Nipple pain can feel different for everyone. Some may experience soreness, tenderness, or sensitivity, while others can feel stabbing, throbbing, or burning pain. Sometimes, nipple pain can accompany other symptoms, such as crustiness or flaking. The pain might also extend into the areola or breast. Usually, nipple pain goes away on its own or is easily treated. Here is what you need to know about the causes of nipple pain.
Nipple pain is a common symptom that may be caused by allergies, friction, menstrual periods, pregnancy, breastfeeding, infection, or breast cancer.
Typically, nipple pain does not require immediate medical attention.
Nipple pain generally does not require treatment and can resolve on its own.
Treatment of nipple pain varies by cause. Examples of treatment include over-the-counter pain relievers or antibiotics.
Nipple pain related to breastfeeding can be managed with lanolin ointment and cold compresses.
Save on prescriptions for nipple pain with a SingleCare prescription discount card.
There are many possible causes of nipple pain. It can be due to something as simple as an allergy to laundry detergent, or it can be due to something more serious like an infection. Nipple pain is common during hormonal changes, such as periods, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. In rare cases, nipple pain can be a sign of breast cancer.
Friction from clothing or bras can cause nipple chafing. This is especially common in joggers and athletes, and it can cause your nipples to get dry, red, or chapped.
Injuries to the nipples from sexual activity or nipple piercings can cause nipple soreness. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection, such as swelling or nipple discharge. Otherwise, the pain should resolve over time.
Some women feel nipple pain or soreness just before their period. This is caused by hormonal changes, specifically a rise in estrogen and progesterone, during the menstrual cycle. This pain is normal and will typically go away after your period starts. In the meantime, people can take over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen), for relief.
Pregnancy raises your hormone levels, which causes changes to your breasts. Your hormones prepare your breasts for lactation, so you can expect your breasts and nipples to be more sensitive.
Nipple pain is common among breastfeeding mothers. Whether a mother is nursing or pumping breast milk, the repetitive suction of the baby’s mouth or pump can lead to sore nipples. Ensuring your baby has a good latch and that you are using the right-sized pumping parts will lower your chances of experiencing nipple pain. Most breastfeeding pain resolves within the first month of breastfeeding, but if you still have nipple pain beyond the first few weeks, contact your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.
Household products, such as laundry detergents, lotions, soaps, or perfume, may contain allergens irritating nipples. This can lead to itchiness, scaliness, or a rash, especially if you have a skin condition called eczema (or atopic dermatitis).
Nipple pain causes also include infections, such as mastitis or yeast infections. Irritated or cracked nipples have a higher risk of infection because the open skin makes it easier for bacteria to get in. Common nipple infections include:
Mastitis: Breastfeeding raises your risk of developing mastitis, a breast infection, when a milk duct gets blocked. This causes pain, fever, fatigue, and hard, red spots on the breast.
Thrush (yeast infection): Thrush is a yeast infection where a fungus overgrows in the mouth and throat. If thrush develops while breastfeeding, babies can develop white plaques in their mouths. Breastfeeding mothers often experience a sharp, shooting pain in the breast and nipple.
Folliculitis: Swollen hair follicles around the nipples can get infected and cause nipple discomfort.
Rarely, nipple pain can be a sign of breast cancer. Although, in these cases, nipple pain is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as nipple redness, dryness, flaking, discharge, or retraction (when the nipple turns inward).
Paget’s disease is a rare breast cancer affecting the nipple and areola (dark circles around the nipple). It usually only affects one breast and occurs alongside a tumor in the breast. It can cause redness, scaliness, and crustiness on the skin of the nipple and areola.
Nipple pain is usually caused by friction from clothing, allergic reactions, or hormonal changes. It is not typically caused by a serious condition like breast cancer. However, if you experience pain alongside nipple discharge, lumps in your breast, or a change in your nipple shape, contact your healthcare provider. If your nipple pain is related to breast cancer or Paget’s disease, leaving it untreated can lead to cancer progression.
In most cases, people can determine the cause of their nipple pain. If not, contact a healthcare provider or if the pain is persistent. They will ask you questions that will help them pinpoint the cause of the pain, such as when the pain started, if you suspect you might be pregnant, or when your last period was. If they can’t determine the cause, they might order a breast ultrasound, mammogram, or biopsy.
If the cause of your nipple pain is benign, it will usually resolve with time or by removing the cause of your pain. For example, if a new soap is causing your nipple tenderness, try switching to a different soap, preferably one that is hypoallergenic.
How to treat nipple pain depends on the cause of the pain. If an injury causes the pain, you might just need time to heal. If your nipple pain is caused by your period, pain relievers may help.
Nipple pain caused by friction can be treated using a bandage, creams, or petroleum-based ointment over your nipples to prevent chafing. If an infection causes the pain, ask your healthcare provider how to eliminate nipple pain. They may prescribe antibiotics.
If you are experiencing nipple pain while breastfeeding or pumping, consider contacting a lactation consultant. They can evaluate your baby’s latch and ensure you use appropriately sized breast pump parts. They can also give you nipple pain treatment options, such as lanolin ointment or cold compresses.
Nipple irritation caused by household allergens is best treated by removing the offending agent. In the rare case that your nipple pain is caused by breast cancer, treatment will depend on the severity of your condition.
Nipple pain causes may include friction, injury, hormonal changes, skin irritations, breastfeeding, infections, or breast cancer. The cause of nipple pain may resolve on its own without treatment. However, if nipple pain continues, worsens, or is accompanied by discharge, a change in the nipple shape, or lumps in your breast, it could be a sign of breast cancer and require treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy. Only your healthcare provider can rule out infection or other serious health conditions. Visit your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for nipple pain.
Rising estrogen and progesterone levels can cause nipple pain. Both hormones cause your breasts to swell with fluid, resulting in breast tenderness and sore nipples.
While changes in hormone levels are a common reason for nipple pain, a rise in estrogen levels typically leads to nipple and breast soreness.
If you experience persistent nipple pain or nipple pain that occurs alongside nipple retraction, nipple discharge, or breast lumps, reach out to your provider. These symptoms can be signs of a more serious condition.
Sore nipples, Cleveland Clinic
Nipple pain remedies, American Pregnancy Association
Nipple pain in breastfeeding mothers: incidence, causes and treatments, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Breast cancer treatments and medications, SingleCare
Ashley Wong, Pharm.D., has worked for healthcare companies where she translated complex drug information into easy-to-understand language for patients. She also served as a Senior Medical Information Specialist at a medical communications company, where she delivered clinically accurate drug information to healthcare providers and patients and compiled adverse event reports in accordance with the FDA's reporting guidelines.
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