My Nipples Are Itchy

My Nipples Are Itchy
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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA and Crystal Raypole — Updated on December 17, 2021
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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA and Crystal Raypole — Updated on December 17, 2021
Medically reviewed by Michael Weber, MD
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Your nipples, and the surrounding skin of your chest, can itch for plenty of reasons.
This itching might seem more intense at certain times:
Occasional itching usually isn’t anything to feel concerned about, especially if you don’t notice any inflamed or peeling skin. Just as other parts of your body might feel itchy from time to time, your nipples can get itchy, too — especially if you have dry skin or a sensitivity to a certain chemical.
Persistent nipple itching, on the other hand, might have a more serious cause, such as eczema, yeast infection of the breast, or mastitis.
In some rare cases, itchiness in your nipples could be an early sign of breast cancer .
Paget’s disease of the breast , a type of breast cancer that specifically affects the nipple, can cause itchiness, though it often only affects one side of your chest.
People of any sex can develop Paget’s disease, but it typically affects people assigned female at birth.
This type of cancer isn’t common: It’s only responsible for about 1 to 3 percent of breast cancer cases. That said, people with Paget’s disease also often have another type of breast cancer, typically ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma .
Paget’s disease symptoms can mimic atopic dermatitis or eczema symptoms. You might notice:
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s best to connect with a healthcare professional. They can offer guidance on next steps toward getting the right diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment for Paget’s disease and other types of breast cancer include:
It never hurts to reach out to a healthcare professional if you’ve noticed any changes in the texture or typical feeling of your breast, chest, or nipples. Itching, warmth, nipple retraction, and discharge can all be early signs of cancer.
If you’re pregnant, you might wonder whether you should worry about that new and unusual itching in your nipples.
Often, though, it’s just another side effect of pregnancy.
Pregnancy-related changes in hormones like estrogen and progesterone may leave you feeling itchier than usual , for one.
Keep in mind, too, that your breasts typically grow during pregnancy, which means that your skin will stretch. As your skin stretches, you might notice itching, tingling, and burning, particularly in sensitive areas like your nipples and breasts. Your skin may also seem drier, or even flaky.
Other possible causes of itchy nipples during pregnancy include:
Those hormonal changes that lead to itchy nipples in pregnancy? If you have menstrual periods, you’ll experience similar changes as part of your monthly cycle .
Changing hormone levels can leave your skin more sensitive, so you might feel itchier than usual as your period approaches and begins — even if you don’t change anything about your usual routine.
This hormone-related sensitivity, which can include dryness, inflammation, and small bumps or pimples, is also fairly common just before, during, and after menopause .
Your nipples might also itch due to changes in your breast size , which can happen as a natural part of your menstrual cycle. Bras or shirts in your typical size might temporarily become too tight , which can lead to chafing, irritation, and itching.
While you may not be able to prevent this itching entirely, you can get some relief by:
A few other possible causes of itchy nipples include:
You might also notice itchy nipples if you have dermatitis. This umbrella term refers to various types of skin irritation, including eczema.
Both atopic and contact dermatitis can cause itchy nipples.
Atopic dermatitis can cause significant irritation and itching, so you’ll generally want to explore options for managing your symptoms with a clinician.
Treating contact dermatitis might involve:
You might think of yeast infections as a vaginal health concern, but they can also develop in other warm and moist areas of your body, including your breasts.
Key symptoms of breast yeast infections , or breast thrush, include:
You might also have a higher chance of developing breast thrush if you’re currently taking antibiotics .
Rinsing and patting your chest dry after nursing or sweating, especially in warm or humid weather, can help lower your chances of developing breast thrush.
Yeast infections typically require treatment with over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medications . Connecting with your care team can help you get confirmation of a yeast infection before you start using antifungals.
There’s a lot of debate about breast thrush in people who are nursing. Some research suggests this condition is overdiagnosed and that its symptoms may more often relate to nursing itself. If your symptoms don’t improve with antifungal treatment, support from a lactation consultant may be a better option for getting long-term relief.
Mastitis , a breast tissue infection, can also cause breast and nipple itching. This condition, which typically develops when you’re nursing, can happen when a milk duct becomes blocked or you’re exposed to bacteria.
