Itchy Nipples Pregnancy
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Itchy Nipples Pregnancy
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Last modified on Thursday 3 June 2021
Itchy nipples are relatively common in pregnancy. Discover some of the common causes of itchy boobs and nipples when you're pregnant, and simple, effective ways to soothe them.
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Morning sickness, exhaustion, cravings for pickled eggs … pregnancy comes with a whole host of wonderful side effects, and itchy nipples can be one of them.
Itching is common in pregnancy and can happen in lots of weird and wonderful parts of your body.
If you find you've got itchy boobs or nipples, here's what could be causing it, what you can do to ease the itch yourself, and when you should see the doctor.
There can be a number of reasons for itchy nipples and boobs in pregnancy. Common causes include:
During pregnancy there are lots of hormonal changes going on in your body, and these raised hormone levels can cause itching. The itching can occur anywhere, including the boobs and nipples.
As your pregnancy progresses, your body changes to accommodate your growing baby.
Your bump, boobs, hips and bum all expand, and as the skin stretches, it often becomes drier, which can cause itching. You may also develop stretch marks , which can feel itchy as they form.
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Pregnancy can trigger eczema in some women and may cause flare-ups in those who already have the condition.
Eczema causes the skin to become dry, itchy and cracked and you may develop scaly or raised patches of inflamed skin. These can look red on lighter skin or darker brown, grey or purple on darker skin. Eczema on your breasts can cause itchy nipples.
Environmental factors such as washing powders, central heating, perfumed products and hot baths can all cause itching.
You may find your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy and you react differently to your usual products – such as the washing powder on your bra or any body lotions you're using – causing your nipples to itch.
A yeast infection such as thrush can cause itchy, painful nipples. Yeast infections can happen at any time and are caused by a fungal infection.
Yeast infections are common if you're breastfeeding, if you have vaginal thrush or have recently taken antibiotics.
If you think you have a yeast infection, speak to your doctor about pregnancy-safe treatments.
While most forms of itching in pregnancy are nothing to worry about, if you suspect you have ICP you should always see a doctor.
ICP is a liver condition that's also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC). It has been linked to an increased risk of premature birth and stillbirth.
ICP can cause itching without a rash. This itching is usually worse at night and most noticeable on your hands and feet, although it can happen anywhere on the body. Other symptoms can include:
ICP symptoms usually start in the third trimester – at around 30 weeks – but may come on as early as eight weeks.
It's certainly possible. Changes to your breasts are a common sign of early pregnancy.
According to the NHS , in early pregnancy your boobs might get bigger and feel tender, a bit like they do before your period. They can also tingle and your nipples can darken and stand out.
There are a number of things you can do to help relieve the irritation of itchy nipples. These include:
While itchy nipples in pregnancy are usually nothing to worry about, you should mention any itching to your midwife or GP. They'll be able to offer advice on soothing the irritation and offer treatment if needed.
If you have severe itching, particularly on your hands and feet, you should never ignore it. It could be the symptom of a condition such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) that needs further medical treatment. Always talk it through with your midwife or doctor.
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So you're handling morning sickness like a champ, and nausea has just about become part of your daily life now.
Suddenly pregnancy's lesser-known first-trimester symptom creeps in and you can't seem to find relief from itchy breasts and nipples. Itchy skin is a common symptom that many women experience during pregnancy, and most of the time it's totally harmless.
We've got some tips and tricks to relieve some of that annoying breast itching, and the signs you need to look out for that signal that you should call your doctor.
Pregnancy can definitely be overwhelming at times, but our guide on how to grow a baby from week one of pregnancy might help. And you might want to check out this piece on whether you can eat goat's cheese whilst pregnant to know what is safe and what isn't during this exciting time.
There are many different reasons that you might be experiencing itchy or sensitive nipples while you're pregnant.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnancy can cause eczema, and one of the main symptoms is itchy and cracked nipples. The skin around your nipples can become dry or even develop small cracks. The itching sensation can be especially intense during the first trimester when hormones are at their peak levels and your breasts are swelling. You might have pregnancy-induced eczema if you can see dry and scaly patches on the skin of your breast, and in different places on your body. This is the most common skin condition you can experience during pregnancy.
