Itchy Nipples

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

Right, this is driving me mad.

I had an infection in my right nipple piercing about 2 weeks ago, and now its maddeningly itchy. I thought this was an infection thing, but now the left one's started itching too (and it is not, and never was infected). The skin on the nipple itself is really dry and flaky/peely, and they're both so so itchy.
I've been putting moisturiser for dry skin on them every night, but it doesn't seem to be making a difference.

Please help!! Does anyone know if this is a weather/allergic reaction? Or whether its a 'get to the doctor now' thing?

Comments

[vaselinetrees.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything amazing for you as far as advice goes - but stay away from scented lotions or even stuff like Dove. Try using Eucerin, it does wonders for dry/cracked/itchy skin.

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

I'm going to give E45 a try tonight (i just remembered i have some!) If that doesn't work, then i'll be on a hunt for Eucerin tomorrow.

[photobooth15501.livejournal.com]

TRY AQUAPHOR! It's made by Eucerin, and it's expensive but if dry skin is the problem, it will definitely do the trick. You can find it at any major drugstore. Hope you get some relief soon!

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

I'll have a look for it, but i've never seen it in the UK before.

I hope i get relief soon!

[photobooth15501.livejournal.com]

yeah, just as a hint a lot of mother's use it when babies get "cradle cap" (super dry, flaky skin on face & head) so it might be with kid stuff!

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

aaah, i think i might know what kind of thing to replace it with then...thanks!

[daniellec.livejournal.com]

My nipples itch if I wear shirts or bras that are all cotton or wool. For the dry skin you might want to try vaseline.

[tornattheelbo.livejournal.com]

i'd bet the itching is from infection. Use a water-soluble antiseptic ointment (there is a good one called MECCA) Anything made with petroleum jelly is BAD. It can clog up your ducts and cause more problems.

Did you see your piercer when your piercings became infected? If you haven't yet, i highly suggest you do, and ask them to flush the piercings out with saline.

You should also take a good look at your aftercare regimen, the dryness and peeling could be from over-cleaning, or even a sensitivity to whatever you may be using. Try using a warm salt-water solution instead.

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

hehe i AM a piercer.
The infection has gone now, i took antibiotics and slathered on antibiotic cream for a week and its all healthy again.

The itching is on both sides as well, not just the infected one. Its really odd and scaly...and ITCHY!!

I'm going to have a go at E45 tonight, and if that doesn't work by friday, i'm going to use the antibiotic stuff again just to make sure that there is definitely no infection left (there are no symptoms).

I've had the piercings for 4 years or so now, so aftercare has pretty much gone out of the window because its not needed.

Thanks for you concern though x

[maeganblue.livejournal.com]

It could be the skin is healing. If you've ever had a scab from a cut anywhere and it got really itchy, and you're mother told you "don't scratch it. It's just healing"

That might be it. You're nipple are very sensitive skin, so if it's healing like a scab would, it'd probably be extremly aggravating.

I'm no expert on nipple piercings though so, if nothing else works, and it's bugging you, you either might need to take the piercings out, or call your doctor. But if it's not infected, it could just be healing or dry.

Definatly avoid scented lotions. Lubriderm, or maybe goldbond lotion might help. Goldbond is a good brand for itchy skin.

[autumn-sylver.livejournal.com]

"It could be the skin is healing. If you've ever had a scab from a cut anywhere and it got really itchy, and you're mother told you "don't scratch it. It's just healing"

That might be it. You're nipple are very sensitive skin, so if it's healing like a scab would, it'd probably be extremly aggravating."

That's a good point. When I got my bellybutton pierced, as it was healing it would sometimes get itchy, so I'd go wash it, and then it would be fine.

[preternatural.livejournal.com]

Just a thought - if a nursing mom said to me that her nipples were flaky and itchy, I'd immediately think thrush. Since you have been taking antibiotics and putting antibiotic cream on the nipples, I'm going to suggest that maybe you've now got a yeast/bacteria imbalance and resulting yeast infection?

[tornattheelbo.livejournal.com]

hey this is a v.v. good point. maybe some genetian violet is in order!

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

ooh, i'll have a look for some cream to go on them then. Thanks!

[preternatural.livejournal.com]

You'll want clotrimazole or miconazole, btw - tolnaftate doesn't cover candida.

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

thankyou. i really didn't think about the possibility of thrush. It makes sense now.

[tornattheelbo.livejournal.com]

then it sounds like overkill with the anti-biotics, likely. try to just leave it alone... if you must put something on it, vitamin E oil should be ok...

Totally off topic

[autumn-sylver.livejournal.com]

I was wondering how do you become a piercer? For some reason I've had an interest in becoming a piercer lately. (I think it's also because I'd like to have a non-conventional job). I like the look of piercings, and since I took a lab technician course (and I know I can stick a needle in someone. Heh), I've been becoming more interested in it for some reason.
Do you just walk in somewhere and become an apprentice or something?

Re: Totally off topic

[kaelstra.livejournal.com]

You have to apprentice most places and take health classes and such. Usually it takes a year or more of no pay apprenticing before they'll even let you touch someone. You should call around and see if anyone is seeking apprentices.

Re: Totally off topic

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

I trained through sheer luck i'm afraid. I had some work done, and then had to have 3 weeks work experience at Uni, so i went to the studio to do it.

I'm only basically trained at the moment, but i hope to finish the full course and open a studio in the next couple of years.

Re: Totally off topic

[the-fee-fairy.livejournal.com]

I didn't train in three weeks...i got my training afterwards.