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Itching around nipples when breastfeeding makes mothers uncomfortable and significantly affects daily activities. The cause of this itching is due to many problems, possibly due to atopic dermatitis, unclean nipple hygiene, inappropriate bra selection,...
1. Causes of itching around nipples when breastfeeding
1.1 Atopic dermatitis When the mother has atopic dermatitis, it is inevitable that the nipple or the surrounding skin will be itchy and uncomfortable. The itching sensation may be accompanied by an outer rash with small blisters on the skin, exuding or crusting.
1.2 Improper cleaning of nipples Improper cleaning of the nipples and the skin around the nipples will cause itching, burning pain and flaking. Some mothers think that the nipple is a place that does not come into contact with the outside and also does not secrete like the private area, so it will be clean and do not need to change bras often. However, when breastfeeding, it is possible that milk will stagnate, not cleaning properly, will cause dirt to accumulate and cause itching around the nipple.
1.3 Mother has some skin diseases Contact dermatitis is a condition where a pregnant woman's nipples can come in contact with certain types of irritants such as shower gel, laundry soap, wool bra yarn, water. flowers, detergents, artificial fibers, ... cause itching on the skin around the nipple, small blisters and rashes appear, then gradually form hard scabs.
1.4 Inappropriate bra Wearing the wrong size and tight bra is also one of the causes of nipple itching. Besides, tight bras rubbing for many days will make the infection worse.
1.5 Inflammatory Breast Cancer Itching around the nipple during breastfeeding and the nipple area can be a symptom of a serious medical condition such as inflammatory breast cancer. This is a rare form of breast cancer that can cause itchy nipples and mammary glands. The first symptoms can be very similar to atopic dermatitis, so it is possible to confuse the two. In addition to the symptoms of itching, mothers need to observe conditions such as:
Red breast skin There is a lump in the breast The nipple is indented Nipple discharge The skin on the nipple and breast changes Besides, itching and Heat in the chest area can also be a sign of breast cancer. Therefore, if abnormal symptoms appear, it is necessary to immediately go to a medical facility for examination and evaluation.
2. Dealing with itching around nipples when breastfeeding
Some remedies to help reduce itching around nipples while breastfeeding include:
Do not use soap to wash nipples and areolas in the last months of pregnancy, because soap can cause nipples irritated, drier. When breastfeeding begins, the discomfort will increase. Clean the nipple area after each feeding and dry. A few drops of breast milk can be applied and left to dry to prevent the area from drying out and causing itching. Should let the nipples are exposed to the air, choose the right size bra and should not wear too tight. During breastfeeding, the breast area will often be erect, so massage is a way to make the breasts stronger, hot compresses before feeding also help milk come back faster and prevent itching. Breast. You should add enough nutrients and vitamins from daily foods to strengthen the body's resistance. If the uncomfortable itching persists, it is necessary to see a doctor to find out the cause and can intervene promptly. In summary, itchy nipples when breastfeeding have many causes, the most common being due to improper hygiene and choosing the wrong bra. Therefore, after breastfeeding, mothers need to clean the nipple area and surrounding skin to limit infection. Besides, symptoms of itching can be a dangerous condition, so if itching around the nipples persists and shows unusual symptoms, it is necessary to immediately seek medical attention.
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