Any itch on a skin can be one of the most irritating things that can happen to a person. This itching becomes even more irritating, if it occurs in a body part, which is usually hidden from sight and difficult to reach to in public place. Or if that part of the body is inappropriate to itch in social situations, if you know what we mean.
Nipple itching is probably the most uncomfortable and irritating of all kinds of itching that could occur to a person. Itching is uncomfortable in any way, but nipple itching it the most uncomfortable of the lot, because it is not possible to treat it in the immediate way, when one is outside, that is, but giving in to the demonic urge to slightly scratch that affected area.
We would strongly recommend you not to give in to this demonic urge, because scratching any affected area only increases the problem, instead of solving it. In this article, we will talk about the causes behind this itching, the symptoms of this; so that you can decide which kind of treatment is best for your itching and ways to prevent this type of uncomfortable itching.
Nipple Itching: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention
Causes
More often than not, one of the prime reasons behind any kind of itching is poor hygiene. If you don’t like washing your clothes, particularly your undergarments, you are more likely to end up with nipple itching. Therefore, it is extremely important to wear clean clothes every day, because the bacteria found in dirty clothes can mix with your sweat and infect and irritate your skin. Sunburn could be another cause. Your nipples are more sensitive compared to other parts of your body, so they are more susceptible to sunburn or any kind of skin irritation. You can also see if the lotions and creams that you use truly suit your skin or not, because in many cases, nipple itching is a side effect of using the wrong skin lotion. Itchy nipples could also be a sign of yeast infection, so maybe this infection is the culprit behind it. Then again, in some rare cases, itchy nipples can be caused by eczema or any other skin disease or even cancer. So, it is very important to not leave this untreated.
Symptoms
The symptoms of nipple itching aren’t too many in number and are pretty visible to the naked eye. The skin around the nipples becomes dry and flaky, and you have the demonic urge to itch it several times throughout the day. In severe cases, that may result in bleeding. So it is highly advisable to avoid itching as much as possible and go for the treatment right way.
Treatment
If it is harmless nipple itching, then there are several home remedies for treating it. You can refer to them for treating this problem. However, if the itching is a sign of something serious, then you need to go for the treatment of that disease. Treatments for itchy breast or nipple depend upon the cause. Most symptoms should resolve with over-the-counter treatments, including adopting a skin care routine that includes washing your skin with a mild soap and lukewarm water. A skin cream that does not contain perfumes or dyes may ease the symptoms and help in accelerating the healing process. Topical applications of corticosteroids may also reduce inflammation. Avoiding allergenic substances can also put a stop to your itching.
Prevention
Maintaining proper hygiene is one of the foremost ways to prevent nipple itching. Try not to wear dirty clothes. Make it a point to wash your clothes, particularly your bras and other innerwear daily. Also, if you have sensitive skin, avoid exposing your skin to sun, wind and other environmental factors for too long. Try to stay away from pollution as much as possible. More often than not, the water that you use for bathing also affects your skin and hair in many ways, so try to avoid water with high iron content. Don’t follow beauty trends blindly and apply any lotion over your nipples. Get your skin tested and apply only dermatologist approved creams and lotions and other beauty products for your skin. Breastfeeding mothers tend to have itchy nipples, compared to other women. So, if you are a lactating mother, make sure to not let your child suck long after he has finished drinking. Also, you can alternatively feed your child from the bottle and apply some nipple butter on your brazed and swollen nipples. Keeping these things in mind; it is not too difficult to get rid of itchy nipples.