Itchy nipple and scared of doctor

[Candymay]

I’m too worried to go to the doctor but I have one itchy nipple. Every day it’s extremely itchy. It’s been about 3 or 4 years now. After one year of constant itching I did see my old GP (she’s left) but I feel on the one hand I’m not worthy of an appointment and on the other hand I’m afraid of anything sinister being found. The GP a few years ago did not know what the cause could be. Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Yes, someone I know had this and it was eczema. However, you’ll be in a far worse position if it is something more serious and you maintain this ludicrous stance of being “scared” of the doctor (unless a massive drip feed is coming). Get over yourself and see a medical professional.

Best to face up to it. The stress of not knowing is really making you feel bad. Also it's probably something that is easily treated. Also if you know what it is you can deal with it, rather than living in fear.

I have this quite frequently but it is eczema, it has cleared up now I have changed soap and laundry detergent. Really nasty and sore at times.

You ought to go to the doctors to make sure though

You could see the Advanced Nurse Practitioner if you don't like your GP. Or the Practice Nurse.

Or you could try a steroid cream from the pharmacy and see if it helps. It will if it's eczema.

Very, very occasionally an itchy nipple is a sign of breast cancer. Are your mammograms up to date, assuming you're old enough to need them?

www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/breast-cancer/understanding-cancer/signs-symptoms.html

I’ve made an appointment with the doctor. Next week.

What’s there to be scared of? I went to the dr as I had thrush on my nipple (wasn’t bf though) really wasn’t a big deal, I always tell myself they’ve seen it all!

I suppose on the one hand I feel I’m wasting their time and on the other I’m afraid of cancer. I did have an operation (benign) when I was a teen and it has very much affected my life since.
The nipple looks normal but the itching is intense and it’s been years. I feel stupid. I’m anxious and depressed too.

What did the last GP say about it?

"I've made an appointment with the doctor. Next week."
Phone back and ask for an emergency appt for today.

After 4 years it's hardly an emergency!

It might be sleepingbelvi. You never know.

Emergency gp appointments do not require you to be actively in the process of dying to be an emergency. That's what A&E is for.

I know. They are for 'need to be seen today' usually because the patient needs an urgent referral or a prescription that can't wait a week. OP has had this for 4 years. Why is it suddenly an emergency?

OP, just go to the appointment next week.

I had foot pain for a month. It was an emergency at the gp after all as it turned out to be a broken bone. So just to say, you never know. It might be an emergency, let the GP's office decide that.

@Candymay

If you're worried about this possibly being cancer, have you got generalised health anxiety anyway?

I'm glad you've made an appointment for next week. That's definitely a step in the right direction. You must have googled it and found that by far the likeliest reason for this is eczema. The fact that you've had it for four years doesn't suggest cancer.

Last time I saw The gp she gave me cream to try in case it was eczema or an infection. It didn’t get better. It’s been about 3 years I think. I will def go to the appointment next week. Yes I have anxiety about all sorts of things and don’t really trust myself. And always fear the worst but also fear wasting the doctor’s time. Last time the doctor said if it didn’t get better with the cream then they could refer and have a skin biopsy taken. I just get so paralysed by my poor emotional health.

I had the same thing, after a year or so 2 patches appeared on my nipple area, it's definitely eczema but no cream will budge it

I've found changing laundry detergent has helped, but mostly it's just the time of year that affects it the most e.g. a change in temperature going from Winter to Summer or particularly cold weather. Some creams alleviate the itchiness slightly for a small period of time, but I am yet to find something that permanently stops the itchiness or gets rid of the little patches on my skin

You are never, ever wasting the doctors time. It is better to be safe than sorry. Don't think about going, just walk out the house and go to the doctors on auto-pilot

Good luck xx

I am the same, OP. The itch comes and goes but it's been there for years. I went to the doctor's and was seen by some sort of senior nurse who thought it wasn't worthy of a referral. Also suffer from anxiety.

Oh thank you so much!

Personally I think I should go back and ask for a referral... I couldn't make my case on the day as I was too flustered and anxious. Not much better today...

I had this and no lump but the doctor took it seriously and sent me for a mammogram and skin biopsy. It was just eczema and fucibet cream got rid of it in the end. Definitely go to the doctor.

@Candymay I have a phobia of the GP too, and hospitals. It’s absolutely miserable and can make a routine appointment turn into a huge drama - a short hospital stay can trigger an extended period of poor mental health. People who dismiss this fear are bloody lucky they don’t know what it’s like. You’ve done the right thing to make an appointment. That’s half the battle now keep breathing and attend your appointment and hopefully it will be something very simple that can be easily sorted.

Thank you so much. I will keep the appointment. The fear is miserable.

Is it your actual nipple or on the areola Candymay? If Areola, I have the same too - an itchy patch that sometimes gets sore if i scratch it. I've mentioned it to the doctors a few times and none were concerned. One gave me a cream once, but it didn't do much, but I wasn't really applying it properly as was bf at the time so had to time it carefully. I'd be interested to see what your doctor says, and its reassuring to know others have what sounds similar. Mine started when I was pregnant, I remember that. It's been 5 years now that it's been annoying me on and off.

I had this, for a few years. Had investigations and it was put down to eczema. A few weeks later a close relative dropped dead and I’ve never really been bothered by it since. . I guess the stress and preoccupation of the bereavement took my mind off it for long enough for it to... I don’t rightly know? 🤷‍♀️

Not that I’m suggesting that as a cure.

Thanks for all the reassurance. I will definitely post back when I see the doctor.
It’s the nipple and the areola area. One side. Really maddeningly itchy but no redness or marks. The only time there is anything different to see is when I’ve scratched so hard it’s broken the skin.