Why are My Breasts Itchy?
Constantly feeling the need to scratch your breasts? It’s a common complaint that, in some cases, can be a sign of something more serious. Abby Sexton, DO, UnityPoint Health, shares common (and not so common) reasons for itchy breasts and when it might be time to see a doctor.
Why are My Boobs Itchy?
While irritating, Dr. Sexton assures that common causes for itchy breasts are usually harmless. In some cases, though, a work-up is needed if the first line of treatment doesn’t take care of the problem. Reasons for itchy breasts can range from any of the following:
Irritation from Clothing, Soaps or Lotions
Products that touch the breasts, such as clothing, soaps, lotions or laundry detergents, can cause itching and/or allergic reactions. This is easily resolved by switching out your irritation-inducing products or fabrics.
“If you try a new product and get a rash on your breast that causes itching, have it examined by your medical provider just to make sure it’s from a skin condition, like contact dermatitis, versus something else that deserves a work-up,” Dr Sexton says.
Your primary care provider, OB/GYN or a dermatologist can help.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormonal changes, especially the closer it is to a woman’s menstrual cycle, can cause an itchy breast with no rash. As estrogen levels increase, there’s more blood flow to the breasts, making them feel tender, swollen and itchy. If itchy breasts around your period happen regularly, or just occasionally, try not to stress as this isn’t usually a cause for concern.
Skin Conditions
Breast eczema and intertrigo can cause itchy rashes on, under and between the breasts.
Eczema can present anywhere on the breast, including around the nipple, and looks similar to more worrisome conditions. It may feel itchy and look red, inflamed, flaky or scaly. Dr. Sexton recommends a biopsy to determine the cause.
Intertrigo looks like a yeast rash. It’s often in the midline of the cleavage or underneath the breasts. It’s caused by friction and moisture between skin folds. It can be itchy or painful and appear bright red and irritated. In some cases, blisters or cracks may form in the affected area.
Sweat or Heat Rash
A sweat and heat rash look similar and form in areas on the breasts where clothing or skin rubs together. For instance, a sweat or heat rash can appear under the breast — or on the side — due to the band of a sports bra or underwire of a regular bra. Dr. Sexton describes a heat or sweat rash on the breast as being red and bumpy. It can be itchy and painful, too.
“It goes away over time. If you have a rash like that, opt for loose-fitting clothing. Try not to sweat for a while and air out the area,” Dr. Sexton says.
Breast Infections
If you see a rash on the breast while breastfeeding, it’s likely mastitis, a common breast infection that’s itchy and painful. With mastitis, the breast feels warm and hardened, while appearing red and swollen. You’ll likely experience a fever, chills, fatigue and feel like you have the flu.
A breast abscess can also form if you have mastitis. It looks like a red, swollen and/or tender lump and feels painful.
Ingrown or Inflamed Hair Follicles
Ingrown hairs look like little pimples on the breast or around the nipple. Inflamed hair follicles can be larger and look like a small abscess on the breast.
“I recommend being seen for those to ensure you don’t have an actual abscess,” she says.
A breast abscess looks like a red, tender and swollen lump. It can be warm and have discharge. They’re typically caused by an infection.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Underlying conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders or liver disease can cause rashes of the chest and/or itchy breasts.
“As OBs, we commonly see breast concerns and can do a breast biopsy, or further work-up, if we feel it’s needed. Depending on your test results, you may need to see a breast surgeon,” Dr. Sexton says.
Does an Itchy Breast Mean Breast Cancer?
No, an itchy breast doesn’t mean cancer. While breast itchiness is a symptom of some breast cancers, there are other more likely causes.
“Other breast cancer symptoms include a lump or bump that you or your provider can feel. You can also have one-sided nipple discharge with breast cancer that’s bloody or straw-colored. It’s concerning if nipple discharge comes out without being expressed versus after squeezing the breast. You may feel swollen lymph nodes without any recent illnesses. There can also be pain or lesions on the breast,” Dr. Sexton says.
Causes for a Rash on the Breast
Common causes for rashes (such as contact dermatitis, heat rash or intertrigo) typically appear on both breasts. However, a rash from mastitis typically appears on one breast, although it can show up on both.
If you only have a rash on one breast that won’t go away with home remedies, schedule an appointment to get checked out.
“The first thing I would do is a breast exam to make sure there aren’t any lumps, bumps, bruises or nipple discharge,” Dr. Sexton says.
Cancers that have itching or a rash on the breast as a symptom include Paget’s disease and inflammatory breast cancer.
Paget’s disease of the breast causes a scaly, red rash and itchy breast around the nipple or areola area. It may also be painful and crusty. It’s often associated with an underlying breast cancer but not always.
Inflammatory breast cancer, while uncommon, is aggressive and typically diagnosed at an advanced stage. It accounts for only 1-5% of all breast cancers.
An inflammatory breast cancer rash is described as looking like this:
- Redness on more than one-third of the breast
- Dimpling of the skin that looks like an orange peel
The large, red patch on the breast can be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or collarbone area. The breast is also swollen, tender, itchy and warm.
Dr. Sexton says swollen lymph nodes don’t mean cancer, as they’re reactive to any illness. You can have swollen lymph nodes with mastitis or another type of infection in the breast or chest area.
What Could a Red Bump on the Breast Be?
A single red bump on the breast can be due to a few things, including:
- Angioma (benign growth that develops from blood vessels)
- Bug bite, such as a mosquito, spider or chigger
- Inflamed hair follicle
- Pimple
- Red mole, also known as a cherry angioma
- Small trauma
If the bump doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor.
What Does a Black Patch on the Breast Mean?
A black patch on the breast is most likely a skin mole. “Just like moles appear anywhere else on the body, moles on the breast can also become cancerous. Not so much breast cancer but melanoma,” Dr. Sexton says.
Monitor any freckles or moles on your breasts regularly. If they change in appearance, such as getting darker or bigger, a biopsy is a good idea.
What’s the Cause for an Itchy Breast During Pregnancy?
Itchy breasts during pregnancy are a common symptom caused by hormonal changes. As your body prepares for breastfeeding, your breasts may become larger, more sensitive and prone to itching. These hormonal fluctuations can lead to dryness and irritation of the skin, contributing to the itchiness. Additionally, the increased blood flow to the breasts during pregnancy can cause them to feel more tender and sensitive.
What’s the Cause for an Itchy Breast During Menopause?
Similarly, itchy breasts during menopause also are due to hormonal fluctuations, which can lead to dryness, irritation and increased sensitivity in the breasts.
However, Dr. Sexton sees breast itchiness more in premenopausal woman than menopausal.
“If your breast suddenly becomes itchy during menopause and you haven’t changed anything in your day-to-day, it’s worth getting checked out.”
When to See a Doctor About Itchy Breasts
Stay on the safe side and see a doctor if you have persistently itchy breasts with or without a rash.
“I think it's worth telling your doctor about your symptoms if your itchy breasts are new, not going away, don’t happen during a certain time of your menstrual cycle and you haven’t changed any detergents or soaps — especially if you haven’t had a breast exam or mammogram.”
Depending on the cause, your doctor might recommend watching and waiting until symptoms improve, topical ointments, powders or creams as itchy breast treatments. Sometimes over-the-counter antihistamines, like Zyrtec or Claritin, are helpful, too. If the rash and/or itching resolve, it’s unlikely to be anything worrisome.
“If you have a rash that doesn’t go away, come back for a biopsy. It’s always a good idea to be cautious,” she says.