The appearance of burning in the nipple is a symptom that can occur at any age in women. It must be taken into account when going to the medical consultation to detect the causes of its appearance.
The breasts are a sensitive and delicate area in a woman’s body, especially when it comes to changes in temperature, the texture of intimate clothing, and even hormonal changes in specific periods of a woman’s life. In many cases, the appearance of burning in the nipple is not necessarily the beginning of a disease.
In addition to generating doubts and uncertainty, the appearance of these symptoms should stimulate the woman to undergo a medical check-up where the causes of their appearance can be verified and to initiate therapy if required. We invite you to read the following FastlyHealarticle in which you will learn much more about burning nipple: causes and treatment.
Table of Contents
Burning nipple: causes
The burning of the nipple may be a symptom associated with multiple hormonal changes experienced by the female body in some stages of life or specific times:
Puberty
This is when the body is subject to physical and hormonal changes. The breasts are a part of the body. Its development is evidenced in addition to greater sensitivity, which is manifested through a sensation of pain or burning in the nipple. This symptom can also be triggered in the breast at a general level.
The changes produced by hormones are characteristic of this period, where the transitions from childhood to adolescence occur, and the body adapts to them.
premenstrual syndrome
It is one of the most common causes of burning in the nipple during the childbearing years in women due to the peaks of hormones, specifically estrogens, which occur during ovulation or days before menstruation.
This syndrome is characterized by the presence of some symptoms such as:
- Changes in the mood of women.
- An increase in volume in the breasts is accompanied by pain and burning.
- Headache.
- Pain or discomfort in the lumbar region and lower abdomen.
Pregnancy
During the pregnancy stage, changes occur in the woman’s body produced by hormonal transformations, generating modifications in the body, which begin with an increase in size, breast sensitivity, and burning nipples.
Lactation
Once the mother brings her baby into the world, breastfeeding begins, during which the appearance of burning nipples is normal, caused by hormones and the constant sucking that the baby exerts while breastfeeding. In addition to burning, cracks can appear in the nipple that causes pain and can cause bleeding from that wound.
During lactation, many women suffer from mastitis, an inflammatory process that occurs in the breast tissue and is characterized by causing burning and pain in the breasts. This happens by obstruction of the milk ducts, which are the ducts through which milk passes, or by contamination with bacteria through a slight wound in the breast; although it is less frequent, it can happen.
This inflammatory process occurs very frequently during breastfeeding. It usually occurs in one of the breasts. It can also occur in women who are not breastfeeding, although its appearance is rare. Apart from burning or pain, it can be accompanied by fever, chills, enlargement, and redness of the breast.
Consumption of birth control pills
Birth control pills contain hormones, which act in the body by raising its levels. They produce symptoms such as burning and pain in the breasts.
Other causes of burning nipple
- Eczema is a lesion that can occur at any age and does not have a specific cause. It is characterized by the appearance of lesions on the skin of the nipple or breast. Dry skin is evident, accompanied by redness. These can become blister-like lesions. Whoever suffers from them complains of pain and burning in the breast.
- Allergies: the nipples are very sensitive, so they react immediately to changes in temperature, the rubbing of clothing, or the soap used during the shower. Any reaction generated by these elements causes redness, increase in volume, pain, and burning in the nipple.
- Paget’s disease: this disease affects the nipples. It is a type of cancer characterized by itching, dry skin, burning, and the presence of fluid. In this case, it is vital to go to the dermatologist, and he will be in charge of making the precise diagnosis.
- Neuropathy: it is another cause of burning in the nipple. It is produced by alteration of the peripheral nerves due to poorly controlled diabetes. Taking drugs such as those used for chemotherapy can cause nerve damage, increasing the area’s sensitivity. This gives rise to burning pain in the nipples that, in some cases, can be irreversible.
Treatment of burning nipple
When you feel burning in the nipple, you should go to the doctor, and he will be in charge of making the diagnosis according to the symptoms you present. Depending on the cause of the burning nipple, treatment may include the following:
- Treatment indicated for premenstrual nipple burning may include pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, and warm water compresses to relieve burning or pain that you may have in the nipples.
- Suppose it is due to the use or change of contraceptive pills. In that case, the gynecologist will be in charge of recommending the tablet that suits you best after laboratory studies. The hormonal levels you have at that moment are quantified. According to the result, he will adjust the dose.
- During pregnancy and lactation, the treatment will be symptomatic. With compresses with cold water and moisturizing cream to avoid dryness of the nipple, the pain will be relieved.
- With mastitis, the treatment to follow will depend on the precise diagnosis. The presence of tumorous diseases where the patient’s life is at risk must be ruled out. If it is of infectious origin, this will be based on antibiotics and accompanied by analgesics and anti-inflammatories. If it is a tumor, it is necessary to attend the consultation of an oncologist. He will be the one indicated to confirm the presence of this lesion and if it is carcinogenic. This way, you will place the treatment you need according to the injury presented.
- In cases of eczema or allergies, the ideal is for the dermatologist to indicate the procedure according to the symptoms and the lesions present. Generally, you can prescribe steroid or antihistamine creams or ointments to relieve burning and pain.
- If it is neuropathy, the specialist doctor, in this case, would be an internist. This will request pertinent studies to corroborate the cause of the neuropathy and thus alleviate the symptoms.
The appearance of burning in the nipples depends on many factors, which a specialist must review to reach the precise diagnosis to implement the treatment according to the patient’s symptoms. Do not hesitate to go to your trusted specialist, and he will tell you what to do.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Burning in the nipple: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.