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Nipple burning

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
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Burning in the nipples is a rather unpleasant sensation that any woman can face. In addition to this symptom, any unpleasant, aching painful sensations in the chest area should alert you, because this may be the first sign of the development of a dangerous pathology of the mammary glands. In any case, having felt this symptom, you should definitely seek advice and professional help from a mammologist. It is important to note that burning in the nipples is a symptom that is directly related to the onset of any physiological or pathological changes in the mammary gland.

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Causes nipple burning

As a rule, burning in the nipples is an integral part of the lactation process, feeding the baby and the entire period of pregnancy.

In the case of fertilization, it is worth noting that hormonal changes in the body contribute to an increase in prolactin levels, which in turn increases breast size, resulting in active growth of nipple tissue, which causes painful sensations in the nipple area.

The problem of cracked nipples in women who are breastfeeding deserves special attention. To get rid of painful sensations, use pharmacy products, including oils and ointments. If you are bothered by burning in the nipples, but you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, pay attention to a number of factors that can cause painful sensations. This may be a low-quality, unsuitable bra, hygiene products containing irritating components, improper care, neglect of personal hygiene rules.

Knowing the cause of a particular disease, an experienced doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe an effective course of treatment.

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Symptoms nipple burning

Pregnancy, lactation and breastfeeding are the main, and most importantly, the "safest" reasons for the occurrence of burning in the nipples. However, there are a number of other situations in which this symptom is considered a signal for concern and immediate medical attention. For example, it may indicate the presence of fibrocystic mastopathy. Signs of this pathology are any painful seals in the breast, transparent discharge from the nipples. To avoid mastopathy, it is worth regularly examining the breast and monitoring the condition of the nipples at home, using a mirror.

Burning in the nipples is a common accompanying symptom of a breast disease that all women without exception are afraid of. We are talking about mastitis. In this case, the infection can penetrate and begin to develop intensively through a crack in the nipple. Among the main signs of mastitis, it is worth highlighting a sharp reddening of the nipple, burning pain, fever, swelling of the breast in the nipple area. You should not postpone a visit to the doctor, because mastitis is a disease, the methods of treating mastitis are the use of antibacterial drugs, and, if necessary, surgical intervention.

The symptom in question may also occur in the case of the development of such a disease as psoriasis. In this case, the woman not only feels acute pain in the chest area, but may also notice the appearance of red spots of irregular shape.

The nipple area can also be affected by such a skin disease as eczema. One should not forget about candidiasis, which in some cases can be localized in the nipple area.

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First signs

Many women who want to have a child carefully monitor the condition of their body and, having noticed any changes, new sensations, etc., can independently determine whether conception has taken place. In most cases, it is the burning sensation in the nipples, slight pain in the mammary glands, their enlargement and swelling that indicate that a woman will soon become a mother. In some cases, it is the first sign of the onset of diseases of the mammary glands. Therefore, if you are not pregnant, do not breastfeed, your period should not begin, and unpleasant sensations in the chest do not give rest, it makes sense to consult a doctor. After all, it is pain in the nipples that is a sure sign of the onset of pathologies and diseases that require urgent medical care. This includes mastitis, fibrocystic mastopathy and even breast cancer.

Carefully examine your breasts and nipple area in front of a mirror and remember that timely detection of the problem will reduce the risk of developing pathology several times. Cracks in the nipples should also be given due attention, and this problem can be solved with the help of pharmacy products, oils and ointments, which are available in every pharmacy and are sold without a prescription.

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Burning Nipples During Pregnancy

A woman and hormones cannot exist separately, which is why the health and mood of the average woman directly depend on hormonal levels. One of the first signs of pregnancy is chest pain, as well as a burning sensation in the nipples. Why does this happen? The breasts and nipples begin to change intensively under the influence of hormones. The breasts increase in size under the influence of chorionic gonadotropin, and the nipples darken.

Most doctors unanimously say that chest pain and burning in the nipples during pregnancy are normal and should not cause any concerns for the expectant mother. To alleviate the severity of this symptom, it is enough to choose the most comfortable underwear, and if necessary, use breast pads. If you notice that after the second trimester, chest and nipple pain increases, be sure to consult your obstetrician-gynecologist.

Where does it hurt?

Forms

Burning sensation in the nipple area

It is important to remember that if you suddenly feel a sharp or aching pain in any part of your chest.

A burning sensation in the nipple area, whether it is a periodic or regular painful sensation, should be a reason to visit a qualified specialist, because the health of the mammary gland should always remain in the foreground.