The most likely reason your skin is feeling itchy is because of hormonal changes. One of the body's methods of preparing for labor is a significant increase in progesterone production. Progesterone is responsible for increasing the blood flow to both your breasts and uterus. Blood flow increases towards your breasts because it needs to prepare for your milk ducts to expand and grow in size. This increased blood flow can cause swelling and may cause slight skin irritation to occur around the areolas, better known as dry breast skin or nipple eczema.
Therefore you might be experiencing pain or itching is an increase in the amount of blood in your breasts. This causes swelling and an increase in size and is good news as it means that your milk ducts are developing nicely. It's uncomfortable, however, when your nipples become rough and dry due to swelling, which makes them itchy.
As your breasts and body grow, your skin stretches to accommodate the fast weight gain. This can cause stretch marks on your breasts and belly which are often itchy and painful.
Prurigo is an immune system response to the huge changes that your body is going through during pregnancy. It usually looks like little bumps on your skin around your breast area, or other parts of your body, which can be itchy. This condition doesn't have a cure and can last up until you give birth.
If you notice an itchy rash under your breasts, this could be intertrigo, which is caused by the heat, moisture, and friction underneath your growing breasts. This is more likely if you're experiencing hot weather, and can cause the skin to crack and itch.
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) is not only a mouthful to say, is but also a common cause of pregnancy itches. You might notice hives on your skin around your belly and breasts, which doctors actually don't know how to treat. PUPPP should go away naturally as your body changes.
There are many tried and tested ways to provide relief for yourself if your nipples are itchy, or you're experiencing sore nipples in early pregnancy.
First, try to wear loose-fitting clothing, such as a t-shirt, and avoid wearing a bra or other undergarments that rub against your breasts if you can. If your clothing is too tight, it will restrict the blood flow to your nipples and this will intensify the itching and dryness.
Applying cool compresses to your breasts may help relieve itching as well. Just be careful not to let the compress get too cold or wet as this can cause a different set of issues such as frostbite or chill bumps that are equally uncomfortable!
As you sleep at night, make sure you use a light blanket to keep the air around your breasts from getting too cold.
Ditch the over-the-counter medications. There are several over-the-counter medications that are often used to treat nipple eczema but the first thing you need to do is consult a doctor as these medications have not been approved for use in pregnant women. If you wish to try these medications, ask your doctor about safer alternatives such as nipple cream.
Apply synthetic lactation ointment around your nipples and also in between your breasts. There are a number of synthetic ointment products available that can be used while pregnant that will relieve the itching sensation on your nipples that makes them itchy and rough.
You can try massaging cocoa butter into your breasts and nipples to make sure your breast skin is moist and to relieve any itching that comes from dryness. Cocoa butter is believed by some people to help prevent stretch marks too, though there's been limited research done.
Putting petroleum jelly on your nipples could also be a good way to relieve the itchy dryness of your nipples. Try to let it dry before putting on a bra.
If you notice that your nipples become itchy and dry during pregnancy, pay attention to any changes in thickness or soreness or changes in color that you notice on the skin. Make sure you also pay attention to the rest of your body, to check for any signs of inflammation or illness. While itchy nipples might not be indicative of a problem with your pregnancy, it is just one symptom that you should keep an eye on.
One of the more dangerous conditions that could be causing itchy breasts and nipples is cholestasis, which is a condition of the liver. You'll typically notice it in the second trimester or third trimester as unbearable itching without any rash. This is a sign that your liver isn't working properly, and you may have to deliver your baby early to avoid complications.
Your itchy nipples could also be a sign of a yeast infection, so it's best to see your doctor to test if this is the case. You can identify a yeast infection by stinging nipple pain and itching, and dry flaky skin around your nipples. You'll probably need prescription medication to get rid of the infection, so make sure you get it checked out if you think something's wrong.
When we think about problems with our breasts, we can often jump to breast cancer as a worst-case scenario. It is very unlikely that your nipple and breast itches are symptoms of breast cancer, but it is a good idea for you to get checked out with your doctor if you are worried at all.
If you found this article helpful, then why not take a look at our discussion of whether you can run while pregnant or find some advice about handling early pregnancy anxiety ?
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In most cases, itching around nipples is not a serious issue but such may make a you quite uncomfortable. It’s never easy to deal with irritation in the breast area especially when you are in a public place.
Most women with itchy nipples tend to assume its breast cancer. Sudden nipple inversion should raise the alarm, so anything else you feel such as a random itch, tingle or drip is most likely nothing to worry about.
