Nipples are very sensitive, and they can become sore or hurt due to various reasons. Some of the common causes in both men and women include tight clothes, skin rashes, and infections, which irritate the sensitive skin of your nipples. Menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are the usual causes of sore nipples in women.
All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.
Redness and tenderness in nipple with a bump under skin. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a small area of redness and tenderness above and around the top of my left nipple. It is painful to touch and has a small bump under the skin (not a superficial, but a few layers under). The lump is quite hard. We were recently swimming in freshwater rivers and ocean, and hiking i... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It looks like erysipelas, that is called the superficial skin infection. It would be helpful if you have had any recent laboratory investigations, complete blood count analysis ESR CRP that would be very helpful. I will advise you to apply Mupirocin ointment twice daily... Read Full »
Though my pregnancy tests are negative I am still experiencing signs of pregnancy. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am a female of 23 years and have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I have been experiencing pregnancy symptoms like nausea, nipple sensitivity, cravings, and delayed period by five days but pregnancy tests are negative. I know chances are I am not pregnant but I have never had the sy... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, We welcome you to icliniq family. I appreciate the confidence you place in me for your healthcare consultation. I have gone through your case and I understand your concern. It is common to get delayed periods in PCOS. As per your description, these are not actually pregnancy symptoms, thes... Read Full »
I have body pain, tender breasts and irregular periods. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, I have irregular periods, and usually, my cycle is 35 days. I have skipped my period every 3 to 4 months for the last two years, and I always consult with my doctor. I did all the checkups and there were no issues like PCOS, cysts, or anything. My doctor says it is just because of hormona... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. You have been suffering from hormonal imbalance. These symptoms of breast tenderness and sore nipples are due to your hormonal medicine intake. 1. At present, first check beta hCG to confirm your pregnancy status. ... Read Full »
Please give some idea about the painful sore on my nipple.
Query: Hi doctor,I am a 16 year old girl. Today I found a whitish sore on my nipple that hurts when anything touches it. I have no idea what it is. It is on the top of my areola and is white. It feels like there is some tissue underneath and very painful. I thought it was a pimple, but it is not. Previousl... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome back to icliniq.com. Thanks for your question. The areola and the areolar border is filled with modified sebaceous glands, called glands of Montgomery. They produce sebum, like those that form part of all your hair follicles. Thus they are prone to keratotic plug formation and then the... Read Full »
How to treat dry and cracked nipples?
Query: Hello doctor, I have dry, cracked nipples and not sure if it is normal. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Looking at the photograph (attachment removed to protect patient identity), there can be two differentials, nipple eczema or Paget's disease of the breast. Pagets is a more severe condition out of this, so I would recommend a skin biopsy ... Read Full »
Why do I feel pain on touching the area around my nipples?
Query: Hello doctor, I have felt pain by touching under, around, and below my nipples for the past five days. There is no swelling and no visible irritation. Please check the pictures. Any advice on what to do? Currently, I am taking Atenolol, Escitalopram, Pantoprazole, Amlodipine, Crestor, Fenofibrate, a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and am sorry for such discomfort you are having. I saw the picture you have attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). In one of the pictures, there is a slight enlargement contour of the left breast with mild, faint ery... Read Full »
Why am I experiencing a pinching pain in the right nipple area, and is it IBC?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had a pinching pain in my right nipple area for over a week. It happens if I rub my nipple in a certain way or if something hits it. So I searched online, and IBC (inflammatory breast cancer) came up in the search, and I panicked. Kindly advise. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. I do not think there is anything to worry about. While rubbing, the pinched pain in the nipple area looks like a benign nipple problem. It has no connection with inflammatory breast cancer; usually, inflammatory breast cancer means more... Read Full »
Is soreness of nipples a sign of pregnancy?
Query: Hi doctor, My partner and I had sex five days after my period a week ago. He did not use any protection. For the past one week, we had sex like four times. Right now, I feel my nipples are getting sore, especially when I try to touch it and I do have cramps below my belly button. Is this a sign of p... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you had a regular menstrual cycle of 28 to 30 days, then your fertile period starts from day 8 to day 18 of your cycle. Starting from five days after your periods, you had sex four times for a week, which means until day 12 of your cycle, which falls in the unsafe ... Read Full »
My breasts are dry, itchy and painful. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 36 year old unmarried girl. I am experiencing itching and pain in my nipples and areola upon scratching. During my periods, my breasts pain for a day or two and the pain subsides by itself. Now as it is winter, my breasts were dry, and I applied cold cream and vaseline. They are... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You probably have extreme dryness on nipples. Because of scratching, excoriation and infection may occur which is causing pain. You need to apply antibiotic as of now and then keep it lubricated. Please consult a dermatologist in person for management. Regarding pain bef... Read Full »
I was on Nexplanon and I did not get last three months period. What to do?
Query: Hi doctor, I had Nexplanon in for six months and had a period on it for three months straight. But, I did not get period for the last three months. I had it removed before 20 days and no period still. While on it, I would throw up and even after having it removed, I puked. Since being removed, my n... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Nexplanon is a progesterone having implant (Etonogestrel). After insertion, the menses can be irregular or even stopped for 6 months to almost 1 year. But, if you had not gotten your period since last three months and you had regular intercourse, then you should do a ur... Read Full »