Nipple soreness is a real thing that almost everyone, both men and women, will experience at some point in their lives. You might not feel comfortable talking about this even with your closest friends. Most of the time, non-cancerous things like irritation from a woman's bra or changes in hormones caused by pregnancy or puberty cause pain in the area around the nose. Pain in the nipple may sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like an infection or breast cancer, but this is very rare. In this article, we will talk about the most common causes of nipple pain and also about nipple pain treatment.
Here's The List Of Possible Causes Of Nipple Pain
1. Breastfeeding
Nipple pain is a common problem for breastfeeding women, especially when they start. When the baby first latches on, some women feel a sharp pain in the nipple. If the baby latches on the right, this pain will go away in a few seconds. If your baby isn't latching on the right, you may feel pain during the whole feeding and even after. Cracked and bleeding nipples may go along with the pain. It is important to tell the difference between regular nipple pain and a more serious cause, like mastitis. It is one of the most common causes of nipple pain.
2. Menstrual Cycle
Some women know they are about to get their period when their breasts hurt and their nipples hurt bad. When estrogen and progesterone levels rise right before your period starts, your breasts may feel bigger and heavier, and your nipples may hurt and feel sore. Pain relief usually starts soon after your period starts. It is among the most common causes of nipple pain.
Suggested Read: Stress & Menstrual Period
3. Paget's Disease
Only one to four percent of breast cancer patients are diagnosed with Paget's disease, making it an extremely uncommon form of the disease. Even though the likelihood of Paget's disease being the cause of your nipple pain is extremely remote, you should still discuss the possibility with your primary care physician, particularly if the pain is localized to only one side of your nipple (either the left or the right side).
4. Skin Conditions
If your nipples hurt bad and the area around it, called the areola, is flaking, crusting, or blistering, you may have dermatitis. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by your immune cells. Dermatitis comes in many different forms. Contact dermatitis happens when your skin reacts to something that irritates it, like a detergent or soap. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is a genetic condition that lasts long and is often linked to allergies and asthma. It is among the serious causes of nipple pain. Eczema makes the skin dry, flaky, and itchy in patches, and it's rarely just on the nipples.
Read Next: Common Causes Of Skin Rashes
5. Infections
Some infections can cause pain in the nipple, especially in breastfeeding women. Mastitis is an infection and inflammation of the breast tissue that usually affects breastfeeding women. Mastitis causes pain and swelling in the nipple, fever, chills, red streaks on the breast, a warm or burning feeling, and more sensitive breast tissue.
Breast and nipple thrush is a yeast infection that usually happens to breastfeeding women, especially if the nipple is broken or hurt. After taking antibiotics, thrush can also happen. A yeast infection can cause your nipple to hurt in a sharp, stabbing, or burning way, itch, and be a light colour or white. The breast or nipple may also be red, and the skin around the nipple may be dry and flaky.
6. Breast Cancer
Pain in the nose isn't likely to be a sign of cancer. But you should see your doctor immediately if you have pain in your nipple and a new lump in your breast, blood coming out of your nipple, if your nipple turns inside out, or if the shape or size of one breast changes. This is one of the most serious causes of nipple pain.
Causes Of Nipple Pain7. Friction
Maybe your bra is too loose or tight, or you're wearing a shirt that is too tight and made of material that itches. Any of these things could make nipples already sore and sensitive even worse. Athletes, like runners and swimmers, often have to put something on their nipples, like lubricant or something else, to keep them from chafing.
Recommended Read: Is Your Bra Right For You?
8. Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, her hormones change, which affects many parts of her body, like her breasts and nipples. It's important to know that swollen breasts and soreness in the breasts and nipples are some of the first signs of pregnancy. This is one of the common causes of nipple pain.
Nipple Pain Treatment
- Infections such as mastitis and thrush may call for antibiotics or drugs available only with a doctor's prescription. Even if a mother has mastitis, it is generally recommended that she continue to pump her breast milk or nurse her child. This will assist in clearing the milk ducts and speed up the healing process from the infection.
- Nipple pain associated with the menstrual cycle and pregnancy will typically go away. Pain relievers available without a prescription can be helpful, but you should always see your physician before taking any drug while pregnant.
- If the pain in your nipple is brought on by friction, you can get some relief by switching to a shirt made of a different material or purchasing a bra that fits you better. Additionally, rash guards, nipple shields, and some ointments may be of assistance.
- If it is determined that breast cancer or Paget's disease is the root cause of your nipple pain, possible treatments include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
- Nipples that are sore as a result of nursing can be alleviated by using over-the-counter pain medications, applying a warm compress to the affected area, and using lanolin ointment to prevent the skin from breaking before taking any drugs while nursing; you should always check with your primary care physician first. In addition, breastfeeding women might want to seek the guidance of a lactation expert regarding the correct way to latch their babies on.
Takeaway
If your nipple hurts and removing irritants or changing your clothes doesn't help, or if it gets worse, you should see a doctor. If you have signs of an infection, like a fever, chills, severe pain, redness, or discharge from your nose, you should call a doctor right away. Make sure you read about the causes mentioned above of nipple pain. You should also see a doctor if you have breast lumps, growths that don't look normal, bleeding, or nipples that are turned up.
Also Read: Prostate Cancer: A Ticking-Time-Bomb?