If you have mastitis, a clinician can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. It’s important to take all of the medication as prescribed to help prevent the infection from coming back.
Taking OTC pain relievers, getting plenty of rest, and staying hydrated can also help ease your symptoms.
These tips can help prevent mastitis in the future:
A lactation consultant can offer more guidance and support with common nursing difficulties , including latching problems and pain while nursing .
If itching in your nipples doesn’t go away after a few days or seems to get worse as time goes on, consider making an appointment with a healthcare professional
It’s best to reach out right away if you experience:
Itchy nipples can feel pretty uncomfortable, but it can help to remember that your nipples are pretty sensitive. Usually, mild itching doesn’t pose any serious cause for concern, and home remedies and OTC treatments can generally provide some relief.
A doctor or clinician can help identify the cause of more persistent itching or pain in your nipples or chest, plus offer more guidance on options for treatment.
Last medically reviewed on December 17, 2021

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Most causes are benign (non-cancerous) in nature. Usually, treatment involves home remedies or prescription medication. Nipple itching can be a sign of a rare and serious form of cancer called Paget’s disease of the breast.
Share on Pinterest Itchy nipples may be caused by pregnancy.
Share on Pinterest Itchy nipples may be caused by the rubbing and irritation of clothes.
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At some point in their lives, most men and women will experience itchy nipples. Many factors that can cause the condition, most of which are not cause for concern.
However, some symptoms should not be ignored. Itching nipples can be a sign that something more serious is going on.
This article discusses some of the more common causes, treatment, and prevention of itchy nipples, and when you should see a doctor.
There are many causes, including the following:
Hormonal changes, breast expansion, and increased blood flow may cause a woman to experience itchy nipples during pregnancy. A woman may also experience nipple soreness, tingling, sensitivity, and breast-heaviness.
Commonly, women can treat pregnancy-related nipple itching themselves with:
There is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews if you want to buy cocoa butter or lanolin .
There are several causes of nipple or areola dermatitis. These include eczema and irritation or allergic dermatitis. Certain types of dermatitis can also cause eczema.
Eczema is a common condition in breast-feeding women, especially those who have previously been affected by atopic dermatitis.
Eczema is a skin condition that can affect any part of the body, including the breast.
Some types of eczema may be caused by irritation from friction as a result of running, harsh clothing, water, soaps, and certain detergents.
Some forms of eczema result from an allergic response or contact with products such as non-purified lanolin, chamomile ointment, and perfumes.
Symptoms of areola or nipple eczema may include:
Treatment of nipple or areola eczema includes:
Treatment with antibiotics may be necessary if an infection develops. People must ensure they take the medication as directed.
At times, women may experience a fungal infection of the breast called breast yeast or thrush, which is commonly caused by the fungus, Candida albicans . However, thrush can develop from other unknown causes. It can occur during breastfeeding, in women with vaginal thrush, and during antibiotic use. Thrush can also damage the nipple itself.
Although uncommon, men can experience breast yeast. Symptoms of nipple yeast may include:
During breast-feeding, an infant may develop thrush, experiencing symptoms such as a white coating in their mouth, tongue rash, or a red diaper rash.
Infants who develop thrush may require treatment at the same time as their mother.
Treatment for breast or nipple thrush may include:
Also referred to as runner’s nipple, jogger’s nipple results from the irritation caused by clothing rubbing against the nipple during activities such as running, surfing, or weightlifting.
Other activities that cause chafing in men and women can also cause jogger’s nipple.
Those at the highest risk for developing jogger’s nipple include those who:
Symptoms of jogger’s nipple include:
Treatment for jogger’s nipple and prevention methods may include:
Paget’s disease is a type of cancer found in the skin’s outer layer, which is called the epidermis. However, other breast tumors may also be present in the affected breast. Although Paget’s disease is more common in women, it can affect men.
Those with Paget’s disease may have symptoms other than nipple itching, including:
Depending on the extent of disease present and other factors, those with Paget’s disease may require surgery to remove the nipple, areola, or full breast.