There are several causal factors for the symptom in question, including the period of pregnancy, lactation, breastfeeding, and the menstrual cycle phase. In these cases, this symptom should not raise suspicions and is normal. However, if you feel that the nature of the pain has become more acute, be sure to see a doctor.

Burning in the nipples can be caused by cracks, improper choice of underwear, hygiene products, deodorants, and creams for the treatment of cracks. Unpleasant sensations in the nipple area can also indicate mastopathy, breast cancer of the nipple and other rare diseases.

Pain and burning in the nipples

Every woman must pay enough attention to the health of her mammary glands in order to avoid any problems with her breasts and nipples in the future. Pain and burning in the nipples are normal only in a couple of cases. This applies to the period of pregnancy, lactation and breastfeeding. In other cases, including the monthly cycle, pain in the nipple area regularly causing discomfort requires attention from doctors. After all, in this situation there is a high risk of developing diseases such as mastitis, breast nipple cancer (Paget's disease), etc.

Regarding the latter, it is important to note that the main symptoms of Paget's disease include burning and pain in the nipple.

Burning and tingling in the nipples

Women and hormones can be called synonymous words without a drop of remorse, and it is hormones that in most cases determine a woman's well-being, including her mood and attitude to the present day. When it comes to the health of the mammary glands, no woman should be negligent about this issue, because ignoring the body's signals can cause the rapid development of various diseases and pathological conditions of the mammary glands.

Burning in the nipples is the result of a failure of the woman's hormonal system, and in some cases indicates the presence of a serious disease. Pay attention to whether you have any discharge, because in such a situation, the cause of nipple pain can be both thyroid disease and blockage of the milk ducts. Among the diseases of the mammary glands, mastopathy, cyst, mastitis, adenoma, cancer are extremely unpleasant and dangerous. If you feel these symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor who, if necessary, will either refer you for an ultrasound or a mammogram. It is important to note that after 35 years, every woman is required to do a mammogram at least once a year.

Complications and consequences

Among the most dangerous diseases that cause burning in the nipples are mastitis and breast cancer. Speaking about the latter, it is worth paying attention to a number of symptoms that indicate the presence or likelihood of cancer, observing which a woman is obliged to visit a mammologist without delay.

  • Breast lumps are often the very first signs of a malignant neoplasm in the mammary gland.
  • Burning in the nipple area is accompanied by transparent, yellow-green and even bloody discharge.
  • There are cases when there is a sharp change in the shape of the nipple, its retraction.
  • Please note that any change in the condition of the nipple and its shape, the appearance of itching and tingling may be the first signs of the development of Paget's disease (nipple cancer).

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Complications

One of the main complications of burning in the nipples can be considered mastitis and nipple cancer. Speaking about mastitis as an infection of breast tissue, it is worth noting that this disease is accompanied by such extremely unpleasant symptoms as high body temperature, general weakness and malaise. Local symptoms of the pathology include redness, swelling of the nipple and discharge from it.

One of the complications of mastitis in advanced forms or improper treatment is the formation of an abscess in the tissues of the mammary gland - a cavity filled with pus. This complication is treated exclusively by surgery. Therefore, if you feel pain and compaction in the chest, general malaise and weakness, and your body temperature is close to 39 ° C, consult a doctor without delay.

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Diagnostics nipple burning

Diagnostics consists of a set of mandatory and additional diagnostic procedures, the efficiency of which directly affects the outcome of treatment. Thus, first of all, you should consult a professional mammologist or mammologist-oncologist, who will examine and assess the condition of the mammary glands.

If the fears are confirmed, the woman will be sent for a breast ultrasound, mammography, MRI. Also, a cytological smear study and a breast biopsy will be mandatory.

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Tests

In addition to a number of procedures that help confirm or refute the fact of the presence of pathology of the mammary glands associated with burning in the nipples, there are several mandatory tests that provide an opportunity to determine and study the characteristics of a particular disease. For further analysis, the doctor is required to take blood and tissue from the affected area.

Blood tests can look for tumor markers, and tissue tests are done specifically to detect breast cancer.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Instrumental diagnostics involves conducting a series of examinations using special devices. It consists of:

  • digital mammography;
  • ultrasound examination of the breast;
  • magnetic resonance imaging;
  • thermography, etc.

The most important method of early instrumental diagnostics of pathological changes in the mammary glands is considered to be mammography. With its help, doctors determine the presence of cancer, the size of the tumor, the nature of its spread. An equally important method is ultrasound of the mammary glands. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows you to detect the presence of cancer at the earliest stages of its appearance and development.

What do need to examine?

