Nipples in focus: What is normal and when you should monitor them

Nipples are an often overlooked part of the breast - yet they are highly sensitive, hormonally influenced and an important indicator of health and cycle changes. Nevertheless, there is a lot of uncertainty: Why do nipples sometimes itch? Are nipple pimples normal? And what does it mean if they hurt or pull inwards? In this article, we get to the bottom of these questions and show how nipples change over the course of a woman's life.

The nipple (medically: mamilla) is located centrally on the areola. It is rich in nerve endings and is therefore particularly sensitive.

Under the skin of the nipple are:

• Milk ducts, which transport breast milk in breastfeeding women

• Sebaceous glands (Montgomery glands), which keep the skin supple

• Connective tissue, nerves and small muscle cells that react to cold or friction, for example

Depending on the cycle phase, hormone status or temperature, the nipple can change visibly - for example by becoming erect or more intensely colored.

Many menstruating women report that their nipples are particularly sensitive, tense or even painful shortly before their period. This is due to hormonal changes - especially progesterone and oestrogen - which affect the breast tissue.

A pulling, burning or tingling sensation in the nipple can also occur and is usually cycle-related. If the feeling lasts longer or is particularly uncomfortable, we recommend talking to your doctor.

It is worth taking a closer look at the cause. Possible triggers could be

• Friction caused by tight bras or synthetic fabrics

• Dry skin or allergic reactions to care products

• Hormonal fluctuations (e.g. PMS or pregnancy)

• Fungal infections (e.g. thrush), especially in breastfeeding women

• Milk blisters or blocked sebaceous glands

In rare cases, pain or itching can also indicate an inflammation or skin disease such as eczema. If you are unsure, a gynecological examination should be carried out.

Small skin blemishes can also occur on or around the nipple. This is usually harmless. Here are a few possible causes:

• Sebaceous gland congestion: Pimple-like, usually painless

• Montgomery glands: Visible bumps on the areola, completely normal

• Blisters or white spots: Often caused by friction, breastfeeding or infection

• Folliculitis: Hair follicle inflammation caused by bacteria

Good to know: Not every lump is cause for concern - but if a hardening cannot be moved, it should be medically examined.

During pregnancy, the body prepares for breastfeeding. The nipples:

• become darker and larger

• can be sensitive or itchy

• sometimes show small nodules due to enlarged glands

Have you ever wondered where exactly the milk comes out of the nipple? Several milk ducts (approx. 15-20) open out of the nipple, through which milk comes out during breastfeeding. The openings are tiny and not always visible - they are distributed over the tip of the nipple.

The skin of the nipple is particularly delicate. The following points help to prepare them for breastfeeding:

• fresh breast milk can help the nipples to heal - so apply a little breast milk before and after breastfeeding

• Wear bras made of soft cotton

• if necessary, gently stroke the nipples to get used to the touch

• do not allow the nipples to dry out (for example by washing them with aggressive soap)

• allow your nipples to air dry and do not rub the skin with a towel (gentle dabbing is fine)

• Change your nursing pads regularly - wet pads are an ideal breeding ground for germs (e.g. thrush)

By the way: Do you already know our washable nursing pads made of bamboo? Not only are they super absorbent, but thanks to the soft material they are also gentle on your skin - ideal for sensitive nipples. With Taynie, you can also make your breastfeeding time sustainable and don't have to resort to conventional disposable pads that have to be disposed of after a single use. You can check out our washable bamboo nursing pads here. Do you already know the benefits of bamboo viscose? If not, it's definitely worth taking a look at this blog post.

Are you not only looking for washable nursing pads, but also want to make your entire time in the postpartum period sustainable? Then we have just the thing for you! With our Taynie Mom box, you are not only equipped for breastfeeding thanks to the nursing pads in pink. It also includes our Taynie Comfort ultra period panties and an extra sanitary napkin for the night so that you can also collect your menstrual flow with sustainable and skin-friendly products. Take a look at our mom box here.

In the first few days after giving birth, breastfeeding can be unfamiliar or even painful. The nipples usually adapt within 1-2 weeks - provided the baby is latched on correctly. If pain persists, breastfeeding advice or consultation with a midwife or doctor can help.

Flat or small nipples are no obstacle to breastfeeding. It is important to latch on correctly, because the baby sucks on part of the areola, not just the tip. If you are unsure, a lactation consultant can help.

Some forms of breast cancer can be seen on the nipple, e.g:

• suddenly retracted nipple

• weeping or scaly skin changes (e.g. Paget's disease)

• Discharge (especially bloody), especially if it only comes from one nipple

Unusual changes should therefore always be examined by a doctor.

Have you ever heard that changes in the skin that resemble cellulite can also indicate breast cancer? You can find out more here.

Did you know that 80 out of 100 people notice their tumor when they palpate themselves? So regular breast palpation is a must. Find out here how and when you should palpate your breasts.

Yes, hair on the nipple is completely normal and nothing to worry about. There are hair follicles around the areola from which hair can grow, just like on other parts of the body. The number and thickness of these hairs varies from person to person and can be influenced by hormonal fluctuations, e.g. during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause. Are you unsure about your body hair? Then we can provide you with positive body hair vibes here.

However, if you suddenly experience increased hair growth, it is worth consulting a doctor, as this may be an indication of hormonal changes. This could be due to PCO syndrome. If you want to find out more about this, you can read our blog post on this topic here.

Shaving in the breast area can easily injure the sensitive skin of the nipple. Shaving or depilatory creams are therefore not recommended due to the sensitive skin around the nipple. Small cuts should be

• cleaned with water

• Protected from further friction (it is best to wear loose clothing made from skin-friendly materials)

The same applies here: If there is heavy bleeding or inflammation, it is better to seek medical advice.

Do you regularly cut yourself when shaving your leg, genital or underarm hair? Then this may be due to your razor. Conventional disposable razors often require a lot of pressure and therefore injure the skin. In addition, the gel strip on these razors is known to cause skin irritation. If you're tired of this, then you should take a look at our Taynie safety razor. Our razor has a sharp blade that glides smoothly over the skin and requires little pressure when shaving. Additional plus: The razor is made of metal and is therefore much more sustainable than standard plastic razors. What's more, the razor does not have to be disposed of after use, but can be reused. The razor comes with 10 blades, which you should replace regularly. You can take a look at the different colors of our razor here.

Flat or inward-pointing nipples are not uncommon. A distinction is made between

• Congenital flat or inverted nipples: harmless and not a sign of illness

• Newly retracted nipple: should be observed as it can be an indication of a tissue change (e.g. breast cancer)

A nipple that is suddenly drawn inwards on one side should therefore be examined by a gynecologist.

Caution is advised if:

• Pain, itching or burning persist for a long time

• fluid (bloody, clear or purulent) leaks from the nipple

• the shape or color suddenly changes

• a lump forms under or in the nipple

• the nipple appears retracted on one side

The following applies here: It is better to have too much clarified than too little

Nipples are highly sensitive areas of the body that can change again and again over the course of a woman's life. "Normal" here means: individual. We at Taynie therefore recommend paying attention to your nipples, treating them with care and not hesitating to seek medical help if you are unsure.

Author: Taynie.de