Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPsoriasis SymptomsOther ConditionsHome RemediesPrescription MedicationCauses of FlaresIf Not Getting Better
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Psoriasis Symptoms
Other Conditions
Home Remedies
Prescription Medication
Causes of Flares
If Not Getting Better
Psoriasisis anautoimmune skin conditionin which the immune system malfunctions and speeds up skin cell growth. It can occur anywhere on the body, but it rarely occurs on the nipples or areola (the pigmented area on the breast around the nipple).
Other skin diseases, likeeczemaandPaget’s disease of the breast, are more likely to present on the nipples and areola and resemble psoriasis.
There is very little medical research on nipple-areola psoriasis, but what is available suggests nipple psoriasis is often related toplaque psoriasisthat starts in the breast tissue and extends into the areola and nipple.It is also possible for only the nipples and areolas to be affected. Plaque psoriasis causes thick patches calledplaqueson the skin.
Plaques can be itchy, dry, and painful. If they appear on breast tissue, they may cause soreness, cracking, and peeling of the skin of the areolas and nipples.Plaque psoriasis affecting the breasts and nipples differs frominverse psoriasis, which causes psoriatic lesions under the breasts and other skinfold areas.
This article will cover the symptoms of psoriasis on nipples, how nipple psoriasis might affect pregnancy and breastfeeding, other conditions that cause similar symptoms, home remedies, and more.
Prostock-Studio / Getty Images
Identifying Psoriasis on the Nipple Symptoms
Psoriasis of the nipple can appear ashyperkeratosisof the nipple and areola.Hyperkeratosisrefers to the thickening of the skin’s outermost layer, which is made of a protein calledkeratin.
Keratin overgrowth occurs in various skin conditions, including psoriasis. Hyperkeratosis can also be idiopathic (primary and presenting on its own) or secondary to a skin condition like psoriasis.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNetwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
New psoriasis plaques might also occur in new parents who breastfeed or chest-feed as aKoebner phenomenoneffect.The Koebner phenomenon occurs when new plaques form at a skin injury site where psoriasis wasn’t there before.
Psoriasis symptoms that may affect the nipples and areola include:
The Parts of the Breast
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Psoriasis can change during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), up to 50% of people with psoriasis had symptom improvement during pregnancy.Some will have no symptom changes, while 10% to 20% will experience worsening symptoms.
It is also possible for psoriasis to flare up shortly after delivery. The NPF says that both vaginal and cesarean (C-section) deliveries can lead to the Koebner phenomenon.A postpartum (after-delivery) psoriasis breakout can affect various body areas, including the breast, nipple, and areola.
Psoriasis can also present challenges for those seeking to breastfeed or chest-feed. Like giving birth, nursing increases the risk of new lesions in areas where the skin is irritated or scratched.Soreness of nipples from nursing and the stress of recent body, hormonal, and life changes can lead to new lesions on the nipples and areola.
What You Need to Know About Psoriasis and Family Planning
Where Else Might Psoriasis Appear?
Psoriasis can affect theskin, nails, and joints. The most common type is plaque psoriasis, which causes thickened and inflamed skin areas (plaques) covered in silvery scales.Symptoms of the condition can occur anywhere on the body.
The most common body areas where psoriasis presents include:
The breasts, areolas, and nipples are rarely affected but can be, especially if there is trauma or skin damage to those areas or you have experienced significant stressors.
Could My Nipple Symptoms Be Eczema or Paget’s Disease?
Eczema and Paget’s disease of the breast can cause similar symptoms to those seen in psoriasis and can affect the breasts, areolas, and nipples. Ayeast infection of the nipplemight also cause similar symptoms.
