General pain or tenderness. Redness. Dryness. Cracks or fissures. Bleeding.
When you dry your nipple, air drying is best. If necessary, pat it with a towel. Rubbing will increase the irritation and pain. Using an antiseptic like alcohol will probably make the inflammation worse.
Alternatively, you could also apply petroleum jelly to the area. This will lock in moisture and prevent the area from rubbing against your clothes. [4] X Research source
Whether you use a commercial cold pack or a bag of ice, be sure to wrap it in a towel. Ice applied directly to the skin can cause frostbite. Do not leave the ice on for longer than 20 minutes. This can damage the skin. If the area is still painful, allow the skin to warm up before reapplying the ice.
Wear a loose-fitting shirt during athletic activities. Also wear a shirt made from synthetic material instead of cotton, since cotton can be abrasive. Moisture-wicking materials will also keep sweat away from the area and help prevent chafing. Women should make sure to wear a sports bra that fits properly. A loose-fitting bra will allow too much movement and cause the nipples to rub against the bra. Apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly to your nipples. This will help protect the area and prevent chafing. Cover your nipples with a specialized product like NipGuard. Alternatively you could use a band aid to cover your nipples, but removal may be painful, especially if you have hair on your chest.
Do not substitute a warm compress with other heating methods like a hair dryer or heater. These home remedies have been debunked and are considered harmful. Sore nipples is the most common reason for discontinuation of breast feeding in women, so it’s important to tend to your nipples to relieve the pain.
Alternatively, you could also apply petroleum jelly to the area. This will lock in moisture and prevent the area from rubbing against your clothes. [5] X Research source Whether you use lanolin or petroleum jelly, keep it on until the next time you feed to keep your nipples protected. Then rinse it off with water right before feeding. [6] X Research source
Whether you use a commercial cold pack or a bag of ice, be sure to wrap it in a towel. Ice applied directly to the skin can cause frostbite. Do not leave the ice on for longer than 20 minutes. This can damage the skin.
In this case, acetaminophen is the best option, though NSAID pain relievers will also be effective. Both are safe to use while breast feeding, but you should still confirm with your doctor before taking any medication. [7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
During pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. [8] X Research source Right before or during menstruation. [9] X Research source When women begin entering menopause. Men can also experience this. It is usually because of an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone. While men don’t experience menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, it’s still common for hormones to fluctuate. [10] X Research source Sore nipples can be caused by obesity and peripheral conversion of estrogen in fat cells. this can lead to gynecomastia.
In this case, acetaminophen is the best option. NSAIDs reduce inflammation, which isn’t causing your nipples to hurt in this case. NSAIDs will also be effective, however. Avoid aspirin if you are under 20 because of risk of Reye’s Syndrome.
You might also want to wear a sports bra while sleeping. If the breasts move at night, it could make the pain worse.
