Women's Health Community

Hi, I've was searching for info on this subject and I'm glad I found you all. I'm soon to be 48 and for several years (I know don't say it) I've had itching off and on. I originally chalked it up as starting to go through pre-menopause. It isn't consistant and it's not always on the same side. But Lately I've noticed I have a small little patch of skin around the outer part of the areola about the size of a pea that is slightly crust like. I thought maybe it was could be a fungus like that of ringworm or athletes foot. It doesn't itch all the time not unless I mess with it or something rubs it and sets it off.

I know I should go to the doctor and have it checked out but I'm more of the "natural" type person and would like to try something natural first to see if it will go away. Any suggestions on any natural solutions just in case it is just a simple skin problem?

Hi, I was relieved to read that I wasn't the only person having itchy nipple-trouble; im 18 years old and have this problem on and off, its always in my right nipple right on the very end, I feel like im going to itch it off sometimes my right breast and nipple appear to be fine and healthy, its actually the bigger boob, I always have discomforts in my left boob right where my underarm and breast meet, but my GYN has assured me that it isn't anything serious and that it's just normal breast tissue.... I dont know how to take that considering it is a persistent thing and only calms down but never ceases to go completly away...any suggestions???

Well, like everyone else, I'm glad I'm not the only one. My itchy nipple (left) started several months ago. I mentioned this to my GYN who I have been going to for 30 years. I had breast cancer in 2003 on the left side. Lucky for me I only had to have a lumpectomy. My GYN didn't seem to concerned. His words "Not a gynecological problem". I went last week for a 6 month mamo and ultra sound. Just waiting for the results. Sometimes it itches so bad it wakes me up at night. That is the only symptom I have, ITCHING! that drives me crazy. Has anyone been diagnoised with anything related to this? By the way, I have not changed laundry soap, body soap or anything like that. I'm anxiously awaiting the results of my mamo and ultra sound.

I'm also 40 something and have itchy nipples both of them and it is driving me nuts. But the big difference is I'm a male was any one on this site a male, or where all of you female. I have been too three or four doctors already and all I get is here is some cream. It helps when I use it, but it comes right back when I stop. Any one have any advice for me. Thank you. mg

Hi I hope you do not mind but have you found anything out. My Mamogram in 2006 and 2007 were normal. In 2008 a questionable mark was discovered so I was called back for an Ultra Sound I was then sent home told they were going to keep an eye on it. In Jan 09 I went in and had a bunch of xray, ultra sound and an MRI I was told they saw something but wanted to check in 6 months again. I go back in June for another MRI. My nipples started to itch a lot about 3 month ago so I am curious. I have not changed any bath soap or laundry so I was wondering if you received any information. Thanks and good luck.

I must say that I have spent the last two days trying to find out information on this. I am in my 30's and it is driving me crazy! It happens during the day, and at night also. Its not a constant itch, but enough that I thought I better look it up. Glad I am not alone.

I have had this issue off & on for several years & chalked it up to weight gain & loss! Now, of course, I'm not so sure after reading the posts. Sure wish everyone would post an update on their situation, as that would be MOST helpful. I wonder when everyone says ENCRUSTATION, whether that looks similar to, say, a sunburn peeling? I have that, but the peels do seem a bit more stiff then a normal sunburn peel in other areas. I have had mammograms for many years, and am 42 now--they considered my case higher risk, as my Grandmother had a lumpectomy in '92. I have not had a positive finding in all these years, but they often seem, well actually annoyed, that my breasts are dense because I have not had children-and often have to retake the mammogram, so be thankful if you only had to have one in a day! Any post-op info from our poster would be welcome!

Hi you guys! I've had a problem for a year and a half and sounds like a lot of you have had the same thing: itchy (ohhhhh maniacally itchy) nipples that sometimes have peeling like sunburn, sometimes a delicate callus like something from Athlete's foot, but always the pain, the burn, and this absolute desperate itch. I've been to doctors who say I've got to see a dermatologist; problem is, there isn't one in a 100 mile radius of me (honest. But I'll get there one day.) And I've tried everything on my nipples without success: Neosporin; Vaseline; Tinactin; baby powder; twelve different kinds of hand lotions including Silicon Glove from Avon; I've tried Cort-aid hydrocortisone; I've tried Triamcinolone from my pharmacy. I've tried hydrogen peroxide. I've tried switching to Dove Soap (helpful, but not a cure). I've tried just about everything except having my boobs removed.

I was about to try Listerine on my breasts when I stumbled on this : a salve with three ingredients. It is called COMFREY SALVE. The three ingredients are COMFREY, OLIVE OIL, and BEESWAX. Believe it or not, I found this in--of all places--a pizzeria; a friend of the owner's makes salves apparently in her spare time. The cost was $6. I went online and found something comparable, but not quite as cheap, in case you are eager to try this method: www.earthlyherbs.com/comfrey-salve.htm

This is my third day using it (applied twice or three times per day) and, incredibly, the areas seem to be healing. I've gone from 100% itchy on my nipples to having a slight itch that I slap at once or twice per day. And it's not "weeping" either. Compared to what I've been through, this is paradise so far. The only precaution you have to take is to make sure you are wearing a bra that you don't mind getting stained, because the olive oil will do that.

Remember: you want only these three ingredients: COMFREY, BEESWAX, OLIVE OIL. Those among you who are gifted in making herbal remedies and so forth could perhaps mix these up at home for yourselves.

Good luck, everyone. I still don't know the connection with this nipple irritation with Padget's disease, but I'm going to find out.

