lennemagdalene

· 20 Dec 2021

Follow Following

Why Are My Breasts So Itchy?

Itching breasts may seem like an embarrassing problem, but many people go through it in their lives. Many factors contribute to itchy breasts and nipples, which can range from simple itching to the most chronic breast cancer. It can be also be provoked by various medical conditions like eczema, yeast infection, and psoriasis. In most cases, the rash usually accompanies an itchy breast. However, there are cases where the itching does not show any sign of rashes and therefore, it requires a further evaluation. Anytime a woman experiences breasts itching, doctors advise immediate medical attention because it could be an early sign of inflammatory breast cancer. People are advised to see a doctor when they experience signs such as bloody, yellow, or brown drainage from the itching breast, painful breasts, inverted nipples, thickened breast tissue, and skin changes that make your breast look like an orange.

What Causes Itchiness of Breasts?

Infections like:

Yeast Infection. The most common yeast infection is candidiasis. In the area surrounding your breasts, there are usually a variety of fungi that can cause infections. They are found in this area because it is warm and moist, and this creates a conducive environment for the pathogens to thrive. The fungal infection makes the breasts appear red, itchy, and highly irritated.

Psoriasis. This is a skin condition that makes the beast itchy, red, and dry. On observing, you will notice some patches of dry dead skin because of uncontrolled skin cell growth. Psoriasis affects and underparts of the breasts.

Eczema. This is also called atopic dermatitis. It is the inflammation of the dermal part of the skin. It results in an itchy red rash around the breast. This rash can also appear on other parts of the skin. Eczema happens when the skin loses its ability to hold on to moisture and the good bacteria that help protect it from harmful bacteria and other irritants.


Heat Rash. This condition is also called miliaria, or prickly heat. It happens when there is a blockage of sweat glands, resulting in leakage of eccrine sweat into the epidermis or dermis. It happens mostly when there is an increase in heat and humidity. Heat and sweating under the breasts can cause reddening, prickling, and itching of the area of skin around this region. The rash does not last for long and using cold clothes to cool the area can ease the rash, making it disappear within a day.

Dryness of the skin. Most often, we are taught that moisturizing our skins is very critical in maintaining their function and integrity. Therefore, you are told that after every shower, apply some lotion on the skin to avoid some skin dryness. Dry skin is very common, and it happens without a known cause. There are other reported cases where skin dryness happens because of harsh skin products that do not match your skin type. Exposing your breasts to the sun for long periods also causes dryness, which then gives you pain and discomfort. The dry skin will always appear flaky or scaly. Using moisturizers and sunscreens can help you restore a normal breast appearance. Doctors sometimes advise people to put these creams in the fridge before applying. This helps cool the area first, which then reduces pain.


Allergies. Each person has a unique skin type. Having different skin types means that skin products also differ from person to person. What works for one person may induce an allergic reaction to other people and vice versa. Skin can sometimes be irritated by products like soaps, laundry detergents, perfumes, deodorants, cosmetics, etc. To know that you have an allergic reaction to some products, you will notice a rash or redness that goes away on its own. To avoid this, buy products you are sure won’t harm your skin. If you have highly sensitive skin, a doctor can prescribe medicated products for you as well.

Breast Growth. Breasts grow in size as human beings continue to mature, particularly in women. However, other causes can cause a sudden breast size increase, for instance, pregnancy, weight gain, and even cancers. Because the increase in size requires the skin to stretch, it can therefore cause itching and pain as the skin tries to adjust. Itching happens in or around the breast and it can go on for some time. If you are going through puberty or have added a significant amount of weight, it means that your chest size will increase. Being pregnant, hormones like estrogen and progesterone cause the breasts to swell to prepare for breastfeeding. So, if it’s puberty or pregnancy after some time the itchiness will stop. If you have itchy breasts due to weight gain, working out can help you, or otherwise, the breasts will continue growing as you add more weight.

What is the Treatment for Itchy Breasts?

If your breasts are itching but do not have a rash, it means that an allergic reaction, dry skin, or growth is causing the problem. All these causes are 100% treatable at home without going to the hospital. The following tips can help you get rid of itchiness of the breasts:

Use Topical Creams. You can gain simple anti-itch cream or gel to your breasts. The ones found over the counter usually contain a local anesthetic known as pramoxine, which works by suppressing the itch, hence reducing discomforts. You can also find others containing hydrocortisone, which reduces inflammation.

Maintain Proper Hygiene. Sometimes breasts can be itchy because of the products we use on our skins. Also, being dirty can cause dryness and itchiness as well.

Use a mild soap that does not irritate the skin. Also, dry the skin after the shower to prevent the collection of moisture, which causes itchiness. Also, moisturize the skin using a fragrance-free moisturizer. Finally, use skin products that fit your skin to avoid allergic reactions.

Use Antihistamines. If you have itchy skin because of a product you used, then that must be an allergic reaction. The use of over-the-counter antihistamines can help relieve itchiness and pain. For more tips on the causes of itchy breasts and treatment, kindly consider the following websites:
https://www.self.com/story/causes-of-itchy-boobs 
https://www.healthline.com/health/itchy-breast-or-nipple#takeaway

The Bottom Line

Breast itching has many causes, including growing breasts because of puberty and weight gain. This can happen also because of other medical conditions like cancer and mastitis. The best thing is that most cases of breast itching are never serious and can be treated at home successfully. Moisturizing the skin, maintaining proper hygiene, and applying topical creams can help relieve the itchiness. However, if this does not reduce after a while, it is important to see a doctor for further evaluation. Also, if itchiness is characterized by other symptoms like oozing of blood or pus, inflammation, and lumps, proper medical attention can be helpful.
#itchybreasts #itchynipples #painfulbreasts #painfulnipples #pain #breastdischarge