Breast itching is a fairly common complaint in women, although men can also suffer from it. The causes are very different, starting with the use of a new soap or detergent, to even more serious reasons, such as some rare cases of a particular type of breast cancer. Itching can be persistent, excruciatingly annoying, and sometimes even painful. Pay attention to the symptoms you experience and take certain steps to manage the itch, using over-the-counter treatments and making some changes in both your lifestyle and the products you use regularly. In some cases it may be necessary to see your doctor to analyze the situation, obtain a diagnosis and follow appropriate therapy, even with the use of stronger prescription drugs.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Treating the Itchiness Caused by Dry Skin
Step 1. Recognize dry skin
This is the main cause of itchy breasts. In this case, the disorder often involves multiple areas of the body and not just the chest. You should treat any existing rashes if you want to try to prevent future itching problems.
- The skin may dry out only in certain places on the body, where it tends to peel and peel off. To the touch, these areas are more tense or under tension, especially after being exposed to water.
- Areas of dry skin appear darker or dull than normal skin and also more wrinkled when compared with the soft epidermal tissue of healthy skin.
- Dry breast skin tends to get worse in the colder, drier months of the year.
Step 2. Change your routine when you wash
Prolonged bathing and showering, but also the use of too hot water, certainly does not help your dry skin problem, which can also worsen.
- Use lukewarm water when you wash and avoid getting your skin wet for too long.
- Use a fragrance-free soap that has a high fat content or contains glycerin. Exclude perfumed products, such as bubble baths, and use a vegetable sponge or a delicate cloth, avoiding rubbing the skin aggressively.
- When you shower, put soap on your breasts only every 2 or 3 days to allow your body to normalize sebum production.
- After a bath or shower, pat the skin to dry it and do not rub it vigorously with the towel; then immediately apply an unscented moisturizer.
- As an alternative to moisturizing after your bath, you can apply a bath oil just before you get out of the shower. Let your body air dry without rubbing yourself with a towel, especially on particularly itchy breast areas. Oily products are particularly slippery, so be very careful not to fall.
- If you're an athlete or go to the gym regularly, take a quick shower after your workout and be sure to use your own soap.
- Don't overdo the use of antiperspirant or scented products, as they tend to dry out the skin much more than normal fragrance-free deodorants.
Step 3. Protect the skin
This means protecting it both from the sun and from aggressive chemicals. Wear clothes that cover the breast area or any other exposed area of the skin.
Apply a sunscreen that contains a moisturizing agent
Step 4. Apply moisturizers throughout the day
Choose one that contains at least one of these ingredients: glycerin, urea, sorbitol, lactic acid, pyroglutamic acid, sodium lactate, and alpha hydroxide acid.
- Always use skin care products that do not contain fragrances if you have sensitive skin.
- Apply a water-resistant moisturizer before you go swimming, such as a light coat of petroleum jelly. After your swim, shower and apply more moisturizer as soon as possible.
- Thick moisturizers, such as Eucerin and Cetaphil, are more effective than more diluted lotions. Petroleum jelly is also thick enough to moisturize the skin well, plus it's very cheap.
Step 5. Check for environmental factors if possible
You may be exposing your skin to chemicals or agents every day that can aggravate the situation.
- Choose laundry detergents that are gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. Check the label. Choose colorless and odorless ones.
- Try to use fabric softeners without added flavorings. These reduce dryness of clothing due to washing, especially in places where the water is particularly hard. However, many of them cause allergic reactions, so if you find that the problem is not solved by switching to an unscented fabric softener, give up the product altogether.
- Rinse your clothes thoroughly, doing an additional rinse cycle in the washing machine, to make sure that any residue of detergent and chemicals is eliminated.
Step 6. Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking plenty of water every day ensures the right amount of fluids, which the body - as well as the skin - needs to stay healthy.
Use a humidifier in the winter months to keep your skin hydrated at all times
Step 7. Wear soft, breathable clothing
Choose a lightly padded bra that doesn't have too many hard, rough laces. If possible, you should choose it made of cotton, but above all you should take it off as often as possible.
- Wear loose-fitting tops, blouses, or dresses that are breathable and comfortable like cotton.
- Make sure your bra is the right size, even sports bra. The irritation and itching could also be caused by a bra that is the wrong size.
- Remove the sports bra as soon as possible after training to prevent moisture and sweat from remaining on the skin.
- Do not sleep in a bra and put on comfortable, loose and breathable pajamas.
Step 8. Avoid scratching the itchy areas
While this is easier said than done, know that it is important to prevent any complications.
