Itchy Nipple Breast Cancer
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Itchy Nipple Breast Cancer
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Home About cancer Breast cancer Breast cancer symptoms Can itching be a sign of breast cancer?
If you have a patch of itching skin, it is more likely to be eczema or some other type of skin condition. But it is important to get anything that is not normal for you checked out by your GP as soon as possible.
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Inflammatory breast cancer
Paget's disease
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Itchiness of the breast is not usually due to cancer. It is usually due to other conditions that can affect the breast such as eczema or mastitis (inflammation of the breast).
There is a condition that affects the nipple called Paget's Disease that can cause itching.
This condition develops in the nipple or the darker area of skin around it (the areola). It usually first appears as a red, scaly rash of the skin that may look like eczema. There might also be some discharge or bleeding from the nipple.
With Paget’s disease there might be breast cancer in the tissues behind the nipple. Or there might be carcinoma in situ. This means that there are cancer cells but they are completely contained within the lining of the breast ducts. It is possible for someone to have Paget’s of the breast with no underlying cancer but this is less common.
There is a type of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer that can cause skin changes on your breast. With this type of cancer, the breast or part of the breast can become red, inflamed, painful and swollen.
Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and treatment
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2009 (updated March 2017)
Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, June 2015, (updated: July 2017)
Practical consensus recommendations for Paget's disease in breast cancer
A. Gaurav and others
South Asian Journal of Cancer, 2018. Volume 7, Issue 2, Pages 83–86.
Benign disorders and diseases of the breast
Hughes, Mansel, Webster
Saunders, 2009
We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help.
Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thickening in the breast. Find out more about this and other possible symptoms and when you should see your GP.
This is a rare type of breast cancer. The breast might look swollen and red (inflamed) and may feel warm.
Paget's disease is a rare skin condition of the nipple that is associated with some breast cancers. Find out what it is and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Find out about screening, seeing your GP and the tests you might have for breast cancer or other breast conditions.
Read about the different types of breast cancer, including breast cancer in men, and conditions related to breast cancer.
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Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate.
Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .
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Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Verywell Health is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
Adam M. Brufsky, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh who has specialized in breast cancer medical oncology for over 20 years.
It is common for girls and women to experience itchy breasts once in a while. While itchy breasts are most often due to relatively harmless causes such as dry skin or mastitis, it is important to be aware of the most serious causes, which are inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and Paget's disease—two uncommon forms of breast cancer.
Symptoms of causes on both ends of this spectrum differ, which is helpful in terms of coming to a diagnosis. Still, remember that even less worrisome conditions deserve attention as preventative approaches or medical treatments may help reduce the itchy sensation and prevent complications.
While cancer is a possible cause of itchy breasts, it is not the cause in most cases. There are many possibilities your healthcare provider may consider first. That said, itchy breasts can be a sign of a health problem, can result in persistent discomfort, and can be effectively treated.
Some of the most common causes of itchy breasts include:
Mastitis is a breast infection that most commonly affects women who are breastfeeding, but women who are not nursing can develop it as well. It may cause a fever, breast pain, redness, warmth, and itching. You may also have a generalized feeling of being sick if you have mastitis. 1
It is treated with antibiotics, and if your symptoms do not begin to improve within a week, further tests may be done to look for a different cause.
Dry skin is very common and can occur if you are dehydrated, as a result of cold weather, or if you just have a tendency to have dry skin. Usually, when dry skin causes itchy breasts, the skin in several regions of the body is dry or itchy .
Dermatitis is a rash due to inflammation of the skin. It can be triggered by an allergic reaction to something that your skin has been exposed to or it may occur without a trigger. Common culprits include new clothes, detergents, perfumes, lotions, and shampoos.
You may be able to prevent dermatitis by using products made for sensitive skin, which usually do not contain irritants such as perfume or dye. Although it's not common, the nickel in the underwire of bras can cause an allergic reaction for some women.
Atopic dermatitis, which is also known as eczema , is a type of dermatitis that usually occurs without a trigger. It is often associated with asthma or hay fever. 2
The skin underneath and on the sides of the breasts can become moist, allowing an overgrowth of yeast that can cause itching.
You might find relief with over-the-counter antifungal creams, or your healthcare provider can prescribe a prescription-strength antifungal medication.
