Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Soothe sore nipples from friction
• Method 2 of 3: Soothe sore nipples from breastfeeding
• Method 3 of 3: Soothe sore nipples due to hormonal changes
• Tips
• Warnings

Sore nipples are common in both women and men. This can have a variety of causes, such as friction from clothing, breastfeeding and hormonal changes. Fortunately, there are several methods to relieve nipple pain, whatever the cause.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Soothe sore nipples from friction

1. Check your nipples to see if you see any signs of irritation. Friction from clothing is a common cause of sore nipples. You see this a lot in athletes, so they are sometimes called "running spoons". In that case you suffer from the following symptoms:
   • Pain or tenderness.
   • Redness.
   • Dryness.
   • Cracks or fissures.
   • Bleeding.
2. Rinse the area with water and mild soap. Like any injury, a broken nipple can become inflamed. To avoid this, wash the nipples gently with soap and water. Then dry it well.
   • If you let nipples dry, it is best to do it in the air. If you have to, blot with a towel. Rubbing causes even more irritation and pain.
   • An antiseptic such as alcohol can make the pain worse.
3. Use lanolin cream on the painful areas. Lanolin is a product that protects the skin. It moisturizes the skin, soothes pain and heals chafing and chapping. You can buy cream with lanolin at the drugstore or pharmacy.
   • You can also use petroleum jelly. This retains moisture and prevents clothing from rubbing against your skin.
4. Ice it for the pain. If the sanding hurts a lot, you can put ice on it to ease the pain.
   • Always wrap it in a towel, whether you're using an ice pack or just a bag of ice. If you put it directly on the skin, you can get frostbite symptoms.
   • Don't leave the ice on your skin for more than 20 minutes or it could get damaged. If it still hurts, let the skin warm up, then put ice on it again.
5. Take precautions to prevent chafing. If you have treated the sore nipples, you need to take measures to prevent future problems.
   • Wear a loose-fitting shirt when you exercise. Wear a shirt made of synthetic material rather than cotton, as cotton can be rough.
   • A material that wicks away moisture prevents you from sweating too much, which can also irritate the skin.
   • Women should wear properly fitting sports bras. A bra that is too loose will allow the breasts to move too much, which can cause the nipples to rub against the bra.
   • Put petroleum jelly on your nipples. That protects them from further abrasion.
   • Put a special nipple plaster on it. You can also use regular patches, but taking them off can be painful, especially if you have hair on your chest.
6. If it doesn't get better within a few days, see a doctor. With proper care, the sore nipple should be over in a few days. If it doesn't heal, see your doctor. Perhaps the irritation is caused by another condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, or an infection with the staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

Method 2 of 3: Soothe sore nipples from breastfeeding

1. Place a warm, moist compress on your nipples. The warmth of the compress soothes the pain. Doing this right after feeding will not only soothe the pain, but will also clean the nipples right away.
   • Instead of using a warm compress, don't put anything warm on your nipples, such as a hair dryer or heating pad. These home remedies don't work and can even be harmful.
   • Sore nipples cause many women to stop breastfeeding prematurely, so it's important to take care of your nipples and relieve the pain.
2. Rub a few drops of breast milk on your nipples. The natural nutrients in the milk can soothe the pain. It also has antibacterial properties, so this can prevent infections. Let your nipples air dry after putting the milk on them so that the skin can absorb the nutrients properly.
3. Apply lanolin cream to your nipples after feeding. To further protect the skin and soothe pain between feedings, you can apply some lanolin cream to your nipples. This can be purchased at the drugstore or pharmacy.
   • You can also use petroleum jelly. This retains moisture and prevents clothing from rubbing against your skin.
   • Whether you're using lanolin or petroleum jelly, let it sit until the next feed. Then rinse it off with warm water before your baby starts drinking.
4. Before feeding, put ice on your nipples. If your nipples are still sensitive from the previous feeding, you can numb them with ice.
   • Always wrap it in a towel, whether you're using an ice pack or just a bag of ice. If you put it directly on the skin, you can get frostbite symptoms.
   • Don't leave the ice on your skin for more than 20 minutes or it could get damaged.
5. Take a pain reliever. If your nipples hurt a lot, a pain reliever can help. Only use painkillers in conjunction with the other methods to heal your nipples, otherwise you will just mask the pain without addressing the problem.
   • Paracetamol is best in this case, although you can also take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Both are safe to use if you are breastfeeding, but it is always better to consult your doctor before taking any medication.
6. Change the attitude. If you are in a lot of pain from breastfeeding, it may help to change positions. Check out this website for more details on different postures.
7. If the pain does not go away, see your doctor. Persistent or excruciating pain is not normal and can be caused by another problem. See your doctor and have the pain diagnosed elsewhere, or ask for other breastfeeding techniques. Cracked or chafed nipples may need to be treated with antibiotics.

Method 3 of 3: Soothe sore nipples due to hormonal changes

1. Assess your hormonal state if your nipples hurt. Hormonal changes can lead to swollen breasts and nipples, causing them to hurt. Normally this is caused by an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. There are a few situations where these hormonal fluctuations are normal.
   • During pregnancy, especially during the first few months.
   • Just before or during your period.
   • At the beginning of the transition.
   • Men can also experience this. It is usually because estrogen and testosterone are not in balance. Although men don't go through a period, pregnancy, or menopause, the hormones can still fluctuate.
   • Sore nipples can also be caused by obesity and peripheral conversion of estrogen into fat cells. This can lead to gynecomastia.
2. Apply a cold compress to your nipples. If the pain in the nipples is caused by hormonal fluctuations, a cream will not work. You can numb the pain better with a cold compress. Remember to always wrap an ice pack in a towel and leave it on the skin for no more than 20 minutes. If your nipples still hurt afterwards, you can apply the compress again when the skin has warmed up and you feel it again.
3. Take a pain reliever. To deal with pain and tenderness in your nipples due to hormonal changes, you can take a pain reliever. This numbs the pain so that you feel better.
   • Paracetamol is best in this case. Anti-inflammatory painkillers are of no use because hormones are the cause of the pain. But these remedies are just as effective for treating pain. Do not take aspirin if you are under 20 years of age to avoid the risk of Reye's Syndrome.
4. Choose a bra that supports your breasts better. If your nipples and breasts hurt, a bra with more support can help relieve the pain. This is especially important if you are pregnant to prevent your breasts from sagging.
   • You can also put on a sports bra when you go to sleep. Moving your breasts a lot at night can make the pain worse.
5. If pain persists, see a doctor. If the pain lasts for more than a few days to a week, it could be an indication of another problem. See your doctor for an examination so that you know if the pain is not from another cause.
6. Ask your doctor about danazol. If the pain in your breasts persists or is excruciating, your doctor may prescribe danazol. This drug has multiple uses, but it can be used to reduce swelling, pain, and tenderness in the breasts and nipples. It can cause androgenic side effects, so it is not prescribed quickly. Ask your doctor if it is suitable for you.

Tips

• Less caffeine and more vitamin E and evening primrose oil can help with breast pain.
• Do not put honey or vitamin E on your breasts before giving your baby a drink as it can be toxic.
• Diet and sports can have a major impact on sore nipples. Low fat and high carbohydrates have been proven to help with sore breasts during the menstrual cycle.

Warnings

• Always see a doctor if you have persistent unexplained pain in your nipples. Usually it is not serious, but it can be an indication of a serious illness such as breast cancer.