Itchy Nipple.....cause for concern??

[naughtoj]

Ok...WOMEN ONLY PLEASE}(

For the last few weeks or so I have had one itchy nipple. My right breast. When I look close at it there appears to be no rash, no deformities of any kind. It wakes me up at night sometimes so itchy it is hard not to scratch it (like a mosquito bite). There are also periods of time during the day where it seems like I can't stop itching it too. I have tried putting lotion on but the other nipple doesn't have the same problem. When I run my fingers over the nipple area, that nipple seems so much more sensitive than the other.?? I don't think it is only at certain times of the month either (not only during PMS, etc)

I searched on the internet but other than rash and pregnancy I found nothing. Wondering if this is something you would see your gyno about?? No hx of breast CA in my family. I am hoping Autumn will jump in here and help. Anyone????

Thanks!

 

[naughtoj]

Ok, I found this:

Itchy, scaly nipples
If your nipples are itchy, scaly and cracked, you probably have eczema. The itching can make this an embarrassing condition. It occurs mainly in women in their late teens, and usually affects both nipples. It may be only on the nipple, or may affect the flatter area surrounding the nipple (the areola). A steroid cream from your doctor will deal with it. Your doctor will check that it is not scabies, which can cause a similar appearance.

‘Jogger’s nipple’ is another possibility. This is caused by friction from clothing, especially during long-distance running. Protect your nipples with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or surgical tape (Micropore, from pharmacies) before exercising. A silk running vest is less abrasive than synthetic fibres.

Very rarely, eczema of a nipple can signal a cancerous growth beneath. This is uncommon, but it is why you should see your doctor if you have eczema on only one nipple. It occurs mainly in middle-aged or elderly women. It is not usually itchy, but there may be a pricking or burning feeling.


Soooo....maybe I should get some steroid cream first, just in case, and see if it goes away? Would that be hydrocortisone, the normal kind you buy at Walgreens???

 

[hopefull]

You know I wouldn't mess around with advice from this forum for this issue. I would head directly for the doctor. Especially if it's not getting better and it's been going on for a while.

 

[ejostling]

Could be a yeast infection. Sweaty bras from working out, nice dark moist area. Couldn't hurt to see your Dr. I used to get yeast infections under my breasts during my pregnancies. My breasts were so large they rested on top of my belly and were always "moist". (pregnancy made me very warm!). Good luck!

Sally

 

[Fach]

If you have had breast augmentation then it could be nerve damage. I read about that somewhere. They call it phantom itching.

 

[lesliew]

It's probably nothing but a skin irritation, but if you haven't had a recent mammogram you should see your doctor and get one.

 

[DianneGallagher]

The only reason I'm responding to this is because my sister had this issue for years. Not saying this is your problem, of course, but she didn't know about it either. They finally discovered she had Graves disease and this is one of the side effects. I know it sounds weird, but it's true. Unfortunately, these things are usually overlooked until something has been diagnosed then it's like , "Ah ha! We should have looked there before."

Just a thought.

My son suffered for years with Krohn's disease. Unfortunately for him and the rest of us who had to watch him suffer - they just thought it was irritable bowel or he was lactose intolerant. It wasn't until he was down to 72 pounds and we almost lost him that they did blood work and found this out. They never look any deeper into things until it's really cause for concern...in their eyes!!

Doctor's make me very angry at times, but they are a necessary evil.