Itching in the mammary gland: what are the causes?

Itching in the mammary gland, like any other localized pruritus, manifests itself as irritating and extremely uncomfortable (up to burning skin) sensations, which are accompanied by an almost irresistible desire to scratch the itchy area.

And scratching is harmful because, firstly, it does not help to get rid of the irritation of the nerve endings, which causes these sensations. And, secondly, it can lead to excoriation, that is, scratching.

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Causes itchy mammary glands

In general, itching is a peculiar reaction of postsynaptic neurons of the autonomic nervous system to certain irritants. Dermatologists name the most probable causes of itching of the mammary glands as excessive dryness of the epidermis (due to lack of moisture); exposure to chemicals that get on the skin, as well as a common skin pathology - dermatitis. Thus, the occurrence of contact dermatitis (with itching, redness of the skin and swelling) provokes the negative impact on the delicate skin of the chest of chemicals in soap, shower gels, bath foams, as well as skin care products and, of course, washing powders for clothes.

By the way, about clothes, or more precisely about bras. Allergists may assume the manifestation of an allergic reaction (especially with a genetically determined tendency to sensitization) to synthetic materials used in sewing women's underwear. However, an allergy may have nothing to do with it if the bra is simply tight and rubs the skin on the chest, causing itching. A neurologist - in the absence of obvious dermatological and allergic causes of itching - will certainly suspect its psychogenic etiology, that is, as a reaction of the body to stress.

All doctors say: if women abuse topless sunbathing or regularly “tan” in a solarium, this can lead not only to itchy skin on the chest, but also to much more serious dermatological problems.

Endocrinologists also observe itching in the mammary gland in diabetes (up to autoimmune diabetic mastopathy) and thyroid problems (hypothyroidism), and gynecologists - in ovarian dysfunction and hormonal imbalance. And each of the specialists has grounds for their own version.

But since the localization of itching concerns the organ of the female reproductive system, then its etiology is best understood by gynecologists and mammologists. As these specialists note, this symptom is caused by the natural process of formation of mammary glands in teenage girls - under the influence of estrogen. Women during menopause, on the contrary, feel itching in the mammary glands due to an age-related decrease in the production of this hormone. Young women may complain that "the breasts itch often and strongly", not suspecting that this is one of the consequences of using oral contraceptives containing steroid sex hormones. And in pregnant women - with a general increased secretion of sex hormones - the mammary glands are preparing for lactation, and therefore they can itch.

Breastfeeding women also often feel itching in the mammary glands - due to the stretching of the skin associated with their enlargement. In addition, when breastfeeding babies, itching of the nipple of the mammary gland occurs. It can be caused not only by injury to the skin of the nipple during feeding, but also by possible infection with a fungus of the genus Candida - when the baby has thrush in the mouth.

If - in addition to itching - small blisters appear in the nipple area that burst with the formation of ulcers and crusts, then this is nipple eczema. It should also be taken into account that, having some similarity with dermatological pathologies, itching of the nipple of the mammary gland can be one of the symptoms of eczema-like cancer of the nipple of the mammary gland - Paget's disease. Mammologists warn: itching in the mammary gland should be taken very seriously by women, since breast pathology of an oncological nature cannot be ruled out, especially when such diseases were in the family on the female side.

But itching under the mammary glands is most often associated with hyperhidrosis (increased sweating). The simplest option: accumulation of sweat (especially in the warm season), reddening of the skin and itching under the massive breasts of overweight women. In this case, the dermatologist will determine intertriginous dermatitis, that is, ordinary diaper rash, at first glance. And if the patient has weeping itchy lesions, hyperemia and pustules in the folds under the breast, a more unpleasant diagnosis may sound: yeast diaper rash or intertriginous candidiasis.

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Diagnostics itchy mammary glands

Based on the “range” of causes of this symptom, diagnosis of itching in the mammary gland can be carried out by all the previously listed specialists, but you need to start with a gynecologist or mammologist.

If anamnesis, examination and palpation of the breast are not enough, then it is necessary:

• take a general blood and urine test
• get a blood sugar test;
• take a blood test to determine the level of estradiol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid hormones;
• undergo a mammogram (x-ray of the mammary glands);
• examine the mammary glands using ultrasound (US).

If necessary, doctors prescribe an allergological and immunological examination. It is possible that a histological analysis of a tissue sample from the itchy area of skin (biopsy) will be required.

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Treatment itchy mammary glands

Itching of the mammary glands is a symptom, and a symptom always has a cause. So, to know exactly how to remove itching of the mammary glands, you need to find out the cause of its occurrence. This again suggests that in most cases you cannot do without qualified medical care.

Of course, if you put a compress with sodium bicarbonate on the itchy chest, it will itch less. For the compress, you will need water at room temperature (200 ml), a teaspoon of baking soda and cotton cloth (for example, a piece of gauze). Dissolve the soda in water, soak the cloth in the solution, squeeze it out and put it on the chest for 10 minutes.

If you know for sure that synthetic bras are to blame, simply replace them with underwear made of natural fabrics. If you suspect that the skin on your chest is itchy from detergents, switch to baby soap and lubricate the skin with olive oil or baby cream.

If dermatitis or allergies are diagnosed, doctors prescribe medications - antihistamines that block H-1-histamine receptors and relieve itching. For example, this could be Tavegil (other trade names - Clemastine, Angistan, Fumartin, etc.), which is recommended to be taken one tablet (0.001 g) twice a day. But neither pregnant nor lactating women should take this drug (like other drugs in this group). In addition, side effects of Tavegil may include headaches, dry mouth, nausea and constipation.

For itching in the mammary glands in women during menopause and climacteric, a gynecologist may recommend short-term use of the combination drug Bellergal - one tablet twice a day (morning and evening), the course of therapy is 7 days. The drug is contraindicated if a woman has high blood pressure, angina, kidney or liver problems.

Doctors also recommend taking vitamins of group B and vitamins A, C, E. In general, in almost all cases, pruritis can be dealt with. But only a specialist can tell you how to do it correctly if itching in the mammary gland bothers you. So don't scratch yourself, but go to the doctor!