Also, lymph nodes may be removed to see if the cancer has spread. Treatment for Paget’s disease may also consist of chemotherapy or certain hormonal therapies.
It is important to remember that anyone who experiences abnormal symptoms should visit their doctor for proper evaluation and treatment. It is important to do this because if doctors discover a more serious condition, the person can receive treatment immediately.
Last medically reviewed on September 26, 2017

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women's health center / women's health a-z list / slideshows a-z list > why are my nipples itchy possible 12 causes article
Lots of things can make your nipples itchy. They're sensitive in general. They also stick out, and they can get irritated from friction, eczema, breastfeeding, or pregnancy. Rarely, itchy nipples can be a sign of a more serious condition. Even if your urge to scratch is great, the problem is usually easy to treat. If you've been using over-the-counter products for a couple of weeks and the itch isn't gone, check with your doctor.
Cold, dry weather can lead to major itching all over your body, including on the breasts and nipples. If that's the cause, your nipples may look raw or chafed. Keep baths and showers to under 10 minutes. Use lukewarm water, since hot water washes away essential oils and dries out your skin even more. Gently pat your skin with a towel until it's almost dry, and moisturize with a thick cream or ointment. Run a humidifier to add moisture.
It can cause a crusty rash on your nipples and the flat part around it, especially if you've had eczema before. Use a thick moisturizer with ceramides, a waxy ingredient that helps heal the skin. A topical steroid cream like hydrocortisone can help with swelling and itching. Your doctor can prescribe stronger prescription ointments. See them right away if you notice any oozing or tenderness, which could be a sign of infection.
Your new soap, lotion, or laundry detergent could be behind your itchy nipples. The chemicals in many cleansing products can cause a rash called contact dermatitis. It can show up as itchy red patches on your body. Switch to soaps and cleansers that are hypoallergenic, unscented, and free of dyes, and you'll know if that's the problem.
Your breasts and nipples may be reacting to the elastic or dye used to make your bra or lingerie. Contact dermatitis can cause redness and itching on the areas of the skin that touch the fabric, like your nipples. If you've recently started wearing a new bra, go back to your old one for a while and see if the itch goes away.
Your nipples can chafe when they rub against clothing while you exercise or because your bra is too tight. It's usually more painful than itchy, but some women say the friction can feel like itching or burning. Apply petroleum jelly to the area before workouts to protect it from irritation, and make sure your bra fits well.
Weight gain, morning sickness, hormone swings, and ... itchy nipples? Yep, add that to the list of symptoms of pregnancy. Blame it on hormone changes and skin stretching as your breasts and nipples expand to get ready for a nursing baby. Cocoa butter, coconut oil, or a lanolin ointment rubbed on the nipples can help lessen the itch.
Milk residue, plugged milk ducts, and problems with your baby latching on during feedings all can make nipples itchy and sore. It's important to keep the area clean and dry and to continue to pump or nurse. Lanolin ointment and silicone gel pads cooled in the refrigerator can help ease your discomfort.
If you're breastfeeding, and if your nipples and surrounding area are not only itchy but shiny or flaky, and you feel sharp pain while nursing, see your doctor. Those are signs of thrush, a fungal infection. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream to put on your nipples and breasts, as well as a mild antifungal medication you take by mouth.
This stage of your life can make your skin thinner, drier, and more easily irritated. Blame it on your hormones going up and down and on lower levels of estrogen. Your body makes less oil, so it's harder for your skin to retain moisture. The itch can strike just about anywhere on the body, including the vagina and nipples. Fight the dryness by using mild cleansers, moisturizing often, and taking fewer hot showers.
Treatment for breast cancer can lead to severe itching in the breasts and nipples, even long after it ends. Radiation kills skin cells and causes dryness, burning, and itching as the skin peels off. Massage the area with an ice cube, wear soft, loose-fitting clothes, and drink plenty of fluids. Oral antihistamines can help. Your doctor also can prescribe a corticosteroid to rub on the skin.
This rare form of breast cancer starts in the breast ducts and spreads to the nipple and nearby area. It can look a lot like eczema, with crusted, scaly, and itchy skin. But it often affects j
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