What are common nipple problems?

Some illness or irritants in the environment can cause nipple problems. It is faced by both male and females. It is not related to breast cancer but can cause a serious problem and common types of nipple problem include:

• Irritation

• Soreness

• Cracking 

• Bleeding 

• Swelling 

• Shape changing

What are the symptoms of nipple problems?

Below are the symptoms of nipple problems: 

• Discharge from nipples, including clear, milky, yellow or brown fluid

• Irritation and itchiness 

• Nipples can be cracked 

• Nipples that are swollen and painful

• Nipples shapes changes in the appearance of nipples or 

• Skin puckering around nipples

• Nipple discharge due to unusual pressure 

What are the causes of nipple problems?

There are many causes that could lead to nipple problem like : 

• Pregnancy

• hypothyroidism

• Some Infections- bacterial or virus

• Tumour- small or benign tumors or noncancerous 

• Underactive thyroid

• Ectasia- enlargement of the milk ducts

• Tumour in a pituitary gland

• Breast Paget’s disease

• An injury in the breast tissue 

• Irritation caused due to excess rubbing while exercising or sexual activity 

Other causes that could lead to nipple problem like :

• A person may experience unnecessary discharge from the breasts due to unusual pressure on his/her chest or due to a severe injury. Excessive friction may also cause nipples to become sore, irritated or cracked. 

• Itchiness of the nipples can be caused due to a number of reasons. Pregnancy can cause changes in hormone levels, expansion of breasts and increased blood flow to the nipples and this may cause nipple problems in women.

• A person can also suffer from nipple or areola dermatitis due to eczema or other causes.

• Breast-feeding women are the most susceptible to eczema. Sometimes the fungus Candida albicans may cause a woman to suffer from a fungal infection of the nipples.

• A person may also suffer from a condition called jogger’s nipple or runner’s nipple if he/she experiences irritation due to clothing rubbing against the nipples during some physical activities. 

• Treating nipple problems involve identification of the cause that is causing the problem. So there are different treatment options. 

How are nipple problems diagnosed?

Diagnosis can be done in many ways. Before diagnosis, your doctor should have the idea of what problem could be, after that doctor will suggest or conduct some of the following tests: 

• Ductography: In this doctor injects the dye in the breast ducts to check the blockages.

• Mammogram or breast ultrasound: It reveals any lumps in the breast. 

• Skin biopsy: It is done to check the cancer cells in the skin. 

• Prolactin test: This test is done to see the hormone levels which stimulates milk production. 

• Thyroid hormone test: It is done to check the thyroid gland functioning. 

• CT scan

• MRI scan

How is the treatment options for nipple problems?

A person needs to take appropriate medications to treat nipple problems due to any infection. Nipple problems due to a bacterial infection will require treatment with antibiotics. Again, a person suffering from fungal infection like candidiasis will have to take an antifungal medicine. 

A person suffering from nipple problems due to the presence of a small but non-cancerous tumor may require going to the doctor on a regular basis. Ecstasia or swollen milk ducts usually gets resolved on its own. However, a doctor may surgically remove the swollen milk ducts if a person suffers from this condition continuously.

Nipple problems can also occur due to lack of thyroid hormones in the body. Lack of such hormones can cause the normal balance of chemical reactions to get upset. However, this condition can be treated with the help of a prescription medicine which will help to replace the hormones. 

Pituitary tumor, which can cause nipple problems, can be treated with the help of two medications like bromocriptine and cabergoline. Sometimes radiation therapy may also be necessary to treat such a tumor. 

A person may have tumors in the nipple or may have tumors all over the breast if she is suffering from Paget’s disease of the breast. If the tumors are concentrated only in the nipple, the person will require undergoing surgery to remove the areola and nipple and also will have to take radiation treatment. If the tumors are spread all over the breast, the person may require undergoing mastectomy to remove the entire breast. 

Who is eligible for the treatment?

A person who has nipple discharge without any apparent reason I eligible for the treatment. The fluid discharge may appear o be clear, yellow, milky, green or even bloody. Other symptoms that may make a person eligible for treatment are irritation, cracking, bleeding and soreness of the nipples or if the nipples have changed their shape. A person should be diagnosed by a doctor by be suffering from this condition to be eligible for the treatment. 

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

A doctor will enquire about the medications that a person is on, whether there has been any change in the person’s diet, whether the person is pregnant or if her nipples have got irritated due to some recent activity before diagnosing her with suffering from nipple problems. 

A person is not eligible if a doctor has not diagnosed him to be suffering from such. Some of the tests that may help a person to understand whether she is eligible for treatment or not include ductography, skin biopsy, mammogram, MRI scan, thyroid hormone test or CT scan. 

Are there any side effects?

A person generally suffers from acute symptoms during the treatment phase of radiation therapy. So a person should always be aware of the side-effects of radiation. However, other side-effects include fatigue, skin reactions, general weakness and tiredness. 

Antihistamines, which are used to treat eczema of the nipples, can have side-effects like drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, restlessness or moodiness, confusion, dry mouth or blurred vision. 

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

Wearing properly fitting clothes while exercising or working out will help a person to avoid nipple problems. Women who run or do horseback riding should wear a well-fitted sports bra. Men, who are suffering from nipple problems, should wear a snug undershirt before indulging in physical activities.

Applying products to prevent chafing may also help to deal with nipple problems. It may also be beneficial if a person applies moisturizer to keep the nipples moist. 

How long does it take to recover?

Mammoplasty or breast reduction surgery will require a person to take a week off from active life. It normally takes a person about 10-14 days to recover from the effects of this surgical procedure. 

Physical activity should be avoided for a period of about 1 month. The recovery period for a person suffering from nipple problem depends on the cause of the ailment.

Are the results of the treatment permanent?

A person may suffer from an injury to his/her chest or breast and this may cause him/her to suffer from nipple problems even after that person has undergone treatment for the same. Pregnancy or some infection may also cause a person to suffer from nipple problem. Thus there is not always a permanent solution. 

How to prevent nipple problems?

You can prevent some nipple problems. Do consult your doctor, if you’re on any medications as there is a major possibility of side effects. Wear properly fitted clothes when you exercise to prevent nipple problems. Women should wear a well-fitted sports bra. 

Men, who are suffering from nipple problems, should wear a snug undershirt before indulging in physical activities. Most of the time, it is not so serious and can be easily treated. 

What are the alternatives to the treatment?

A pregnant woman can use her own breast milk to treat sore, cracked, blistering or bleeding nipples. Sore nipples can also be treated by applying a warm compress. Other natural methods that help to treat nipple problems include massaging with oil, use of aloe vera, basil leaves and ice. Calendula, tea-tree oil, chamomile and Vitamin C also help to deal with nipple problems.