To prevent yeast growth under the breasts, it helps to wear bras that are made of a breathable fabric, like cotton. Wearing a comfortable and supportive bra, even during sleep, can prevent skin folds from trapping sweat and moisture.
After showering, make sure that the area under your breasts is completely dry before putting on a bra. If you work out, be sure to select an athletic bra that's made of fabric that keeps sweat and moisture away from the skin, and change promptly after your session.
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes flaking scales on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, including the breasts, although the breasts are not the most common location of the skin lesions. Psoriasis can be treated with phototherapy or topical medications. 3
A heat rash can occur as the result of extreme heat exposure, very heavy or tight clothes, and sweating. Some people can develop a heat rash that affects the whole body, and it may resolve on its own, or it can be treated with drying powders.
Hormonal changes that cause breasts to become larger, such as puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weaning, can all cause painful or itchy breasts. Generally, this problem lasts for several days or several weeks, and should not be associated with a rash or discoloration of the breasts.
If you have had recent breast surgery, itching can be a normal part of your recovery. Breast augmentation surgery , especially, can cause itchiness. The skin of the breast stretches to accommodate the implant, resulting in this symptom.
Most women find that the itching goes away within a few months after surgery. If itchiness is persistent and intolerable, you should consult your surgeon or your primary care provider.
Lumps aren't the only potential symptoms of breast cancer. Itchiness, as well as other skin changes, can signal two specific types of breast cancer— inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and Paget's disease .
IBC accounts for 1 percent to 5 percent of cases of breast cancer in the United States; it can spread rapidly and often isn't recognized until it reaches an advanced stage. 4 The symptoms of Paget's disease, which is responsible for 1 percent to 4 percent of breast cancer cases, are easily confused with eczema or skin irritation. 5
If you develop breast itching that lasts for longer than a few weeks and is accompanied by any of the symptoms of IBC or Paget's symptoms that follow, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Swelling, thickening, or sudden growth not related to puberty or weight gain
One breast feels harder than the other
Swelling in armpit (may indicate metastases to lymph nodes)
Red, thick, or crusted lesion on the nipple that resembles eczema
Pain and/or tingling in the nipple or areola
Nipple changes or deformities, such as retraction or inversion
Yellow or bloody discharge from nipples
Pregnancy-induced eczema is the most common reason for itchiness of the breasts and other body parts during pregnancy . Up to 80% of women who experience eczema while expecting had no symptoms before becoming pregnant. 6 You should be able to treat the itching with emollient-rich moisturizers .
Itching or pain often occurs in the first weeks of nursing as your body gets used to the baby’s sucking and the milk leakage. If these symptoms return later, it may be a sign of thrush , a yeast infection that occurs on your nipples. Your baby may also show signs of thrush, which can appear as white patches inside the mouth. You and your baby would need to be treated to ensure the infection doesn’t recur.
Having itchy breasts, even if due to a harmless cause, is a good reminder to see if you are up-to-date on early detection strategies such mammograms , and to practice lifestyle measures that may reduce your risk of developing breast cancer in the future, such as quitting smoking.
While itchy breasts certainly do not mean that you have breast cancer, it is important to see your healthcare provider for a proper evaluation. Uncommon types of breast cancer such as inflammatory breast cancer and Paget's disease may have itching as a symptom, though oftentimes there are additional symptoms present as well.
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Laas E, Touboul C, Kerdraon O, Catteau-jonard S. [Inflammatory and infectious breast mastitis outside of pregnancy and lactation: Guidelines] . J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris) . 2015;44(10):996-1016. doi:10.1016/j.jgyn.2015.09.055
National Institute of Health. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) .
National Institutes of Health. Psoriasis Types.
National Cancer Institute. Inflammatory Breast Cancer .
National Cancer Institute. Paget’s Disease of the Breast .
Weatherhead S, Robson SC, Reynolds NJ. Eczema in pregnancy . BMJ . 2007;335(7611):152-154. doi: 10.1136%2Fbmj.39227.671227.AE
Kontoes P, Gounnaris G. Complications of Fat Transfer for Breast Augmentation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2017 Oct;41(5):1078-1082. doi: 10.1007/s00266-017-0911-2. Epub 2017 Jun 22.
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