Have you ever felt an itchy sensation in your breasts? This is a fairly common complaint experienced by women. Mild itching without other symptoms such as swelling, rash, pain and redness is generally not dangerous. However, intense itching can certainly interfere with activities.
So, what causes itching in the breasts and how to deal with it?
Causes of Itchy Breasts
There are many factors that can cause breast itching, ranging from mild to serious. Here are some of them:
1. Irritation
Friction with clothing, especially bras that are too tight, can cause irritation to the skin of the breasts and nipples. This can trigger itching, redness, and even sores. Irritation can also occur due to using soap or detergent products that are not suitable for the skin.
2. Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause various changes in a woman's body, including the breasts. An increase in breast size can stretch the surrounding skin, causing itching and dryness.
3. Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue that usually occurs in breastfeeding mothers. This condition can cause itchy, swollen, red and painful nipples, especially when breastfeeding.
4. Menopause
Approaching menopause, levels of the hormone estrogen in a woman's body decrease. This causes the skin to become thinner, dry and easily irritated, including in the breast area.
5. Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition characterized by itching, dryness, scalyness and redness. Eczema on the breasts can recur and come back if not treated properly.
6. Prurigo
Pregnancy prurigo is a skin condition characterized by small, itchy bumps in the breast area and other parts of the body. This condition usually appears in the third trimester of pregnancy and will disappear by itself after giving birth.
7. Pregnancy Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques (PUPPP)
PUPPP is a skin condition that rarely occurs in pregnant women. Symptoms include itching, small bumps, and a red rash on the stomach, chest, back, and thighs.
How to Treat Itchy Breasts
Here are some easy tips for dealing with itchy breasts:
1. Use Comfortable Bra
Use a soft and supportive cotton bra. Avoid lacy bras and other synthetic materials that can irritate the skin. Make sure the bra is not too tight and has enough room for the breasts.
2. Avoid Scratching
Scratching feels good when it itches, but hold back! Scratching will only make the itching worse and potentially cause injury.
3. Use Soap
When showering, use soap specially formulated for sensitive skin. Avoid soaps containing fragrances and harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin. Make sure the breast area is completely dry after showering before wearing a bra.
4. Protect from Sunlight
Exposure to direct sunlight can make itching worse. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect the breast area when doing outdoor activities.
5. Relieve Itching with Medication
If the itching is triggered by allergies, you can use antihistamines to relieve it. Consult a doctor or pharmacist to get the right medicine.
6. Treat Mastitis with Antibiotics
Itching due to mastitis, which is an infection of the breast, requires medical treatment. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and relieve itching.
Itching in the breasts is often experienced by women, and the causes vary. Although common,Don't ignore this itching, especially if it interferes with your daily activities. Therefore,It is important to find out the cause of breast itching and find the right solution.
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