Sore nipples are a surprisingly common, but, understandably, somewhat embarrassing problem. Often, they're a recurring annoyance in a woman's life - about a week before (or during) a woman's period, for instance, the nipples sometimes become unbearably sore. However, this doesn't just affect women on their periods - it can also be caused by breastfeeding, pregnancy, a host of other causes, and, in rare, serious cases, breast cancer. Even men can get sore nipples (from friction caused by a shirt, for instance). See Step 1 below to get started soothing your sore nipples and determining whether they have a serious underlying cause.
1Find the cause of your sore nipples. Sore nipples can occur for a surprising range of reasons. To begin soothing your nipple pain, it's smart to try to determine its root cause. If you can determine the cause, you'll know what to treat to eliminate your nipple pain. If you can't determine a cause, you'll know that there's chance, albeit a small one, that your nipple pain is the sign of something more serious, and you'll know to go to a doctor. Below are most causes of nipple pain:
- During your menstruation, or up to a week before, levels of the hormone called progesterone go up, potentially causing your breasts and/or nipples to be tender.
- During and after pregnancy, sore nipples are a common problem. Like during a period, hormonal fluctuations can cause nipple pain.
- Hormone imbalances during menopause can also contribute to nipple soreness.
- Breast feeding can cause nipple pain. This may be attributed to poor feeding techniques, incorrect position of the baby when feeding, and neglecting to care for your nipples after breastfeeding.
- Irritation from clothing can chafe and inflame the nipples. This is especially true in the case of ill-fitting clothing or bras and clothes that have been washed with an irritating detergent.
- Believe it or not, especially large, heavy breasts can suffer from frequent nipple pain, owing to the increased levels of tension in the breasts.
- Some medications can also cause sore nipples. These include certain contraceptives, hormonal replacement therapy drugs, and certain anti-depressants.
- Though rare, pain in the breast or nipple can also be caused by a serious condition like breast cancer, infection, or heart disease.
- Finally, nipple soreness can be the result of any number of common ailments that cause skin pain - rashes, local infections, etc.
2Know when to consult a doctor. Because nipple pain can occasionally be a warning sign for a more serious condition, it's important to notify a doctor when you have reason to believe that nipple pain doesn't have a benign cause. If none of the common causes above apply to you, make an appointment to talk to your doctor in the near future. Additionally, look for any of the following accompanying symptoms and call a doctor if you observe them:
- Itchiness and swelling in the nipple, intense tenderness and pain, formation of cracks around the nipples, bleeding, lumps or bumps around the areola, and nipple discharge.
- Additionally, you should talk to a doctor if only one nipple exhibits symptoms.
3Use a compress. For routine, normal nipple pain, applying gentle pressure and heat or cold can ease discomfort and aid healing. Simple warm and cold compresses are easy to make at home, so they're a quick and easy way to soothe your nipples.
- Whether you use a hot or cold compress on your nipples, be sure to separate the compress from the skin with a towel. Direct contact can cause burns or skin damage.
- For added mobility, you may also tie the compress to the breast in question (or insert it into a bra) for roughly 20 minutes, then remove and take a 2 hour break before reapplying.
- Note - don't use a warm compress on a nipple that is already hot and swollen to the touch. Warm compresses bring more blood to the area they touch, which can worsen a hot, swollen wound.
4If your nipples have a minor surface irritation, wash, dry, and care for them. Take a cleansing shower, taking care to delicately clean your nipples. Thoroughly and carefully dry off after your shower. When dry, your nipples may be tender, sore, and/or inflamed.
- If your sore nipples are caused by dry skin, rub some soothing cold cream or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) into your nipples and continue to apply the cold cream/jelly every few hours for a few days.
- If your sore nipples are caused by a fungal infection, be sure they are kept dry. Apply a topical antifungal cream (like fluconazole) if needed. Avoid allowing your nipples to stay wet or sweaty for long periods of time.
5Change your cleaning products. The chemicals in certain soaps and detergents can be especially irritating to some peoples' nipples. Try using a gentle non-scented soap when washing your nipples and breasts. The chemicals in scented soaps can exacerbate irritation in your nipples. Additionally, try washing your clothing (especially any bras) with a milder detergent.
6Wear different clothing. If your nipple pain is caused by the physical action of your nipples rubbing against your shirt or bra, switch to clothes that protect your nipples better. Wear a comfortable, properly-fitting bra to keep your nipples stationary, especially when you exercise. Consider using a padded bra, if you don't already. You may also want to wear soft, loose clothing that won't rub on your breasts.
7Consider an alternative remedy. A variety of home remedies of dubious veracity exist for this common condition. Though some praise these techniques, they have not been proven by science to be effective. Never use an alternative remedy when there is a possibility that nipple soreness is a symptom of a serious condition, as this can delay proper medical diagnosis and treatment. Below are a few common home remedies, which, again, are not guaranteed to work.
- Do relaxation techniques. It is said by some (though rarely or never by scientists) that high levels of stress can cause soreness of the nipples and breast. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation can help you relax, reducing stress. If this works for you, the likely cause of your sore nipples is a hormonal imbalance, which may be associated with emotional stress and irritation.
- Make a cup of warm, herbal tea. Drink the tea slowly while using the remaining hot water to fill a hot water bottle. Lay this across the affected breast. The warmth of the water acts as a warm compress, while the tea can help focus and relax you, reducing stress that may be a contributing factor in your nipple soreness.
- See notes regarding warm compresses above.
- Eat fruits rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C rich foods such as oranges, limes, kiwis, lemons, and strawberries are thought by some (again, not by scientists) to help the nipples stay healthy. Despite popular belief, vitamin C is still not definitively known to improve immune function, so the usefulness of this method in combating even specific instances of nipple pain caused by infection is dubious.
8Prevent future pain by protecting your nipples. The best way to eliminate nipple pain from rubbing or irritation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This is especially important if you know you'll be doing something in the future that can irritate your nipples, like, for instance, running in a marathon. Believe it or not, nipple pain is no joke for runners - it's not uncommon for distance runners to suffer from painful, bloody nipples in the middle of a race. Here are just a few ideas for protecting your nipples:
- Tape or bandage your nipples. Using tape or bandages with a mild glue, cover your nipples before any activity that may irritate them.
- Use Vaseline. Apply Vaseline or a similar ointment to your nipples to reduce friction between the nipples and your shirt.
- Use a tight-fitting sports bra. Women have the option of buying a specially-designed sports bra. These bras hold the breasts in place, preventing movement during activities such as running that can cause friction against the fabric of a shirt.
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- Some chemists sell special tablets that are specifically made to lessen the pain in your nipples/breasts during a period, or not.
- Be careful if using a cold/hot compress not to overheat/over ice your breasts, as this may cause considerable more pain.
- It taking the pills mentioned in the tips, do not take more pills than advised by the doctor/chemist.
Things You'll Need
- Padded bra
- Hot/cold compress
- Loose clothes
- Cold cream
Categories: Pain Management and Recovery
Recent edits by: WanderWoman, Joe Forte, Imnotjustine
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