So if you asking yourself why do my nipples hurt after the beach- no matter if you are a newbie to the beach or a mermaid, being in the sea all the time, surfers ‘ nipples can affect anyone. Men and women alike can be affected causing discomfort, pain, and sometimes bleeding. But what exactly is this condition and how can we get a handle on it? Whether it’s a remedy for the pain or avoidance tactics stick with us and we will cover all you have to know. Show ‣ Surfers Nipple This term can affect you regardless of whether you surf or not. Surfers’ nipple is commonly caused by friction to the nipples, be it from a wetsuit, swimsuit, chemicals, sand, or salt. It can occur in open waters, or in a chlorinated pool. No matter how well you feel you are protected whether it’s a wet suit or a padded bathing suit you can still feel the effects of sore and tender nipples. Typically anything that comes into contact with your breasts can cause discomfort. Doctors have now become aware that this is a certified condition that many women have presented with. As you swim your breasts will float causing friction between them and the water. Not to mention the salt and sand they will come into contact with. Wetsuits have their part to play too as they are form-fitting they can cause chaffing on the tender area of your breasts. If left untreated then the soreness from the nipple can become dry and cracked. If you have ever experienced this then you will understand how much pain this can endure! If cracked it may lead to infection or bleeding. ‣ Other Irritants Before you diagnose yourself as to why do my nipples hurt after swimming as just swimmers nipple, it is important for us to consider other circumstances that can cause you to suffer from nipple pain. We, women, put our bodies through so much from pregnancy to childbirth it is easy to forget that our bodies have a cocktail of hormones rushing around. ‣ Menstrual Cycle As you are well aware, at certain times of the month your body prepares itself for the monthly visit from aunt Flo. Whilst you may not be bleeding your body will be going through the motions. Nipple issues can occur weeks before your period is due. Personally, I found that my breasts become super sensitive in the middle of my cycle so regardless of whether I’m down the beach or not nipple pain can occur. From overly erect nipples to a dull ache in the areola, it is our hormones we can blame. Mix this up with added friction from salt or chlorinated water and tah dah … you have your answer. Whilst it may not be surfers nipple you can expect some tenderness during your cycle. ‣ Breastfeeding Regarding breastfeeding, it is pretty obvious that having a suckling monster machine on your breasts can cause irritation. If you find it is worsening when you are swimming you can look at the avoidance techniques further in this article. You can also find handy tips for relieving nipple pain from breastfeeding from your lactation consultant or doctor. Remember you can continue to feed whilst suffering from cracked nipples but I recommend using a guard or nipple shield to help protect them from further damage. ‣ Pregnancy Many women indicate early pregnancy by how their breasts feel. A spike in hormones can make your nipples more tender and sensitive to their environments. If you suspect that you could be pregnant then be sure to take an at-home pregnancy testing kit. If you have never suffered from nipple tenderness whilst swimming before then this could be the reason for it. ‣ Breast Pain Breast pain can be caused by damage to the breast tissue itself or if you have pulled the muscles that sit beneath the chest wall. It can also become apparent after you have had sex, you may not notice but your partner may have been fairly rough during foreplay which will leave them feeling sore, and tender. The severity of pain can depend on the causes. Breast pain can be present whether you are resting or playing in the ocean. If you have just started surfing them be sure to take it easy as you are using muscles that have never been overly worked before. Like boobs, nipple pain comes in all shapes and sizes. Most of the time, the issue is just wearing a bad bra. Other times it could be something serious. Here’s a deep dive into the causes of nipple pain and how to treat them. Share on PinterestStocksy This cause applies to anyone with nipples. Friction is the number one suspect on the “Nipple’s Most Wanted” list. A tight shirt or loose bra can cause nipple pain. Symptoms include:
Nipple friction during exercise“Jogger nipple” (or nipple fissure) is also a legit thing. Nipple fissures can also happen as a result of breastfeeding or chestfeeding. One study showed that nipple fissures are more common in long-distance runners. The constant collision of sweaty skin and fabric can be super irritating. TreatmentThe best solution is to reduce the risk of friction. You can:
Cranky nipples are often linked to skin conditions in anyone with nipples. One common culprit is dermatitis (aka eczema). Dermatitis is pretty common (about 16.5 million peeps in the United States have it). An overreaction in your skin’s immune cells triggers it, leading to inflammation. Harsh soaps and fragrances can also set it off. Symptoms include:
Causes of dermatitis that might affect your nipplesThe following might trigger dermatitis in areas that cause nipple pain:
TreatmentThe best way to treat dermatitis is to keep your nipples hydrated. You can: If these remedies don’t work for you, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or another topical solution. As if the cramps weren’t bad enough. Ugh. Periods can also cause an array of other less-than-pleasant symptoms in people with ovaries, including nipple effects. Discomfort tends to flare up right before your period — But it can pop up during Aunt Flo’s visit as well. It happens because of fluctuations in your hormone levels. Symptoms include:
