Hard nipple, with itch

[Liongirl29]

I have been experiencing this problem for the past week, where my right nipple keeps getting hard and itches severely.  I remember feeling this same feeling when I was about 11 and assumed that was part of puberty and the growth process.  As I am 30 now, I doubt they're growing!  

This is driving me crazy!  The skin looks normal, there is no flakiness or redness.  I also feel something like a tingling in my breast, similar to the letdown feeling when I was breastfeeding my daughter.  I have not breastfed for over a year now.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

[Liongirl29]

OP here: I know this is an old thread, but if anyone happens to be searching with the same problem: my nipple itching ended up being thrush! I took Diflucan and applied clotrimazole and it went away. :)

[Liongirl29]

Thank you very much for your response!  It does help.  :)  I will make an appt with my family doc.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms nipple dermatitis needs to be ruled out. The other causes are dermatitis or eczema. Wear cotton clothes and apply warm compresses and topical antiseptics on the area. Then apply some topical antibiotics cream like Neosporin. For the eczema, apply hypoallergenic moisturizers and topical steroids after consulting a dermatologist. You can take some antihistaminics to relieve the itching.
f there is any discharge from the nipple along with dry flaky skin, then paget’s disease needs to be ruled out.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.