7 Reasons For Painful Nipples: Know Why They Hurt

Nipples can be sensitive and prone to pain from various causes such as rashes, infections, or tight clothing. Women may experience painful nipples during menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

It’s understandable to be concerned about breast cancer if you’re experiencing nipple pain, but it’s rare for it to be the primary symptom.

If your nipple pain persists, it’s still important to see a doctor for evaluation. It can be challenging to determine the reason for sore nipples.

1. Skin Disorders

An itchy rash, swelling around your nipple, and soreness could all be symptoms of dermatitis, an irritant of the skin.

This widespread illness is brought on by environmental allergies and irritants.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is brought on by dry skin, immune system issues, and heredity.

When something touches your skin and irritates it, such as a chemical in perfume, soap, or jewelry, contact dermatitis develops.

Your doctor might recommend antihistamine pills, moisturizers, and corticosteroid cream for your skin if your dermatitis is brought on by an allergy or irritant. Additionally, an oatmeal bath helps relieve pain.

2. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormone changes also lead to nipple soreness. But the primary indicators of pregnancy include:

• absent periods
• vomiting and nauseous.
• being worn out.
• more frequent urination than normal.
• your nipples and breasts will both enlarge. As the delivery time approaches, they could start to leak fluid.

Pick a bra that fits you nicely throughout pregnancy. Ask your doctor which painkillers are okay for you to take while pregnant if your breasts are truly hurting.

3. Uncomfortable clothing

Itchy skin might result from wearing a baggy shirt or bra, especially if you engage in repetitive motions like long-distance running. Your nipples could bleed if you rub them together too much.

Wearing tops and bras that fit you nicely will help you avoid this issue.

Protect your nipples before you run by wrapping them in waterproof bandages or nipple protectors.

Apply an antibiotic ointment if chafing makes you sore. Then use sterile gauze to cover the nipple.

4. Infections

An infection may be the cause of severe nipple pain.

The milk ducts become infected with mastitis. It takes place when germs flourish in clogged ducts.

Women can contract HPV at any time in their lives, but nursing is when it occurs the most frequently. Mastitis can occur in men on occasion as well.

• Other signs include:
• a fever of 101 degrees or more
• chills
• breast redness or red streaks
• swollen nipple
• scorching or warmth in the breast
• enlarged breasts

Antibiotics are required to treat the infection. Even if you begin to feel better, be careful to take the entire dose that your doctor has advised.

5. Breastfeeding

You can experience a brief sharp discomfort in your nipple as your baby latches onto your breast. After a few seconds, the pain ought to subside.

If your infant doesn’t latch on properly, the discomfort could continue the entire meal. It might have a pinching sensation.

Your nipples may crack and bleed as well. As your baby grows used to nursing, your symptoms ought to improve. However, there are a few methods for reducing soreness:

• To soften your nipples before nursing, squeeze out a few milk drops and gently rub them on your genitalia.
• Apply lanolin or another balm or ointment to your nipples.
• After each feeding, let your nipples dry naturally. Alter your breast pads frequently to maintain dry them.
• Put on a cozy cotton nursing bra. Make sure it fits snugly to prevent nipple rubbing.
• Find a comfortable feeding posture by trying a few different ones.

Your doctor or a lactation consultant can assist you and your baby in making some adjustments to make you both more comfortable if you’re having difficulties achieving a good, pain-free latch.

When you are nursing, especially if your nipple has cracks, you may develop thrush, a yeast infection of the breast and nipple. It can also occur after taking antibiotics.

6. Thrush

Thrush causes nipple pain that feels like it is stabbing, shooting, or scorching. You could also view:

Redness on your breast or nipples

Skin that is flaky or dry around the nipple

While you are nursing, your infant could contract thrush or give it to you. It may appear as a white film on their cheeks and tongue.

Thrush is treated with antifungal medication. If your infant is infected, it will also require medical attention.

7. Paget’s illness

Experiencing nipple pain is usually not a sign of Paget’s disease, as this rare form of breast cancer affects only a small percentage (1% to 4%) of breast cancer patients.

Paget’s disease typically affects only one breast and is characterized by red, dry, and itchy skin around the nipple, which gives it a dermatitis-like appearance. Other signs and symptoms include:

• an indented or flattened nipple
• Yellowish or reddish nipple discharge
• there is a breast lump
• sharp pain in nipples
• added skin thickness across the breast
• although less common, freckles on boobs

In case of such symptoms, consult your physician. Men can also develop Paget’s, and they should consult their doctor about changes to their nipples.

The nipple and the pigmented area surrounding it, known as the areola, as well as all or part of the breast, are removed during surgery to cure this cancer.

Any cancer cells that are still alive after surgery are eradicated by chemotherapy.

1. Why do my nipples hurt when touched?

A. Most often, hormonal changes from menstruation or pregnancy, allergies, or irritation from clothing are to blame for sore nipples.

Rarely, it may be an indication of a serious condition like breast cancer. Any pain accompanied by discharge or lumps should be evaluated by your healthcare physician as soon as possible.

2. Why are my nipples hard and sore to touch?

A. It could occur out of the blue. Your nipples suddenly start to stick up as you’re standing in the grocery store checkout line. You may be a little concerned because you don’t know why it occurred.

Never be! Nipple hardness that fluctuates randomly is quite natural. Nipple nerves respond to both physical and psychological stimuli.

Therefore, one or both of your nipples may get erect in response to an exciting thought, a temperature change, or even something as basic as the fabric of your shirt brushing against your skin.

3. Why do nipples get hard when they are touched?

A. The contraction of the smooth muscle under the skin of the areola, which pulls on the skin above, causes oxytocin release, which is what causes the Sensitive nipple to become erect with excitement and stimulation, giving the appearance of goosebumps.

4. What hormone causes sore nipples?

A. The majority of breast or nipple soreness episodes happen right before menstruation starts (in the days just before your period). This is because your breast tissue swells as a result of estrogen and progesterone.