Differential diagnosis

In addition to instrumental wide application, differential diagnostics of mammary gland diseases is also known, the main symptoms of which are burning in the nipples and other discomforting sensations in the chest area. This method is characterized by the possibility of establishing the only correct diagnosis, which allows specialists to prescribe an adequate course of treatment as quickly as possible.

During differential diagnostics, the patient is excluded from those diseases that do not fit certain symptoms and factors, resulting in a 100% correct diagnosis.

Treatment nipple burning

Burning nipples due to cracks can be treated with various herbs and pharmaceuticals. When it comes to more serious diseases, such as mastitis or Paget's disease, it makes sense to talk about drug treatment and even surgery. In the case of Paget's disease, only surgical intervention in the form of an operation is practiced. During this process, the surgeon removes the breast and the membrane under the pectoral muscles. As an additional treatment, radiation therapy is usually used. Treatment of mastitis at the initial stage involves the use of drug therapy. When it comes to acute purulent mastitis, it makes sense to talk about surgical intervention, the essence of which is the removal of abscesses with thick pus.

In any case, you should not diagnose yourself and resort to self-medication, because only a specialist in this field can prescribe an adequate course of treatment.

Medicines

According to many doctors and women who at one time faced the problem of cracked nipples, the most effective means are healing creams, among which Bepanten, Solcoseryl ointment, as well as Purelan or Lansino cream deserve special attention.

Let's not forget about natural remedies, such as calendula extract, sea buckthorn oil, etc. Solcoseryl "glues" deep painful cracks. In cases of mastitis, antibiotics or antiseptics are used, and when purulent sacs appear, only surgical intervention is used.

Folk remedies for burning nipples

One of the folk methods of treating mastitis is applying grated carrots, fresh cabbage leaves, coltsfoot, and burdock to the affected area of the breast.

It is effective to use rice starch, which must be combined with water and stirred until a creamy consistency is obtained. The healing "porridge" applied to a bandage and applied to the sore spot promotes the resorption of hardening within 3 hours after application.

Potato starch also has excellent healing properties, which, in combination with sunflower oil, can also work wonders in healing sore breasts.

Florists can use their hobby as a folk remedy for burning nipples. In this case, a daffodil bulb will come in handy, which must be peeled and chopped. Then combine it with rice porridge and apply the resulting "medicine" to the affected breast.

For cracked nipples, you can prepare St. John's wort oil. To do this, dry St. John's wort, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, should be poured with sunflower oil, which is in every housewife's kitchen. Cover the jar with gauze and place it in a container with cold water, which in turn is put on the fire. As soon as the water boils, it's time to time it for half an hour, then cool the St. John's wort oil and apply it to cracked nipples. Sea buckthorn oil, as well as regular finely grated beetroot, are considered to be no less effective folk remedies for the symptom in question.

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Herbal treatment

Remember, before self-medicating, be sure to consult a doctor.

Sage has good medicinal properties in cases of postpartum mastitis. Many women know about the properties of sage as a way to reduce milk production, so to prepare a herbal medicine, pour a dessert spoon of dried sage with a glass of boiling water. Drink the resulting drink hot instead of tea until the symptoms of mastitis completely disappear.

Homeopathy

In the case of mastopathy, a homeopathic doctor may recommend taking Mastodinon or Mastopol. The first drug can be taken in the form of drops (30 drops for 1.5-2 months) or tablets (1 tablet 2 times a day). Mastopol helps reduce swelling and soreness of the mammary glands. As a rule, homeopathy is an additional method of treatment and is not considered the main way to get rid of mammary gland diseases, including burning in the nipples.

Prevention

In order to avoid breast problems in the future, and to forget about burning in the nipples as a bad dream, it is very important to properly monitor yourself and the condition of your mammary glands.

As preventive measures related to cracked nipples, it is necessary to choose the right underwear, take “air baths”, “harden” the breasts with cool water, massage the skin around the nipples, use breast pads, make friends with lanolin-based ointments, which, by the way, do not need to be washed off before the next feeding, which cannot be said about Bepanten and other products.

The best way to prevent any diseases accompanied by burning in the nipples is regular examination by a mammologist and compliance with personal hygiene rules. You can also conduct an examination at home by palpation. If you find seals, discharge from the nipples, or changes in the shape of the breast, be sure to contact a specialist.

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Forecast

The prognosis for this symptom is favorable in most cases. Burning in the nipples is a common symptom of pathological conditions and diseases of the mammary gland, so it is very important to promptly seek qualified help from a specialist. With adequate treatment in the future, a relapse of a particular disease can be avoided.

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