The breasts have specialize glandular tissues that helps lactation and has fat cells, vessels of blood, lymph nodes, nerves and other connective tissues. Generally, these have a skin cover that contains sweat glands and follicles of hair. In some cases, there is itchiness on, around or under the breast that result to the development of a rash, flaky skin and irritation. Itchy breasts can cause temporary discomfort or indicate a serious underlying condition.
Women are more susceptible to itchy breasts but can also happen in men. The itchy breasts can be due to using a new soap or detergent or even a more serious condition such as breast cancer. Itchy breasts can be constant, painful and extremely uncomfortable.
Causes of itchy breasts
- Itchy breasts can be caused by an allergy or irritation of the skin.
- Exposure to chemicals such as residues from laundry detergents can cause activation of the immune system in some individuals which results to redness, itchiness and development of rashes.
Itchy breasts can be caused by an allergy or irritation of the skin. - Itchy breasts can be caused by a condition called as mastitis. This condition is common among women who are breastfeeding and can result to drying and cracking of the skin around the nipple which makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the breast and trigger an infection. Breast infection can cause fever and fatigue.
- Inflammatory breast cancer which is rare form of cancer in which the affected breast becomes enlarged, reddened, swollen and painful with flaky and itchy skin.
Treatment
- Take a bath using warm water but avoid prolonged exposure to hot water. Use unscented soaps with high contents of glycerin. Avoid using perfumed products such as bubble baths and avoid scrubbing the skin too harshly.
- When showering, apply soap on the breast only every 2-3 days to replenish the natural oils of the body. After a shower, apply an unscented moisturizer on the skin. Another way is after taking a bath by allowing the body to dry naturally without harshly wiping the area using a towel and then apply a bath oil product on the area particularly around the breast where the itchiness is extreme.
- Minimize the use of deodorants and perfumed products to prevent drying of the skin
- Avoid scratching the affected area to prevent the condition from getting worse. Scratching the area can result to sore skin and even trigger an infection if there is damage to the skin.
Additional measures
- Apply pressure using the heel of the hand and gently massage the affected area or apply a cool wash cloth against the area to lessen the discomfort of the itchy breasts.
- Wear clothing that covers the breasts and other exposed parts of the body.
- Use a prescribed over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to help lessen the itchy breasts. Apply the cream on the skin for minor itchiness at least 1-4 times every day.
If the symptoms does not improve or still persists within 1-2 days, seek medical help immediately. In addition, encourage increased intake of fluids every day so that the body stays healthy.
FACT CHECK
https://www.healthline.com/symptom/nipple-itching