It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment to relieve your symptoms.
Read on to find out the different causes of itchy breasts, and how to treat them.
You may also have a generalized feeling of being sick if you have mastitis.
Verywell / JR Bee
You may also just be prone to dry skin.
Dermatitis
Dermatitisis a rash due to inflammation of the skin.
Common culprits include new clothes, detergents, perfumes, lotions, and shampoos.
People with asthma or hay fever may also have atopic dermatitis.
Wearing a comfortable and supportive bra, even during sleep, can prevent skinfolds from trapping sweat and moisture.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisis a skin condition that causes flaky scales on the skin.
It can occur anywhere on the body, including the breasts.
However, the breasts are not the most common location of the psoriasis patches.
Psoriasis can be treated with phototherapy (light therapy) or topical medications.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes that increase the size of the breasts can cause painful or itchy breasts.
This includes conditions such as puberty, pregnancy, or premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Generally, this problem lasts for several days to several weeks.
It usually is not accompanied by a rash or discoloration of the skin on the breasts.
Breastfeeding and weaning can also cause itchy breasts.
Pregnancy-induced eczema is the most common reason for itchiness of the breasts and other body partsduring pregnancy.
Also, because it stretches the skin to accommodate implants, breast augmentation surgery can cause itchiness.
Most people find that the itching goes away within a few months after surgery.
If itchiness is persistent and intolerable, you should consult your surgeon or your primary care provider.
You may only experience some of them and on only certain parts of your breast.
Itchy Breasts and Breast Cancer
Lumpsaren’t the only potential symptom of breast cancer.
IBC accounts for 2% to 4% of breast cancer cases in the United States.
It spreads rapidly and often isn’t recognized until it reaches an advanced stage.
The symptoms are easily confused with eczema or other causes of skin irritation.
Summary
Itchy breasts can occur for various reasons and rarely indicate breast cancer.
Mastitis, hormonal changes, yeast infections, dermatitis, and nursing are all noncancerous causes of itchy breasts.
Cancers that are known to cause itchy breasts include IBC and Paget’s disease.
Taking care of your breasts is important.
Talk with your healthcare provider about changes in your breasts or the skin around them.
Even if the condition isn’t dangerous, you may need treatment.
And getting relief from your discomfort is important.
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