ask: Strange pain/burning in nipples.
By
Anonymous
December 20, 2009 - 3:25pm
Rate This
It started last night where both of my nipples started to be really painful and almost with a burning sensation. I am 26, not pregnant (never have been). The nipples look perfectly fine with no discharge or swelling or anything. Today is started again in my right nipple. Can anyone give me some insight on what this might be or how to make it go away? Thanks.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment13 Comments
Hi,
It is good to know that there is no discharge or swelling in your nipples.
I have a few more questions for you: do your nipples or breasts feel unusually warm to the touch? (It would be a noticeable heat "radiating", another indicator of an infection). When is your next menstrual period expected, and are you currently taking any medications (including hormonal contraceptives?).
The only distinction I can make regarding pain in your nipples is if the pain is coming from the outside of your body (more like just the skin is sensitive, cracked, raw, chapped), or if the pain is within your body (more like the muscles, nerves, etc). Have you had any recent trauma or sexual experience that would have caused pain a few days after the fact?
December 20, 2009 - 4:13pmThis Comment
Hi, thanks for your response. No there is no warmth or heat sensation. My last period ended 5 days ago. I'm not taking any medication for anything. No trauma. It is sometimes accompanied by itching. There doesn't seem to be any chapped or broken skin. It does seem to be irritated by something external. I left my bra off for a while and it went away for a bit. I'm just worried it will come back. What baffles me the most is that its in both breasts. Thoughts?
-J
December 20, 2009 - 8:36pmJ,
From your description, it sounds like it is the skin on your nipples that is irritated, painful and at times, itchy. Since it is both breasts, and was relieved when leaving off your bra, have you considered that your bra may be the culprit? Do you have an ill-fitting bra that is causing pressure on your nipples (some bras have seams that run right across the nipple...I have no idea why this is!). It could be as simple as your bra causing chaffing on your nipples; chaffing can be very painful to the touch, and may not be noticeable when you are wearing the bra...only when you remove the bra.
A few thoughts for you:
1. Seek out a bra-fitting specialist in your area, and try on a few different bras. It really could be as simple as this.
2. Just to rule out the obvious: have you changed detergents or soap that could be causing the skin irritation? Skin irritation caused by an outside irritant or allergen is usually referred to as "contact dermatitis", and is treated by avoiding the irritant or allergen.
3. There are also hair follicles around the areola of the nipple, and you may have an ingrown hair by your nipple (it could happen in both breasts, if you pluck or shave the hair)
4. The last thought I have, if the above do not help, is that your breasts do contain many glands, and general breast pain can be caused by hormonal imbalances. It sounds like your pain/irritation is more external, but may not hurt to rule out this possibility if the others do not relate.
5. Your options are to contact a Dermatologist or your Gynecologist, to be medically examined, if the pain does not dissipate. Pain in your nipples are most likely not cause for alarm, but whenever you are experiencing pain, your body is trying to tell you something, and your GYN would rather you be seen and rule out "nothing".
I hope this helps!
December 20, 2009 - 9:03pmhi, my name is stephanie and i am eighteen years old. sometimes i have a burning or itching sensation in my right nipple. it burns to the touch when this happens and lasts just a little while. it has only happend a few times. i am not pregnant, never have been. i am taking oral contraceptives, i have been for 3 years now. there are lil lumps in that breast underneath my nipple which i asked a doc about and she said it was prolly fibrosystic and common for my age. it has only happend a few times but i am very scared. like the other girl it feels external like i said it burns to the touch after i starts burning. thankyou.
February 9, 2010 - 2:49amHi Stephanie - Are you seeing a gynecologist for your contraceptives? If so, have you asked your gynecologist for information about what you're experiencing? If you're worried about this and would like another opinion, your gynecologist would be a good resource for you. Second opinions are always a good idea when a condition is affecting your peace of mind and you have the right to get one.
February 9, 2010 - 6:36pmTake care, Pat
Hi i have similar symptoms, itching burning on both nipples, sometimes its very extreme.It happened from time to time during the day and they almost seem to get hardened while the burning takes place. Im not getting my period since i got off it not soo long ago and i dont take medications or am i sexually active. I am 20 years old and when it started i was bra-less. What else could it be??
May 17, 2010 - 9:53amAnon - How long have you been dealing with this? Breast pain can be caused by a number of things, including hormonal changes. Our breast pain page provides helpful information at http://www.empowher.com/condition/breast-pain
Breast burning and itching can also be an indicator of a very rare form of breast cancer known as Inflammatory Breast Cancer or IBC. You can learn more about IBC here: http://www.empowher.com/breast-cancer/content/inflammatory-breast-cancer
Since you've described the pain as "extreme" at times you need to be seen by a medical professional. It may turn out that this has a very simple cause and treatment, but it's important to get professional help to determine exactly what's causing this condition in your body. Will you be able to do this and let us know what you learn?
Take care,
May 17, 2010 - 5:47pmPat
Thanks Pat,
I will be making arrangement to seek professional help soon. I cant really say how long I have been dealing with this because i have gotten before but yesterday it was really bad, almost the whole entire day I was in pain.
May 17, 2010 - 8:11pmI'm sorry that you're in pain and hope you get the help you need really soon. Please come back if you have questions and if we can help. Hopefully it's something minor and can be cleared up quickly!
May 17, 2010 - 8:37pmi have the burning and itching also. i got it maybe an hour after i showered. i am 14. it was when i was braless. this is the first time it hs happened and it is still burning from maybe 10ish. if i touch it it gets worse. my breasts are also warmer than normal.
March 29, 2011 - 8:15pm