Sometimes irritation is as a result of a skin condition. It can also be as a result of pregnancy. There are several reasons why your nipple could be itchy.
There are many causes of skin itching around your nipples. Here are some of the most common causes:
One of the causes of nipple itch is dryness or a dry skin condition called eczema. Eczema varies between individuals, ranging from skin that is dry, scaly, red and itchy in some people, to crusting and bleeding in others.
This skin condition is often caused by a bacterium called staphylococcus aureus, which worsens it and makes it resistant to treatment. However, topical steroids and other prescribed ointments and creams will help relieve the itchy dry nipple.
During pregnancy, itching is often a common occurrence. The primary cause of this during early pregnancy is the stretching skin on the breasts due to the increasing size of the breasts. This happens as the breasts prepare to meet the demand of the baby after birth.
Breast increase in size often leads to a formation of stretch marks as well. Nipple itchiness becomes worse in the third trimester as the breasts become very big by this stage. The sensitivity of the nipples may also increase causing the breasts to become sore even as the hormones build up in the body.
This is a common condition experienced by athletics or those who do heavy exercises and workouts. The nipple often chafes against the clothing during physical activity. The symptoms of the jogger’s nipple include irritation, soreness, redness of the skin and excessive dryness.
If proper moisturizing is not done, the nipples might crack and bleed. Consider using a petroleum jelly on the nipple or a surgical tape to prevent frictional harm during your workouts.
This is a rare type of breast cancer, affecting one or two women out of every 100 with breast cancer. It presents with eczema-like symptoms and appears as a red rash on the nipple or the surrounding areolar. It is sometimes combined with an itchy or burning sensation.
There may be bleeding and discharge from the nipple. The symptoms are sometimes not conclusive proof of Paget’s disease and can be confused with eczema. It is therefore important to seek medical advice.
Mastitis is the infection of the breast tissue that results in swelling and redness. It may lead to an abscess when not treated. Mastitis is common with breastfeeding women, simply occurring when the bacteria from the baby’s mouth get into the breast.
Mastitis can also occur when the milk-carrying ducts become blocked. Milk then builds up within the breast tissue and may result in infection. If not treated, it might lead to the formation of breast abscess.
An abscess is a localized collection of pus within the breast tissue. Severe cases of mastitis can be fatal when not treated promptly. Symptoms include:
Is it normal to have your breast and nipples itchy before your period? This is one of the most common premenstrual symptoms occurring 1 to 2 weeks before your period starts. Usually, at this time the hormones are fluctuating and leading to several changes in the body.
The symptom usually clears on its own after you start bleeding. Having nipple itchy after menstruation is not normal. It might be a sign of a serious underlying problem. It is advisable that you seek medical attention.
Pregnancy comes with both physical and hormonal changes to the body. Can itchy nipple be an early sign of pregnancy? Tender or itchiness in the breast is expected a week after implantation has taken place.
Hormonal changes are intense in the first trimester and also as the woman adds weight in pregnancy, the accumulation of fat in the breast may also be a cause.
During the first and second trimester, there is a lot of milk-formation producing cells and milk ducts, a second reason why you are experiencing persistent nipple itch.
If you experience sore nipples and not pregnant, chances are you are ovulating. During the egg release from the ovary, the pregnancy hormones increase in levels in preparation for implantation.
Other causes of nipple soreness after a negative pregnancy test could be a sign of underlying health problem. In such an instance you should visit your doctor for detailed examinations.
Majority of the women feed their infants through breastfeeding. There are so many good benefits of breast milk compared to formulas. Thus it becomes hectic when one cannot breastfeed their baby due to the pain and itchiness in the breast.
The main cause of itching during breastfeeding is yeast infection caused by the baby’s oral thrush. To diagnose a yeast infection on the nipple, check your baby for white coating in the mouth and tongue. You can also look for white raised bumps inside the mouth.
A thrush infection is caused by a fungus called candida albican. The infection is more common in children than adults. Your pediatrician may prescribe anti-fungal medications for your baby. To reduce your pain and inflammation, medications may also be prescribed.
Itching could be a sign of a rare breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer. In this type of cancer, the skin that covers the tumors becomes red and inflamed, painful and itchy. When the causes of breast itchiness are breast cancer, the signs include the following:
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