TreatmentSometimes, you just have to ride out the crimson wave. But there are some ways to reduce your discomfort. You can:
Baby on board? A lot happens to your body when you’re pregnant. That means swollen ankles, morning sickness, and (yes) sore nipples. In fact, breast soreness is one of the first signs that an eggo is preggo. Fluctuating hormones cause this. It can also be a result of your breasts preparing themselves to become lactation stations. Other signs you’re pregnant include:
You might also see changes to your nipples like discoloration and small bumps around the areolas. TreatmentBreast and nipple soreness should get better the further along you get. But that’s not the case for everyone. To ease the discomfort, you can:
You can also opt for an OTC pain reliever. But be sure to ask your doctor first. They can give you a list of safe options for you and your baby. Nip pain can happen in early nursing. This is usually because your baby is not latched deep enough. Your nipple should be at the back of your baby’s throat, not being scraped by their hard palate. Seek help from a lactation consultant to improve your baby’s latch. Your hospital can help you find one. Symptoms include:
TreatmentNursing-related nipple soreness usually improves over time. In the meantime, here are some ways to enhance your nursing experience:
Pump PSA: If you’re using a breast pump, make sure that you’ve positioned the shield correctly and that the suction isn’t on too high. When you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding a baby, the milk travels down ducts to the nipple. If these clog up, it can cause painful lumps anywhere on the breast — including the nipple. A clogged milk duct can happen if:
Other risk factors include:
TreatmentWhile clogged milk ducts can be painful and a little worrying, you can usually resolve symptoms in 2 to 3 days by adjusting your feeding position and using home remedies. Adjustments include:
Just before you nurse, you can also try bathing your breasts in an Epsom salt bath (made of 4 liters of water and 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts) for 10 minutes. Try massaging the clogged area during the soak for the best results. Give yourself a rinse before you feed — baby might not like the taste of salty boobs. If symptoms don’t improve after 2 to 3 days, it’s best to seek consultation with a doc and rule out an infection. If you feel nipple pain after changing medications or starting a new course of meds, you’re not alone. Some medications linked to nipple pain include:
These side effects can affect anyone with nipples. One 2019 case study found that labetalol, a drug that doctors use to manage hypertension during pregnancy, caused nipple pain in a woman during pregnancy. When she switched to a different drug, she no longer reported pain. But this is pretty unusual and a report of a single case. A huge number of women take labetalol without experiencing nipple pain. TreatmentFlag any unwanted side effects from medication with your doctor. They may be able to recommend alternative prescriptions or other types of treatment that address your medical issues without causing sore nipples. If your medication has been the cause of your nipple pain, symptoms should start to ease off once it’s out of your system. If symptoms don’t improve after changing your prescription, the cause might be something else. Nips can get sick, just like the rest of your body. Two common nipple infections are mastitis and thrush. They happen the most if you nurse. Mastitis can occur due to a clogged milk duct, which can cause bacteria to grow. Massage that area during breastfeeding. If it doesn’t resolve and you begin feeling ill and feverish, it has moved to mastitis, an infection of your tissue around that area. Without treatment, mastitis can lead to pain and pus. More symptoms include:
Your vajayjay isn’t the only body part that has to deal with yeasty business. Thrush — a yeast infection — can occur if your nipples crack or get dried out. If you’re breastfeeding, your baby can also get thrush inside their mouth. It’ll show up as white patches on the sides of their mouth, gums, or tongue. Your symptoms can include:
TreatmentTreatment depends on the severity of the infection. It can sometimes be treated with an OTC option. But you’ll need to chat with your doctor if it’s more serious. If you’re running a fever, don’t delay seeing your doctor. They can prescribe:
Keep it clean. Bacteria can linger on surfaces. So, be sure to totally sanitize your bottles, breast pumps, and pacifiers (or anything else your baby puts in their mouth on the reg). Nipple pain can be an early indicator of breast cancer. In addition to pain, you may have:
PSA: The only way to know for sure that you have breast cancer is to be diagnosed by a doctor. TreatmentTreatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer along with other factors. Some treatment options include:
Paget’s disease is a rare form of breast cancer. The exact cause is unknown but one popular theory is that your cells from a tumor transfer through your milk ducts to your nipple. Keep in mind, not all people with Paget’s have breast tumors. Since it’s rare, a correct diagnosis is often delayed. Symptoms include:
TreatmentLike other forms of breast cancer, treatment depends on a variety of factors, which include the stage and status of the disease. Treatment may be a combo of:
Nipple pain — though usually harmless — can be a symptom of something serious. So, don’t dismiss your pain. Your doctor can help you get to the root of the problem. Call your doctor if:
There are lots of ways to kick your nipple pain to the curb. It all depends on what’s causing the issue. If it’s a friction issue
If it’s period related
If it’s because you’re breastfeeding
Nipple pain is the pits. The good news: It’s usually harmless. But in certain cases, it could be a sign of something serious. Def call a doctor if you think something feels or looks off. Last medically reviewed on February 1, 2022 |