- If you scratch, you can irritate the skin even more, making the itching even worse, with the risk of breaking the skin and triggering an infection.
- Instead, apply light pressure with the palm of your hand and then gently massage the area or place a cold cloth over the area to reduce the itching sensation.
- Many people scratch at night without even realizing it. Put patches on your fingertips when you sleep or sleep with gloves on to avoid scratching yourself.
Step 9. Use 1% hydrocortisone cream to manage itching
You can buy it in major pharmacies without a prescription. Apply it 1 to 4 times a day to the affected area to reduce itching.
- If your symptoms don't improve within a couple of days, you should contact your doctor.
- Also call it if you experience some side effects, such as redness, swelling, or pus discharge.
- To apply the cream, gently wash the skin and pat it dry. Then spread a light layer of product and massage carefully.
Part 2 of 4: Treating a Fungal Breast Infection
Step 1. Recognize a fungal infection
The areas where it can develop more easily are those that are particularly hot, humid and not very exposed to light. The armpits, groin area and folds under the breasts are the areas most prone to fungal growth.
- The inframammary fold is the area under the breast and is particularly prone to the formation of fungi. The most common mycosis that can develop in this area is caused by a fungus called candida albicans.
- This is the same yeast (or candida) that causes vaginal and mouth fungal infections called thrush.
- When it occurs in the area under the breasts, candida does not cause serious consequences in the long term, apart from a darker color of the skin, which can become permanent, and the possibility of the fungus spreading.
Step 2. Check for breakouts
The rashes associated with fungal infections can vary in appearance; they often occur in areas where folds of breast tissue come into contact with the skin of the upper abdomen or chest area.
- In most cases, the rash is pink or red, itchy, with small growths that develop outward and contain small bumps, especially in areas where there are hair follicles, such as under the armpits.
- Sometimes the rash resembles that of intertrigo.
- Intertrigo consists of a localized skin inflammation that occurs above all in those particularly hot and humid areas, where two epidermal surfaces press against each other. The rash associated with this disorder can be caused by fungi, bacteria, or prolonged exposure to moisture.
- Often there is also a bad smell due to the continuous humidity and the destruction of healthy skin tissues.
Step 3. Handle the problem
You can treat a fungal infection associated with intertrigo under the breast by changing the circumstance that facilitates fungal growth and using antifungal medications prescribed by your doctor.
- To improve the situation, take a few steps to prevent the folds of the skin from pressing against each other and to prevent moisture from accumulating.
- Make sure that the bra is the right size and that it prevents the breasts from adhering to the upper abdomen or chest area.
- If necessary, use a clean, dry cloth or sterile gauze pad at the base of the bra to absorb excess moisture and prevent the different layers of skin from coming into contact with each other.
- Wear a clean bra every day. Also wear a comfortable shirt made of breathable fabric such as cotton.
- Take off your bra as often as possible. Place a clean, dry towel or swab between the skin folds.
- Men suffering from this problem should avoid wearing tight shirts or a fabric that makes you sweat more. They should put a cotton undershirt under their shirt to absorb moisture.
Step 4. Keep the area dry
Make sure you dry the area under your breasts thoroughly after a shower or bath.
- It may help, in this sense, to avoid getting dressed immediately after the bath; wait some time to let some fresh air flow over the affected area of the skin.
- Lie on your back in bed or stand in front of a fan to dry the skin between the folds even better before getting dressed.
Step 5. Apply aluminum acetate to the skin
You can find this product in 5% concentration as an over-the-counter drug both in sachets and in tablets to be dissolved in water. Use it to create a preparation also known as "Burow's solution".
- This solution is often used to treat irritated skin and acts as an astringent to prevent the spread of rashes. As with all products, however, see your doctor if you have difficulty treating the irritated area at home. Advice from a professional is always best.
- Mix the contents of the sachet or dissolve the tablet in water, following the instructions on the package. Apply the product to the skin affected by the rash.
- Dampen a cotton cloth in the solution and lay it on the rash for 15 to 30 minutes. Once you have used the cloth and applied to the infected area, be sure not to use it again.
- Repeat the procedure three times a day. When you remove the cloth, wait for the skin to air dry thoroughly before getting dressed.
- Discontinue use if you begin to notice signs of irritation or allergic reactions from using the solution. These include a rash that goes beyond the affected area, hives, blisters, or excessive itching.
- Be careful not to use the product more than recommended, as it may dry out the skin.
Step 6. Use a topical antifungal product
At the pharmacy you can find several, without a prescription, that can help you treat the affected area. Among the most popular are the creams based on clotrimazole and miconazole.
