Burning of the nipple

definition

Burning, painful nipples can have various causes and occur on one side or on both sides. The distinction between unilateral and bilateral is important for finding the cause, as is whether a secretion is also secreted from the nipples. Often it is hormonal changes during the female cycle or pregnancy that make the nipples sensitive. Especially shortly before menstruation, many women report a feeling of tension in both breasts and sensitive nipples. But mechanical irritation, e.g. A poorly fitting bra or nipple rubbing while exercising can cause nipples to burn.

Causes of burning sensation on the nipple

Many women feel tight in both breasts shortly before their period, at the same time the nipples are very sensitive and can even burn. The reason for this is the hormonal fluctuations in the female cycle. There are also significant hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can be accompanied by increased sensitivity and sensitivity to pain in the nipples. During breastfeeding, many small micro-injuries caused by sucking the child, especially at the beginning of breastfeeding, lead to sore, burning nipples.

In addition, rubbing of the nipples caused by an incorrectly fitting bra or abrasive sportswear leads to permanent irritation of the sensitive skin of the nipples, which can manifest itself as a burning sensation. Skin diseases such as neurodermatitis also often manifest themselves in adults on the nipples, which leads to an inflammatory skin change (eczema).

Burning nipples accompanied by a heated, painful breast can also be signs of a breast infection (mastitis) be. This occurs in both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, the triggering bacteria often get into the tissue through small cracks in the nipple (e.g. when breastfeeding, through piercings). Finally, a one-sided burning sensation in the nipple can very rarely be an indication of a specific type of breast cancer (Paget's disease of the nipple or inflammatory breast cancer). For this reason, a long-lasting burning sensation and skin changes on the nipple should always be seen by the doctor.

Breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, especially in the initial phase, there are often small tears in the nipples, which can be very painful due to the constant strain on the breast by the child. Many women suffer from sore, downright burning nipples during this time. It can help to optimize the application technique so that the nipples are stressed as little as possible. Cooling between breastfeeding periods can also soothe burning nipples. There are also a number of aids such as nipple shields or nipple ointments that can provide relief.

Read more about this: Breastfeeding

pill

Depending on the type of birth control pill, it contains different concentrations of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which mimic the female cycle. The artificially supplied hormones lead to a number of changes in the female body. The estrogens cause glandular growth in the breast, as a result of which the breasts can become uncomfortably tight and the nipples also become sensitive and can burn painfully. If these symptoms do not subside in the course of the first few weeks after taking the pill for the first time, you should talk to your gynecologist about changing the pill.

More information on this: The birth control pill

diagnosis

If the nipple burns for a long time, a doctor should be consulted to rule out serious causes. The suitable specialist would be your own gynecologist. The doctor can draw initial conclusions by looking at the nipple (has it changed externally? Are there any signs of inflammation?) And then palpate the breast for further changes. In most cases a cause can already be found through the consultation with a doctor. Further examinations such as a blood sample or ultrasound examination are used in the case of special suspected diagnoses (e.g. breast inflammation, benign or malignant tumor).

Concomitant symptoms

The symptoms that accompany the burning sensation in the nipples depend on the cause. If there are sensitive nipples due to hormonal fluctuations, this often leads to an uncomfortable feeling of tension in the breasts. It can also lead to water retention in other parts of the body such as the legs. The hormonal change can also have an impact on the mood, so that it can fluctuate greatly.

In the case of breast inflammation (mastitis), the nipples burn painfully and the breasts are overheated and painful. It is also not uncommon for a fever to occur, which can be accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpits. Burning nipples in women who are breastfeeding are often swollen, red, and may have small cracks and bleeding. Burning of the nipples caused by friction (wrong bra, scratchy sportswear) can also cause redness and swelling of the nipples. If the burning of the nipples is caused by a skin disease such as neurodermatitis, skin changes in the form of eczema are visible. It is an inflammatory skin disease that can show up as redness, flaking, and the formation of small pimples or blisters.

also read: Pain in the nipple

Special circumstances of burning on the nipple

Burning sensation on the nipple during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the concentration of female sex hormones increases. These cause a series of changes in the entire body in order to prepare it for the growing child and the birth. Among other things, there is glandular growth in the breast, which can lead to a feeling of tension. In addition, the nipples can become darker and more sensitive. In extreme cases, the nipples can burn uncomfortably, which is exacerbated by bras that are too tight and made of less skin-friendly material.

You might also be interested in: Breast changes in pregnancy

Can a burning nipple be a sign of pregnancy?

Sensitive breasts and nipples almost always occur during pregnancy. Often these symptoms are noticed by the pregnant woman before a positive pregnancy test. The other way around, however, not every sensitivity of the nipples is a sign of pregnancy. The uncomfortable burning sensation is often due to the hormonal changes during the monthly cycle. However, if you miss your period and the sensitive nipples have been there for a long time, pregnancy is suspected, so a test should be carried out.

Read more about this under: Signs of pregnancy

Burning nipple before your period

Many women suffer from a number of symptoms a few days before their period starts, which are summarized under the term "premenstrual syndrome". In addition to fatigue, mood swings, abdominal pain and water retention, there is often a feeling of tension in the breasts and sensitive nipples. The symptoms subside after a few days and usually with the onset of your period. However, if the symptoms are so pronounced that they severely limit the person affected in everyday life, the gynecologist should be discussed about the use of medication (e.g. anti-baby pill).

Burning sensation on the nipple after ovulation

Ovulation takes place about 14 days before the menstrual period. This is relevant in that the days around ovulation are the most fertile days in a woman's cycle. There are a number of signs that you are ovulating, including an increase in body temperature, changes in cervical mucus, and tender breasts and nipples. However, these tips are all quite uncertain, so that they are less suitable for contraception than for planning if you want to have children.

therapy

How the nipple burning sensation can be treated always depends on the trigger. For sensitive nipples that are caused by hormonal fluctuations, it can help to cool the nipples slightly. If the burning sensation is due to mechanical irritation from the bra, it can help to get advice when buying a new bra and thus guarantee a softer material and a good fit. Breastfeeding women can try to provide relief with a nipple shield or nipple ointment. By optimizing the breastfeeding technique, the stress on the nipples can also be reduced.

If the burning sensation is due to a skin disease such as neurodermatitis, the doctor (usually dermatologist) can prescribe special creams and ointments against the inflammatory skin changes. If the nipples are burning due to breast inflammation (mastitis), antibiotics and pain and fever-reducing agents (e.g. ibuprofen) are usually necessary. Cooling with moist compresses can also provide relief.

Duration

If a burning sensation can be traced back to sensitive nipples with hormonal fluctuations, the symptoms often subside after a few days. Even during breastfeeding, the burning sensation often subsides after a few days and weeks, when mother and child have found the optimal breastfeeding position and the nipples have got used to the strain. A burning sensation in the nipples caused by breast inflammation (mastitis) can be treated well with antibiotics so that the symptoms subside after a few days. If the burning sensation lasts for several weeks and there are also changes in the nipple, a doctor should be consulted to rule out serious causes. In the worst case, a benign or malignant tumor (Paget's disease, inflammatory breast cancer) can be behind the therapy-resistant burning sensation.