Why do my breasts itch?

Many women ask themselves the following question: do my breasts itch, am I pregnant? The truth is that although this symptom is not always a sign of pregnancy, it can be one of the first symptoms that a pregnant woman experiences, in addition to other signs, as we will explain below.

In this case, the itchy breasts in pregnancy is due to hormonal changes that occur in the female body. The breasts are one of the parts of the body that change the most during pregnancy, as they gradually prepare to feed the baby. The main changes that a woman can experience in her breasts during pregnancy are those that we list below:

• Tingling, tenderness or discomfort to the touch, and swelling due to the increase in female hormones and the accumulation of fat that occurs during the first weeks of pregnancy.
• Nipple and areola skin darker.
• Itchy breasts and stretch marks: the breasts grow and the skin stretches, causing stretch marks and itching in the area.
• Bluish veins most noticeable due to increased blood supply to the breasts.
• Secretions around weeks 12 to 14 of gestation: colostrum is secreted, which is the liquid that will nourish the baby just after delivery and before the breasts begin to produce breast milk.

For relieve itchy breasts during pregnancy, measures such as the following can be implemented:

• Moisturize the skin of the breasts and nipples very well by applying moisturizers. It is best to buy a lotion at the pharmacy, creams that contain shea butter, vitamin E, almond oil, etc. are good options.
• Wear bras made of natural and breathable fabrics.
• Avoid using soaps and gels that are irritating or can cause dry skin.

In the following oneHOWTO article, you can see other early symptoms of pregnancy.

During puberty, adolescent girls may also feel itchy breasts due to the development and growth of the same as the breast tissues extend to their new size. Therefore, it is normal to experience a certain itchy sensation in the breasts during their growth, since the skin, although elastic, requires a period of time to adapt to the new changes that the body goes through.

In general, these itches tend to disappear after about 1 year. In the event that they are accompanied by other symptoms such as redness or skin rash, it is advisable to see a doctor, as it could be an indication of an allergy.

Among the most serious causes of itchy breasts, we can find some types of breast cancer such as the one called Paget’s disease of the breast, although it is important to note that it is a rare cancer. This usually affects the skin of the nipple and areola and most patients who suffer from it usually also have one or two tumors inside the affected breast.

Main symptom of Paget disease of the breast are the following:

• Itching or tingling in the nipple or areola.
• Redness
• Scaly, crusty, or thicker skin on or around the nipple.
• Flattened nipple.
• Nipple discharge, which is usually yellow or bloody.

In the following oneHOWTO article, we report in more detail about the symptoms and treatment of Paget’s disease of the breast.

Many women report feeling itchy nipples and breasts before the onset of their menstruation, which can occur due to hormonal changes that the female body experiences during the menstrual cycle. In addition, the itching is often accompanied by pain, inflammation and great sensitivity. These symptoms usually appear when estrogen and progesterone levels are higher, which is usually towards the middle of the cycle, and they tend to disappear with the arrival of the rule.

Some of the advice that can help relieve sore and itchy breasts before menstruation are:

• Apply warm compresses to the breasts for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Massage the breasts by applying a little evening primrose oil.
• Soak some gauze with apple cider vinegar and place it on the breasts for about 15 minutes.
• Wear a bra made of natural fabrics and of the appropriate size.
• Take a soothing and anti-inflammatory infusion such as rosemary, dong quai or thyme.

Some skin conditions or diseases can also answer the question of why my breasts itch. Some of the most frequent are the following:

• Contact dermatitis: When the skin comes into contact with certain components of chemicals or certain types of tissues, an allergic reaction can occur and consequently symptoms such as itchy breasts, redness, irritation and skin rash appear. This could be triggered by the frequent use of laundry detergents, soaps, gels, perfumes, deodorants, synthetic fibers from bras, etc. It is important to identify what is causing the allergy to prevent it from coming into contact with the skin of the sinuses.
• Atopic dermatitis: A chronic condition that causes a skin rash or the presence of blisters in the affected area, which can ooze fluid and form a scab. Other symptoms are severe itching, inflammation, dry skin, and redness. It is not very common for it to manifest itself in the breasts, but in this case it is necessary to consult a professional dermatologist and start the treatment indicated.
• Psoriasis: disease that affects the skin and occurs when there is a problem in the immune system, which attacks healthy tissues by mistake. When you experience an outbreak of psoriasis, red, scaly patches appear on the affected area, as well as itchiness, dryness, and thicker skin. In the following article, we explain in detail how to treat psoriasis.
• Dryness of the skin: When the skin of the breasts is excessively dry and suffers from a lack of hydration, they may appear itchy, as well as possible irritations and skin rashes. It is important to keep the skin of the whole body well hydrated both internally and externally, so we must apply moisturizing creams after showering and try to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water a day.

During breastfeeding, another possible cause of itchy breasts is the puerperal mastitis, what is the inflammation of the mammary gland due to a plugged milk duct. In addition, an infection can occur if germs in the tissues of the inflamed area become activated and proliferate.

Mastitis often causes symptoms such as sore, itchy breasts, redness, swelling, and tenderness to the touch. There may also be cases in which the patient has fever and fatigue. It is necessary to start an antibiotic treatment to cure mastitis and this must be prescribed by a specialist doctor. To try to alleviate the symptoms, you can gently massage the affected breast or apply gauze soaked with an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial infusion such as thyme. In the following oneHOWTO article, we show other effective home remedies for treating mastitis.

This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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