To be worried about my crusty nipples

[alittlebitembarassing]

Yep, basically that, and it is embarrassing to talk about. A year ago I started to get really itchy nipples so I went to the doctor who said it was dermatitis and gave me some cream. The cream didn’t work so they gave me some steroid cream which didn’t work. I didn’t bother going back because I felt silly, but they have itched every day since and they are dry and crusty and they are currently scabby and bleeding.

I’ve gained a lot of weight in a short space of time since having my son two years ago so I wondered if maybe they had stretched with the weight gain? But it is both the nipple and the areola.

I keep thinking that maybe it could be breast cancer but I don’t know if that alone would warrant a look into that? I’m only 27.

Anyone else ever experienced this? I’m going to go back to the doctor but I do find it embarrassing and I’m worried I’ll be wasting their time.

AIBU isn't the right place for this

This can definitely be a sign of something serious and you should try to see a GP asap

Yanbu. Ignore the super helpful previous poster 🙄 go back to the GP. You're not wasting their time.

I don't know what it might be but you're absolutely not wasting their time! Don't be too embarrassed to push for a cancer screening referral, unless they can give you a very strong reason why it isn't appropriate. I'm not saying I think that's what you have, but after this amount if time better to exclude it properly!

No specific knowledge (not a doctor or anything) but if you’re worried and they are causing discomfort to the extent that they’re bleeding, definitely go to the doctor. Remind them that you have had the problem for sometime and tried a couple of treatments which haven’t helped and see what they suggest. A couple of things I wonder about since you mention a baby is could it be associated with breastfeeding? Or some kind of dermatitis from whatever detergent you use for your bras?

I don't want to worry you but I had this and it turned out to be Paget's disease which is a cancer of the nipple. I was fobbed off for years by my GP with various creams as it was far too rare for me to have apparently! Please go back to your GP and insist on a referral to the breast clinic.

That’s exactly what I’m worried about @marmiteloversunite, was it both nipples? Mine started on my right and then developed to both. What did they do to treat it?

Go to your doctor, for sure to get it sorted. But PP who've suggested breast cancer- surely if it's both sides, that would be very unlikely. I'm not a healthcare professional however, so my opinion is worth nothing. I would get it looked at, whatever.

Mine was just one nipple so hopefully yours is a skin condition but I would definitely get it thoroughly checked out. I really was fobbed off a lot so I get twitchy when I read about others suffering with this.

I unfortunately had breast cancer as well as the Paget's so had the whole treatment.

Really didn't want to be a scaremonger but wish someone had told me to insist on getting it checked.

I had this a long time ago. Was a sort of eczema, so just used hydrocortisone. I did go for a mammogram and it was fine. I used to drink heavily/alcoholic and when I stopped it all cleared up for good.

Thrush? I think babies can pass it to the mother's nipple when breastfeeding.

Could be fungal as well.

Have you ever been given an antifungal cream to use?

I feel for you, OP. I had this a few years ago, I was only 22/23 and was absolutely terrified about Paget’s. Mine was on both nipples which the GP was less concerned about, and I had no lumps or bumps. They still referred me for an ultrasound and biopsy though, and luckily it was all clear and just dermatitis.

Initially, they had just prescribed a barrier cream which helped make it less uncomfortable but didn’t “cure” it. I was studying to become a Pharmacist so I was determined to find myself a cure😂

What helped me was; 0.1% Hydrocortisone cream twice a day for 7 days only, a thin layer of Diprobase ointment or Petroleum jelly as required, only washing the breasts with lukewarm water (and only using my hands, not a flannel of scrunchie), using breast pads if needed to stop them from sticking to my bra, taking an antihistamine every day to reduce the itch, and using non-bio, unscented washing detergents on any items that might touch them (even bedding).

Please do speak to your GP again, and push for them to check it out. It can be scary and daunting ruling out the worst case scenario is always the best idea.
I’ve spoken to a lot of younger men and women about dermatitis of the nipple/breast and always urge them to make an appointment with their GP.

Hope you get better soon! ❤️

Also, I’ve had a few breastfeeding mothers present with these symptoms and it turned out to be a fungal infection.

It could be thrush which needs specific treatment, or some kind of dermatitis, could be lots of things. Would you really put off having it fixed and checked for something serious because you felt silly?

I had this when I was about 20 as a side effect of the combined oral contraceptive, it stopped immediately when I changed to a different pill (which then made me depressed). I don't do hormonal contraceptives now.

I had this too and had a biopsy but it was all clear. I was prescribed Fucibet which is for infected eczema and it helped

Not the same thing but had very sore itchy nipples and my GP told me to use Conotrane cream. It's good for fungal infections under boobs too.

I hate to gatecrash OP - but I have a funny scaly patch on one nipple which I also worry about periodically, and considered posting about before wasting my GP 's time (I see him enough as it is).

The thing is, when I was about 19 or 20 I noticed a very small scatter of tiny moles or raised freckles in this spot (about 4 dots on a 1cm line), and I prodded at them once or twice but they never changed from the monent they first appeared. I just forgot them, they were always there.

I'm now 50, and over the years I've gained weight and things have gone south. And those 4 dots have sort of expanded/blended into one patch, 5mm in diameter on the areola, which is a bit scaly and dry. It doesn't itch, but if I've absently picked at it (it feels almost like a scab) it sometimes bleeds a bit. It hasn't got any bigger or changed shape or colour in the last year or so since I noticed it.

I've always thought of it as just a peculiar patch of skin - I don't need to get a potentially 30 year old aged mole checked do I?