Oops, I don't like that link I posted above. Try this one instead: www.comfreysalve.com/search

I am also relieved to see so many others with the same symptoms. I am 42 and I have been dealing with extreme itching of my right nipple. It also started on the very tip about six months ago. I am noticing now that the right nipple itself is becoming a bit darker than the left. I don't have any other skin changes though. The last few weeks I have noticed a deep burning sensation under my right nipple. No discharge noted. I have an appointment in two days with my GYN for exam and mammogram. I have been researching symptoms and of course Paget's always comes up. Am very concerned since my mother had ovarian cancer and that seems to be a risk factor also.

I am glad to have found this forum. I would like to hear how your follow-ups have gone.

Would love any information you have!

I was expriering the same thing for the last week. My left nipple was very itchy for at least 7 days. At one point it was inflamed and darker. It is now back to normal. Just itchy from time to time. I do have serval psyst in my left and right. I am not due for my next mamo yet. I spoke to my GYN and he wants me to see a breast specialist. Due to the history Of pain I have had in my left breast. There were times when I would wake up in the middle of the night with a burning sensation. I did have a ultrasound done and they said I have serveral small cyst.

My question to you is, should I still be concerned now that the itch and pain is gone.

Maybe contact a breast specialist. Most people don't realize men too have breast tissue and are at risk for breast cancer. Good luck!

I had itchy breast for about a year. I went to a dermatologist and was advised it was eczema since the treatment of Hydroxyx HCl and a steroid cream worked. The problem with this was that as soon as I stopped, it came back. It was horrible and only other relieve was to lay on my breasts or take the meds (steroids are not recommended long term specially on breast). The other option was to get tested for Paget's, but I had no symptoms of any breast cancer. I got married about a month ago and started living w/ my new husband. After a week of living with him I the itching started to subside. Then I started to move my furniture to his house including me King size bed with a wonderful Serta Ultimate 4-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Had this for a few years before the itching, so I didn't think any of it. As soon as I started sleeping on it, I started itching again. Told my husband to remove the pad, I sprayed the top of the mattress with Lysol to kill any residue of the foam, washed, all of the mattress covers, pad etc. I haven't been itching since.

If you have a memory foam topper, remove it and see if you're allergic to the chemicals on it.

The sad part about this is that if I had not gotten married like I said would never would, I would have still been suffering with this.

Hope this story helps you!

Best wishes.

I had itchy breast for about a year. I went to a dermatologist and was advised it was eczema since the treatment of Hydroxyx HCl and a steroid cream worked. The problem with this was that as soon as I stopped, it came back. It was horrible and only other relieve was to lay on my breasts or take the meds (steroids are not recommended long term specially on breast). The other option was to get tested for Paget's, but I had no symptoms of any breast cancer. I got married about a month ago and started living w/ my new husband. After a week of living with him I the itching started to subside. Then I started to move my furniture to his house including me King size bed with a wonderful Serta Ultimate 4-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper. Had this for a few years before the itching, so I didn't think any of it. As soon as I started sleeping on it, I started itching again. Told my husband to remove the pad, I sprayed the top of the mattress with Lysol to kill any residue of the foam, washed, all of the mattress covers, pad etc. I haven't been itching since.

If you have a memory foam topper, remove it and see if you're allergic to the chemicals on it.

The sad part about this is that if I had not gotten married like I said would never would, I would have still been suffering with this.

Best wishes!

A couple months ago I google searched this issue and found very little except people freaking out about Piaget. I am soooo glad to have stumbled upon this message board in my search today. I am 30 and have had this issue for over 5 years. It is my right nipple only and it is one particular spot on the nipple. I always thought it might be a blocked pore. I went to a dermatologist (of course my nipple wasn't itchy when my appointment finally came up) who said my nipple looked perfect and that he couldn't make any sort of guess since the itchiness wasn't occurring at that moment. A couple things I noticed early on, years ago, was that it seemed to correlate with my menstrual cycles. I forget if it was the week before or after that it started to itch LIKE CRAZY. Now it itches more often and I can't find a correlation between my cycle and the itch. Strangely it usually only itches in the evening (starting around 6pm) only occasionally have I noticed it during the day. I have tried different deodorants, different detergent, I have vacationed and found no difference in sleeping in beds other than my own. My doctor suggested it might be eczema. She assured me that my nipple would look gross and that it would have worsened over the years if I had Piaget Disease. She said that eczema can occur and reoccur in the same spots(From what I have seen on others and read about of eczema this does not seem to be it)(this is such a tiny spot on my nipple), my doctor took a small scraping of the area and looked at it under a microscope, she said she found a tiny trace of yeast and suggested a topical cream for this which I applied and it made it WAY WORSE. I have tried anti-fungal creams, horrible. Lotions don't work. covering it with a bandaid can sometimes help remind me not to itch it til it bleeds. My gut suspicion, having no medical background, is that I have a blocked pore, perhaps I should go to a beautician and get a facial on my right nipple! No one around me seems to understand how torturesome it is!! I have however found something that at least soothes(sometimes only minimally though) the itch. It is called Nip Stick. I have no idea where I got it. It looks like a large chapstick tube and has lasted me for over 5 years. I found it on Amazon www.amazon.com/All-Natural-Nip-Stick-Indigo/dp/B000DIN3IK I think there is something wrong with all our nipples but they haven't discovered what it is. I hope I will be informed when they do figure out why all these people have a tiny itchy spot on ONE nipple!!!