We all get an itch from time to time and while in most cases it isn't a cause of concern, in some cases it may be a sign that you need to see a doctor. If you are experiencing itchy breasts, here are 6 possible causes:
Mastitis
Another unusual but important cause is a condition known as Paget's disease of the breast. In a very remote possibility, cancer cells might make their way via the milk ducts and finally establish themselves in the breast tissue close to the nipple.
Several symptoms may be identified by Paget's disease, including nipple inversion, red nipple discharge, and dry or scaly skin in the area around the nipple.
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin illness characterized by dry, itchy inflammation that may emerge as a scaly rash, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) definition.
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It is possible to obtain it anywhere on your body, including your breasts; however, the backs of the knees and the wrinkles of the elbows are the most common places where it may be found.
If you also have dry, itchy, or cracked skin around the nipple area, you may have eczema, which is one of the potential causes of consistently itchy breasts.
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Psoriasis
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common type of psoriasis that affects the skin is plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis is characterized by dry, scaly, and itchy plaques on the scalp, lower back, elbows, and knees.
This condition occurs when the immune system assaults healthy skin cells in error. Psoriasis, like eczema, has the potential to present itself on the breasts or below them unfavorably. (Because of this, in addition to the fact that both disorders are frustrating, there is a possibility that psoriasis and eczema will be confused with one another.)
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Yeast Infection
When most people think of this issue, the first thing that comes to mind is a yeast infection in the vaginal area. Since these disorders have been connected to symptoms such as abnormal discharge and edema, it wouldn't be erroneous for you to believe that they may impact the vagina. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to infer that they may affect the vagina.
Yeast infections under the breast, on the other hand, are rather prevalent. If you perspire heavily in that area, the moisture may accumulate and feed the yeast, which causes itching in your breasts. This may be quite uncomfortable. Other symptoms, such as a rash that is red in color, pimple-like bumps on the skin, burning, or skin spots that discharge clear fluid, are all possible manifestations of the condition.
Cancer
Regarding the reasons for itching in the breasts, breast cancer is a far less likely culprit than any of the other potential causes stated.
However, there is always the remote possibility that you have inflammatory breast cancer, which is a particularly aggressive subtype of the disease that manifests as an inflammatory reaction after invading the dermis.
Although this is possible, you would rarely have this form of breast cancer (the layer of skin directly under the epidermis, the outer layer of skin). Inflammatory breast cancer often manifests with additional symptoms such as rashes, orange peel, and hot, reddened skin.
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Dry Skin
The itchiness may come from dry skin anywhere on the body. Itchy boobs or nipples might be due to good ol' fashioned dry skin. The cold, dry air outdoors in the winter may be incredibly harmful to the skin, which already has a tough time. Indoor heating often drains humidity and leaves dry air in its wake, so the toasty air inside isn't doing you any favors.
Because many women who have breasts are guilty of forgetting to moisturize that area, it is particularly essential to keep in mind to do so if the temperature drops below freezing.
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If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician.
