I Told the Doctor My Nipples Were Itchy. And Here's What He Told Me!

Itchy nipples may seem like a bit of a taboo thing to talk about, but almost two thirds of women experience it!

Why do nipples itch?

Nipples can sometimes start to itch when they are dry. This happens very often among mothers who are breastfeeding, and the condition worsens when the baby does not latch on to the mother properly. If you were surprised that two-thirds of women experience itchy nipples, you probably haven't breastfed before - because 80 percent of those who breastfeed experience it! Sometimes women can develop nipple eczema when breastfeeding latches are not strong enough.

However, it is not only mothers who are especially susceptible to irritated nipples. "Jogger's nipple" can also occur from being rubbed or chafed during physical activity, which can cause itchiness and often pain, sometimes even cracked or bleeding nipples.

Along with dryness, infections can also cause the nipples to itch. Sometimes nipples will crack as well, resulting in the sensation.

Preventing the itch

If you don't want to develop itchy nipples, there are a few things you can do to avoid it. First, make sure that your bras are made of breathable fabric and aren't too tight. When you head off to sleep, make sure that your clothes are also loose. If you exercise, make sure that you wear a sports bra, and change out of it when you’re finished exercising.

Proper hygiene is crucial in avoiding itchiness and discomfort, and you must make sure that you do not use soaps that are scented too strongly. After you get out of the shower or bath, make sure that you properly dry your breasts and nipples.

In general, simply bear in mind that artificial fibers in skin products, clothes, perfumes, and soaps can cause the itchiness, so it's best to stay away from them.

When it comes to breast feeding, do not pull out the nipple from your baby's mouth. Switch the breasts that you breastfeed from, and never use creams or oils that enlarge the breasts. Make sure that you change your breast pads often enough.

Finally, make sure that the nipple is moisturized, as discomfort commonly stems from dryness. Applying petroleum jelly can help significantly.

Itchiness alleviators

So, say your prevention didn't work, or you already have itchy nipples; what do you do to take away the discomfort? There are many natural options to curb the sensation.

Coconut oil massages (or really, any oil massages) can be lifesavers when it comes to itchy nipples. Coconut oil has moisturizing and antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, making it both safe and effective. For the best results, warm your oil then apply it to the nipples with gentle massaging pressure. You can repeat this 2-3 times per day, or as needed.

Aloe vera, much like coconut oil, seems to be a cure-all. But what can we say; it helps with itchy nipples too. If you grind the pulp of an aloe vera, apply it to your nipples, and leave it on for ten minutes before giving a gentle massage, you will experience a relieving sensation. Afterwards, rinse with cold water and pat dry. Repeat 2-3 times per day for three days to take advantage of aloe vera's healing properties.

Read on for more tips about relieving itchy nipples.