should not be eaten; avoid strong scratching and hot water washing, keep the local area clean; do not wear bras made of chemical fiber fabrics, and apply corticosteroid ointment under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Eczema - the most common cause of breast itching

It occurs in people of all ages. People with a history of allergies or a family history of allergies are more likely to develop eczema. Environmental triggers of eczema include dry skin, prolonged bathing, dyes and fragrances in skin care products, detergents, environmental allergens such as wool and foam, and stress. It is usually diagnosed by physical examination and medical history. Most treatments are topical, such as steroid creams. In addition, experts suggest that patient self-care and protection are also very important for alleviating eczema. Most importantly, avoid known allergy triggers. Try to keep your skin naturally moisturized. Try to use less soap and avoid long hot baths.

In addition, there is a rare disease called Paget's disease, which can also cause eczema-like symptoms around the nipples and areola. Patients will experience itching, tingling and burning sensations on the skin, sometimes dark red, bloody discharge, or painless lumps.

Although Paget's disease is rare, its symptoms are very similar to those of common eczema. Therefore, women usually do not pay much attention to it. Instead, it is easy to be ignored and delay early treatment. Therefore, if you have itchy nipples and areolas with discharge, or combined with painless lumps, for peace of mind, it is recommended that you go to a general surgeon or breast surgeon for further examination to confirm the condition.

5. Paget's disease - a rare breast cancer

Hypopigmented spots appear on the nipple and areola, forming a reticular pattern. This is the most worrisome cause of nipple itching. The initial symptoms are itching or burning of the nipple and areola, accompanied by the appearance of crusty skin. There was no improvement after medical treatment. Yellow or bloody discharge may also appear at the lesion site. This disease only affects one side, and most patients are between 50 and 60 years old. The diagnosis is confirmed by clinical breast examination, patient history, mammogram, and ultrasound. If doubt remains, an MRI scan can be done to confirm the diagnosis.

In life, we should pay attention to:

1. Adequate nutrition to keep breast muscles strong and fat full.

2. Walk and sit upright, and maintain a graceful posture, especially not lowering your chest. You should hold your chest up, raise your head, tighten your abdomen, and straighten your knees.

3. Wear a bra that fits your breast size. It is not advisable to choose chemical fiber products. It is advisable to choose soft and breathable cotton products. Also, you should take off your bra before going to bed to avoid excessive pressure on the nipples and breasts, causing itching.

4. Avoid accidental injuries. It should be noted that the skin of the breast is very delicate. When you feel itchy, do not scratch it hard with your hands.

5. Clean your breasts frequently, especially the nipple and areola. It is not advisable to use soap or soap frequently. You can use warm water to clean your breasts at ordinary times. This can stimulate blood circulation in the breasts and help enhance the elasticity of the breast skin and tissues.

6. Perform regular self-examination of your breasts, visit your doctor for regular physical examinations of your breasts, and take regular breast X-rays if necessary.

★ Nipple itching should be alert to eczematous breast cancer

There are many types of breast cancer, and the early manifestations of different types of breast cancer are also different. Ms. Wang recently developed itching and rashes on her nipples and areola, which looked like eczema. In this regard, experts say that this symptom looks like eczema, but it may be a special cancer - nipple eczema-like breast cancer.

Of course, eczema-like changes in the nipple and areola are not necessarily cancer; some of them are simply eczema. However, if eczematous changes occur in the nipple and areola on one side and do not heal for a long time, there is a high possibility of eczematous breast cancer.

The main symptoms are: initial itching or mild burning of the nipple, followed by redness of the nipple and areola skin, mild erosion, often with yellow-brown or gray scaly crusts attached to the surface, the skin in the affected area is rough, thickened and hard, with clear boundaries from the surrounding area, and the nipple on the affected side may later become sunken or eroded, or a hard lump may be felt in the breast.

For nipple and areola skin lesions that have not responded to treatment for more than 2 weeks, a biopsy should be considered to confirm the diagnosis. If a lump has formed in the breast, radical mastectomy must be performed.

Cancer, this possibility is very small, no need to worry too much