7 reasons why your nipples itch and how to treat each one

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• Itchy nipples can be an irritation from the dye on your clothes, detergent, or topical products. 
• If your nipples are also dry or cracked and you see blisters, you may have a yeast infection.
• If you get itchy nipples after running, you can use petroleum jelly to soothe chafing.

An itchy nipple can be annoying or downright painful. And itchy nipples are pretty common considering nipples are sensitive and easily susceptible to irritation. 

Any rash or discomfort you have may be localized to the nipple itself, or it can also affect the areola, which is the ring of darker skin surrounding the nipple. Depending on the cause, it may even extend beyond this.

Since nipples are sensitive, it's fairly common to experience itching. If the itchiness is one-off and fleeting, it likely isn't a cause for concern. But if it's persistent and causing you distress, there may be a underlying medical cause like contact dermatitis or, more rare, cancer. 

Here are seven causes of itchy nipples and how to treat them. 

1. Eczema

Eczema can result in red, scaly, itchy patches on the areola and around the nipple, says Kellie Reed, MD, a dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology.

This is a chronic condition, and if you're experiencing it on or near your nipples, chances are you've had it on other body parts, too. Eczema is caused by a variety of elements including immune system functioning, genetics, stress, and environmental factors.  

If your eczema is more severe, you may also have symptoms like small bumps that leak fluid when you scratch them or raw and sensitive skin from itching too much.

How to treat it: Reed says the most common treatment is using topical steroids, which can reduce inflammation and itching. These can be either over-the-counter or prescription.

In more severe cases, you may be prescribed antihistamines or corticosteroids that you take by mouth. Additionally, home remedies like using unscented moisturizers or petroleum jelly can help to heal the skin and lock in moisture, says Reed.

2. Contact dermatitis 

There are a couple of different types of contact dermatitis:

• Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when you come into contact with something you're allergic to, Reed says. 
• Irritant contact dermatitis is when you're exposed to something that irritates your skin as opposed to an allergen that triggers an immune mediated response, Reed says. Reed says irritant contact dermatitis is more immediate and can be more painful than allergic contact dermatitis. 

Either way, contact dermatitis typically presents as red, dry itchy skin. The rash and itching might extend past your nipples and areolas, wherever the irritant or allergen has been on your skin. 

Other potential symptoms include:

• Scaly or cracked skin
• Blisters that may ooze or crust over
• Tenderness
• Swelling

With the nipples, contact dermatitis often occurs when you start using a new product, says Jeffrey Hsu, MD, dermatologist at Oak Dermatology. Hsu says some common culprits may be:

• Soap
• Detergent
• Lotion
• Clothing or bras (can be due to the fabric or dye)

How to treat it: The key is to identify the allergen or irritant you've been exposed to and then avoid it in the future. Allergy testing may be necessary in some cases.

If you suspect a product has given you contact dermatitis, Hsu says you can try to switch back to your old products and see if the problem resolves itself. You may also want to take steps like:

• Sticking to hypoallergenic, unscented, dye-free soaps
• Opting for natural fabrics like cotton rather than synthetic materials like polyester

Aside from identifying and avoiding the irritant, Reed says you can treat your symptoms with a topical steroid cream to reduce inflammation and itchiness. You can also take oral steroids or antihistamines, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

3. Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes, like from pregnancy or menopause, can cause itchy nipples. 

• With pregnancy, there may be a combination of hormones causing the skin to be more sensitive and itchy as the breasts swell, says Hsu. You may also experience symptoms like frequent urination, nausea, and breast tenderness. 
• With menopause, hormonal changes and drops in estrogen may cause the skin to become thinner and drier, also resulting in itchiness, Hsu says. Menopause may also cause hot flashes, thinning hair, and trouble sleeping.

How to treat it: Be patient during these times of major hormone shifts. Hsu says you can try to frequently moisturize your skin with something like cocoa butter or petroleum jelly. Using only mild cleansers and reducing excessively hot showers can also help, Hsu says. 

4. Yeast infection

A fungal yeast infection of the nipples can occur if there's an overgrowth of candida yeast. Hsu says this is common for people who are nursing since the moisture makes a good environment for the yeast to grow. 

Additionally, if the baby that's nursing has oral thrush (an oral yeast infection), it can be passed on to your nipples. 

Aside from itchy nipples, other symptoms of a nipple yeast infection are:

• Dry, cracked, flaky skin on the nipples and areolas
• Small blisters
• Change in nipple color (can range from bright pink to red)
• Burning nipples 

How to treat it: Treatment consists of antifungal medications to stop the infection, says Hsu. Depending on the situation, you might be prescribed a topical antifungal cream or oral antifungal pills alongside a steroid cream to reduce your symptoms. 

If your baby has oral thrush, treatment is necessary for them, too. 

5. Chafing

When fabric rubs against your nipples, it can cause chafing. Hsu says this may start as itchiness and irritation, but it can escalate to pain and bleeding in more severe cases. 

This is a common occurrence for people who exercise frequently like long distance runners, which may explain why this phenomenon is also called "jogger's nipple." However, chafing can occur in other cases too, such as if you are going braless and wearing a shirt that's rubbing you the wrong way.

How to treat it: Hsu says one quick fix is to apply petroleum jelly to the nipples to reduce additional friction and to soothe raw skin. 

To prevent chafing in the future, when you exercise you may also cover your nipples with gauze and medical tape, or wear shirts specifically designed for exercise that can help stave off irritation. Look for shirts targeted towards runners that are made of synthetic material rather than cotton and have moisture-wicking properties.

6. Hyperkeratosis

Hyperkeratosis is when there's a thickening of the skin. With hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola, Reed says that you might notice warty and pigmented appearance alongside the thickening of the skin. 

This rare condition is typically asymptomatic aside from itchiness, and it is benign. Hormones are believed to play a part in this, since 80% of cases are in women, particularly when pregnant. 

How to treat it: Hyperkeratosis will not go away on its own. It's benign, so treatment isn't medically necessary. However, if you're uncomfortable or don't like the appearance, you can opt for treatment. 

You can use topical treatments such as salicylic acid, but typically best results are achieved with cryotherapy, where you freeze off the lesion, says Reed. 

In more severe cases where these treatment options don't work and there's discomfort and cosmetic concerns, a doctor may need to surgically remove the lesions.

7.  Paget's Disease 

Paget's disease is rare, but it's also the most alarming cause of itchy nipples since it's a type of breast cancer. 

Hsu says Paget's disease can be tricky to identify since it may look similar to eczema, appearing red, crusty, and scaly. 

However, unlike eczema, it typically only affects one nipple. Additional symptoms include:

• Oozing skin on the nipple and areola
• Burning or tingling of the nipples
• Nipple discharge
• Changes to nipple shape (turning flat or inverted)
• Breast skin thickening
• Feeling a lump inside the breast

How to treat it: Various imaging tests, mammograms, or biopsies can be conducted if Padget's disease is expected. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment typically includes surgery which may be followed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy.

Insider's takeaway

The causes of itchy nipples can range from something minor like irritation from using a new soap to something much more serious, like cancer. 

If home remedies like moisturizing your nipples aren't doing the trick, see your dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis and subsequent course of treatment for relief. 

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