Why does nipples get sore

Sometimes it may have felt like your breasts gained weight overnight. Whether it's a dull ache or a sharp pain, soreness in your breasts might make you worry about breast cancer. But try to stay calm. Breast pain in a teen is rarely cancer. So what can cause pain and what should you do? All mammals have breasts and humans are no exception.

Breasts, which are milk-producing glands, begin to enlarge in females around the start of puberty. Breasts are made of fat and other tissue that surround and protect nerves, blood vessels, and milk ducts small tube-like paths. The main biological reason that women develop breasts is so they can feed their babies.

Some women give their babies formula from bottles, but many women breastfeed their newborns. In fact, doctors recommend breastfeeding, when possible, as the best way to meet a baby's nutritional needs.

The timing of breast development varies from girl to girl. Most girls begin getting breasts around 10 or But it's normal for breast development to start anytime between the ages of 8 and In general, it takes 4 to 5 years for a girl's breasts to reach their adult size. When guys start puberty it is common to develop a small amount of breast enlargement too.

During puberty, hormones in the body can cause the breasts to grow larger. The difference is that for guys, this condition is called gynecomastia and is usually temporary. One of the most common times that breasts might feel sore is when they are beginning to develop.

First you might notice a small button-like lump beneath the nipple area. The medical name for this is the breast bud , and is common in guys and girls.

That new lacy bra? It's pretty, but it might not be doing your poor skin any good. Irritants, like clothes, or even lifestyle factors such as dry weather could have a huge effect on your skin. Invest in a good sports bra if you're a runner, and stick to cotton ones for a few days to see if the soreness eases. Similarly, your washing powder could be rubbing you up the wrong way. If you've recently switched, consider going back to your previous brand — or even change to a non-bio detergent.

Your nipples will thank you for it. Those with skin conditions are more likely to suffer with sore nipples, as Dr Prasad said: "This can cause inflammation to the areola area. If you're prone to eczema , dermatitis, psoriasis or general allergies, there's every chance it's behind your nipple irritation. It's easy to get caught up in the moment, but spare a thought for your sensitive nipples — too much squeezing or biting during sex is bound to leave them sore. If this is the case, they'll heal on their own This is very rare, but not to be entirely dismissed if you're worried about nipple pain.

Dr Prasad explained:. You can purchase over-the-counter remedies such as hydrocortisone which can suppress inflammation and itchiness. Women who breastfeed can sometimes develop sore nipples from the suction, especially when your baby first starts to latch on. Expressing milk with a breast pump can also cause nipple pain if the shield is ill-fitting or if the suction is too high.

Mastitis is an infection that makes the breast swell up, turn red, and become sore. Other symptoms include a fever and chills. You can develop mastitis when milk gets trapped in one of your milk ducts and bacteria start to grow inside.

Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Untreated mastitis can lead to a collection of pus in your breast called an abscess. Another cause for sore nipples while breastfeeding is thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection you can get if your nipples dry out and become cracked from breastfeeding. Your baby can also get thrush in their mouth.

It shows up as white patches on their tongue, gums, and other surfaces inside the mouth. Avoiding tight clothes and wearing a more supportive bra can help control nipple pain. Every time you buy a new bra, try it on. It can help to visit a store where the salesperson measures you to make sure you get the right fit. They can watch you breastfeed and provide tips and guidance to help make it easier.

Your outlook depends on which condition is causing your nipple pain. Soreness related to your period should go away on its own. Breastfeeding pain caused by an infection should improve with treatment. Breast cancer outlook depends on the stage of your cancer and what treatment you get. Read this article in Spanish. Premenstrual breast swelling and tenderness are common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. A burning nipple can be extremely uncomfortable, but is it serious?

Sore nipples are common in breastfeeding women. Here are 13 ways to prevent and manage sore nipples while breastfeeding, plus signs that you may need…. Here are other symptoms to watch for and when to see your doctor. A tingling sensation in the breast is most often related to hormonal changes and early pregnancy.

Find out how you can treat tingling or soreness, and….