SHARES
Nipples are sensitive and can hurt for a lot of reasons.
While we usually think of women when we speak of breast problems, men too suffer from bleeding, chaffing and other painful symptoms that come with having breasts.
However, there are several factors that influence this symptom, it is mostly preventable and treatable.
Reasons behind your sore nipples.
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Infection
Friction or an allergic reaction are injury factors which may cause nipples to crack or bleed, and therefore have a higher risk of infection. In addition, irritation from self-grooming and either trimming or using a razor on nipple hairs may also cause infections to develop.
2. Friction
Also known as Runner’s nipple- the condition speaks for itself. It is common for men to develop irritated, painful nipples as a result of friction during running/jogging – hence the name.
Just as friction over other parts of the body can cause pain, irritation and sometimes bleeding, the same can happen here.
3. Clothing Allergy
Even if you’re not a runner you can still develop nipple irritation. Wool is thought to be a major culprit in causing excess nipple sensitivity. In addition, cotton fabrics that are coarse in nature may also bring out the same reaction
In extreme cases, you might notice hives, oozing blisters, dry skin, burning, and swelling. Therefore if this develops, it would be a good idea to avoid wearing that item of clothing, apply cool compresses, and consult your doctor.
4. Gynecomastia
Simply known as ‘ man boobs’, gynecomastia is a condition observed by the enlargement of a man’s breast. Mostly occurring due to hormonal imbalance, gynecomastia can also occur due to liver disease, alcohol abuse, kidney disease, and even certain medication.
5. Cysts
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled pocket in the breast. It occurs in men as in women. It seems that, when nipples are dry or chafed, small cracks in the skin allow bacteria to by-pass the skin barrier. While this may be the start for conditions like cellulitis and mastitis, antibiotics and warm compress are key in combatting this.
6. Breast Cancer
While breast cancer in men is certainly much less common than in women, for every case diagnosed in men, there are approximately 100 cases diagnosed in women. Hence, it is good to note that male breast cancer does still occur.
Changes to watch out for include:
- A lump or swelling
- Breast skin dimples or puckers that don’t resolve
- Red, scaly skin on breast, areola, or nipple
- Nipple retraction
- Swollen lymph nodes in your armpit
7. Paget’s Disease of the Breast
A rare form of cancer, Paget disease usually affects the nipple and areola, causing flaky, crusty or itchy skin surrounding the area. However, National Institute of Health adds, this disease is easily misdiagnosed due to the similarity of its symptoms to that of eczema.
If your nipple sensitivity and pain does not improve, perhaps it’s time for a visit to the doctor.
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by Yashwini Ravindranath
Born & raised in Malaysia, Yashwini earned her M.D. studying in Moscow's Russian National Research Medical University. With an affiliation towards research, all things coffee and the startup ecosystem, she now contributes articles to GetDocSays View all articles by Yashwini Ravindranath.
