It's always annoying when you have an itch.
We all get it sometimes, but it can be infuriating when it happens. If you're a woman, you'll know you can also get itchy boobs, but it turns out there may be a reason why.
There are many reasons why it may be happening, and it could be something to do with your bra. It turns out it may just need a wash.
READ MORE: Eight surprising things that can make boobs sag – from smoking to how you sleep
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Recently up to 81,000,000 people have been searching "itchy breast" on Google, which implies it's a bit of a problem. More often than not, it's usually nothing to worry about, but there may be reasons why it's happening.
To help women get to know their breasts a little better, UK leading Plastic Surgeon’s and founders ofImplant Health Mr. Paul Harris, Mr. Amir Sadri and Mr. Aadil Khan explained all.
They revealed the five surprising reasons your breasts might be giving you the itch.
Your bra needs a wash or doesn’t fit
Let’s face it, we all have a go-to bra that we reach for more often than we care to admit. Unfortunately, there comes a time when that bra has seen better days, and it tends to be a rare occasion that it sees a washing machine.
While we're all guilty, it can cause issues with our boobs. Firstly, the skin breeds bacteria and all the dead skin cells, oils and sweat can become trapped within the fabric making it a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.
This can begin to irritate the skin, causing it to itch and resulting in some unpleasant odours.
When it comes to fitting, it's very important that you measure your bra size accurately. Besides being dreadfully uncomfortable, ill-fitting bras can cause lumps around the breasts. While these lumps are usually nothing to worry about, they can sometimes cause concern and should always be checked out by a professional.
If you have implants, and you have noticed any lumps or unusual changes to the shape or size of the breast, it's very important that you book in for a clinical screening to check for any abnormalities. There are dedicated, clinical screening services, such as Implant Health, that monitor both breast health and implant changes over time, allowing for the early detection of any problems and effective treatment.
Changing weather
At the moment the weather in the UK is a little unpredictable. As we head into winter, this could also be one reason your breasts are feeling a little pricklier than usual.
Naturally, the skin is impacted by the weather. When it’s cold, it may become a little drier, but when it's warm – you may find a lot of trapped body heat can accumulate around the breast.
This may cause the areas between and underneath your breasts to sweat, resulting in them feeling a little itchy and making the skin sore.
Perimenopause
Did you know, it's quite common to experience the symptoms of perimenopause as early as 30? In the ten years leading up to menopause, your body goes through some remarkable changes, including hormonal changes that can lead to itching.
In the years leading up to menopause, it's normal to feel a little itchy for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the decline in oestrogen and collagen within the body makes the skin feel drier, which can cause the areas that hold body heat, such as the breasts and genitals to itch.
Secondly, the change in hormone levels can cause your body temperature to spike suddenly. This is typically known as a hot flush, and again the added sweat can lead to itching.
Your skin is stretching
Skin stretching around the breasts is usually associated with rapid growth, including puberty, weight gain and pregnancy. However, it can also happen following breast procedures, including augmentations.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Healthy and hydrated skin can stretch and return to normal when released. Naturally, we all go through childhood, adolescence and adulthood where our skin goes through huge expansion, but this occurs over an extended period of time.
When we gain weight rapidly, or become pregnant, the skin stretches faster than it grows, which can cause itchiness and skin inflammation.
If you have recently undergone a breast augmentation itching is a normal part of the healing process. During the procedure, the skin must be stretched to accommodate your implants. Most people find that the itching goes away within a few months of surgery.
You may be pregnant
Besides the skin beginning to stretch to accommodate new life, during pregnancy your hormone levels can be a little all over the place. These changes can leave your knockers feeling a little tingly, and maybe even sore.
During the first stages of pregnancy, your breasts begin to prepare to produce milk. Naturally, the hormone progesterone will begin to increase, and the tissue will change causing the breasts to become itchy.
You may also notice your breasts begin to increase in size and become a little harder to the touch. Sometimes during pregnancy, you may also develop lumps around the breast. These are usually benign and have to do with hormonal changes.
Again, if you notice any lumps or anything unusual about the breast, you should get them checked out by a medical professional.
A recent study highlighted that over 40% of women openly admit to never checking their breasts. If you regularly check your breasts, are you doing it correctly?
Ideally, women should thoroughly examine their breasts once per month, on the same day or a couple of days after a period.
Stand in front of a mirror with the shoulders straight, and arms on your hips. Check for any visual changes in size or shape – this is particularly important if you have breast implants as it could signify a rupture.
You should also check for changes to the nipple area and skin.
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