Therapy
How the burning of the nipples can be treated always depends on the trigger. For sensitive nipples due to hormonal fluctuations, it may help to cool the nipples slightly. If the burning sensation is due to mechanical irritation caused by the bra, it can help to seek advice when buying a new bra and thus ensure softer material and a good fit.
In the case of breastfeeding women, attempts can be made to provide relief by using a nursing cap or nipple ointment. By optimising the breastfeeding technique, the strain on the nipples can also be reduced. If the burning sensation is due to a skin disease such as neurodermatitis, the doctor (usually a dermatologist) can prescribe special creams and ointments against the inflammatory skin change. If the burning of the nipples is due to an inflammation of the breast (mastitis), the use of antibiotics and pain and fever-reducing agents (e.g. ibuprofen) is usually necessary. Cooling with moist compresses can also provide relief.
Duration
If a burning sensation is caused by sensitive nipples due to hormonal fluctuations, the symptoms often subside after a few days. Even when breastfeeding, the burning sensation often subsides after a few days and weeks, when mother and child have found the optimal breastfeeding position and the nipples have become accustomed to the strain. Burning of the nipples in the case of mastitis can be treated well by administering antibiotics, so that the discomfort subsides after a few days.
If the burning continues for several weeks and additional changes to the nipple become apparent, a doctor should be consulted to rule out serious causes. In the worst case, a benign or malignant tumour (Paget’s disease, inflammatory breast carcinoma) can be behind the therapy-resistant burning sensation.