More aggressive medications to treat a fungal skin infection, including nystatin-based topical powders, require a prescription
Step 7. Contact your doctor
If you don't get positive results within a few weeks with topical treatments, if the situation gets worse, or if the itching is so annoying that it interferes with your normal daily activities, you should see your doctor.
He may prescribe stronger medications or even an oral medicine to be taken in combination with a topical treatment
Step 8. If you are breastfeeding, you must take care of both you and the baby
In some cases, candida yeast, or any fungal infection, can affect both the nursing mother and the baby, who continue to infect each other until both are effectively treated.
- If you are breastfeeding, the candida rash can develop at the nipple and is passed on to the baby in a form that is generally referred to as thrush.
- See your doctor to treat your baby's candida and subsequent breast infection. Go to your doctor or pediatrician for more potent medications to help fight the infection on both affected people.
Part 3 of 4: Treating Eczema or Breast Psoriasis
Step 1. Make a doctor's appointment
If you want to effectively eliminate eczema or a psoriasis outbreak on your breasts, you need to be prescribed powerful corticosteroid medications.
Topical products, including over-the-counter products, should not be applied to the breast area without first consulting your doctor
Step 2. Identify the patches of psoriasis
Know that they can form anywhere in the body, including breast tissue.
- These appear as thick, silver, sometimes red spots that are itchy and often painful.
- If you notice an outbreak of psoriasis on the chest, you should contact your doctor before applying any topical products. Make sure your doctor wants to prescribe medications you have already used on your breasts.
Step 3. Recognize breast eczema
This type of rash is often most noticeable in the nipple area.
Often the area is itchy, red, sometimes scabs form, and fluid can also come out of the lesions
Step 4. Visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis
Since the rash of breast eczema is similar to that of another more serious condition, Paget's disease, it is extremely important to see a specialist.
Take steps to keep the area dry and avoid harsh or scented cleaning products
Step 5. Take oral medications
In addition to topical treatments, your doctor may prescribe medications to take by mouth, which help treat the infection that has already started, in combination with other medicines to control the itching.
- Topical medications he may prescribe include corticosteroids that reduce inflammation and promote healing, as well as newer active ingredients called calcineurin inhibitors. The latter are used only in the most severe cases, in which eczema outbreaks recur frequently.
- These new immunosuppressive agents include tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. These medications help the skin heal and prevent further recurrence of eczema or atopic dermatitis. However, these are medicines that alter the immune system.
Step 6. Avoid scratching yourself
When rashes occur, regardless of whether eczema or psoriasis is the cause, and regardless of where they occur, scratching the skin can cause complications.
- Scratching can spread the problem to a larger area of the body, which in turn causes more irritation, with the possibility of an infection.
- Many people scratch at night without realizing it. Try putting patches on your fingertips when you go to sleep or sleep in gloves to avoid scratching.
Part 4 of 4: Monitoring Serious Medical Disorders
Step 1. Check for symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
This is a very rare type of cancer, occurring in only 1 to 4% of breast cancer cases and often presenting with an itch.
- This type of cancer is often accompanied by sudden changes in the skin and tissues surrounding the carcinoma.
- These skin mutations cause itching accompanied by pain, swelling and redness in a specific area of the breast that is just above or around the tumor site.
- The breast tissue becomes wrinkled, similar to orange peel.
- Check for other warning signs of inflammatory breast cancer, such as a feeling of stiffness or a hard area under the skin, a feeling of warmth to the touch, and a discharge from the nipple.
- The nipple can also be inverted, that is, facing inward.
Step 2. Rule out Paget's disease
This is a very rare disease; also in this case it develops between 1 and 4% of cases of breast cancer. It occurs very similar to psoriasis or nipple eczema and can be itchy.
- The condition begins on the nipple or areola area and often appears as a red, scaly, and sometimes itchy rash. The nipple may also appear flat or produce secretions.
- Most people with Paget's disease have at least one breast cancer, and about half of the cases have a lump that can be physically felt on palpation.
- In 90% of women who have cancer under the nipple area, the cancer has spread and is considered invasive.
- Paget's disease is diagnosed with a tissue biopsy. It is sometimes spotted late, due to symptoms that are similar to other skin conditions.
Step 3. Remember that these are rare diseases
Both Paget's disease and inflammatory breast cancer are indeed very rare cases, occurring in less than 4% of breast cancers.
- See medical facilities as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms that may indicate the presence of any disease.
- Most disorders that cause itching are generally not serious.
