Why does breast skin itch during lactation?

The skin of the breast is very delicate and can be easily infected if not handled with care. Especially for breastfeeding women, their body resistance is relatively weak and they are easily affected by colds. Therefore, itchy breasts are also common. Itchy breast skin may be caused by eczema. The cause of eczema may be caused by wet underwear caused by breast milk, or it may be a symptom of skin allergic reaction. So what is the reason for itchy breast skin during lactation?

What causes itchy breasts during lactation?

1. Breast eczema

Breast itching during lactation may be caused by breast eczema. The main reason is milk leakage during breastfeeding. Excessive milk causes the underwear underneath to become damp, which will lead to eczema over time. Wash it with warm water every day, dry it after washing, and apply some eczema cream, which may help.

2. Breast hyperplasia

Breast itching during lactation may be due to the fact that as the amount of milk increases after delivery, the mammary ducts will swell and the surrounding skin will break. In order to adapt to the needs of breastfeeding, the breast hyperplasia causes the skin of the breast to be stretched, resulting in the so-called stretch marks on the breast, causing itching symptoms.

3. Allergic reaction

Breast itching during lactation is considered to be caused by an allergic reaction. The main reason is that the breast skin is not adapted to the baby's milk sucking and milk stagnation, which is similar to an allergic reaction.

What to do if your breasts itch during lactation

1. Drink plenty of water every day

Itchy skin means it needs water or moisture to moisturize. When the dermis (inner layer of skin) becomes dehydrated, it starts to itch. To get rid of this condition, all you need to do is drink plenty of water. Try to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. You can also eat water-rich fruits to avoid dehydration. Some fruits contain a lot of fructose, just make sure you don’t eat fruits that are high in sugar so that your blood sugar levels don’t go high.

2. Wear loose, smooth cotton clothes

This type of clothing can help avoid further irritation of breast itching symptoms. Loose, smooth, cotton clothing will reduce friction against the breasts. Breast itching will become worse if you don't wear a bra.