Nipple Eczema
Nipple eczematends to be a minor symptom ofatopic dermatitis.Atopic dermatitis is an eczema type that causes dryness, itch, rash, and other skin lesions. Nipple eczema will cause a red, itchy rash on the areolas and nipples. One or both nipples might be affected.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and © Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022
These symptoms can flare up or get worse at times. They may get better or go away within weeks or months, only to return.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and © Waikato District Health Boardwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Additional symptoms of nipple eczema include:
Secondary bacterial infectionscan occur with nipple eczema in areas where the skin is cracked or cut.Other complications includebreast mastitisor abscess or adverse reactions to medicines used to treat eczema.
Breast symptoms of dermatitis might also occur in people who are nursing.Genetic disposition or reaction to new allergies exposed through breastfeeding or chest-feeding can also trigger eczema in the breasts, areolas, and nipples.
Paget’s Disease of the Breast
Paget’s disease of the breast isbreast cancer.It is rare and typically starts in the nipples and spreads to the areola. Most people with Paget’s disease will also have one or more tumors inside the affected breast.
Symptoms of Paget’s disease typically affect one breast and include:
Early symptoms of Paget’s disease are often mistaken for benign skin conditions like eczema, and because the disease is so rare, it is often misdiagnosed.A person who develops the condition may have many months of symptoms before a correct diagnosis is made.
Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Yeast Infections
Symptoms of a nipple yeast infection include:
All About Nipples: Pointy, Flat, Inverted, and More
Home Remedies to Soothe Flaring Psoriasis on Nipple
Topicalsare recommended for treating psoriasis in sensitive body areas, including the areolas and nipples. Different over-the-counter (OTC) lotions, creams, and moisturizers that containsalicylic acidorcoal tarcan manage symptoms of psoriasis on the breasts, areolas, and nipples.
You will first want to try them on a small patch of affected skin before including them as part of your psoriasis treatment plan. This way, you can avoid an allergic reaction or side effects.
Additional home remedies for managing nipple psoriasis symptoms include:
Prescription-Grade Treatment for Nipple Psoriasis
A healthcare provider can prescribe treatments to control symptoms and help reduce the number of flare-ups (periods of high disease activity) you experience. For nipple psoriasis, a healthcare provider can prescribe topical treatments that are easier on sensitive, thin skin.
However, if you are pregnant or nursing, it is important to discuss whether systemic therapies are safe during this time.
Psoriasis Treatment and Management
Why Does Psoriasis Flare?
Psoriasis is a condition that waxes and wanes. You will have periods calledflare-upsin which disease activity is high and periods ofremissionwhere symptoms are minimal or gone.
Flare-ups are a hallmark of the disease. It is not unusual to be fine one day and not have any lesions only to wake up the next day to severe lesions and systemic symptoms like severe fatigue.
Knowing your triggers can help to prevent or reduce the number of flares you experience.
Commontriggers of psoriasis flaresinclude:
Tattoos and Autoimmune Disease
Psoriasis on Nipple Not Getting Better
If your nipple psoriasis symptoms are not improving, contact your healthcare provider. They can adjust your treatment plan and prescribe something that might work better.
You should contact a healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing fever, intense breast pain, have an open sore, or if there is nipple bleeding or yellow, red, or green discharge from the nipple.
You should also inform your healthcare provider if you notice:
These are signs of breast cancer and should be taken seriously.
Nipple Color and Other Changes
Summary
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease in which the immune system malfunctions and speeds up skin cell growth. Psoriatic skin symptoms can appear anywhere on the body, including on the nipples or areolas. This is rare and can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, including nipple eczema and Paget’s disease of the breast.
When psoriasis affects the nipples, it typically causes thick plaques that might be itchy, dry, and painful. Some people may also experience soreness, cracking, and peeling on the skin of the areolas and nipples. Additional symptoms include discoloration, soreness, and tenderness. Nipple psoriasis seems to be more common after childbirth and with breastfeeding or chest-feeding.
Home remedies and systemic therapies can help manage symptoms. Home remedies include OTC topical medicines, natural ointments like coconut balm, OTC pain relievers, and cold compresses.
A healthcare provider can prescribe systemic therapies, including prescription-strength topicals, biologics, and other DMARDs, to reduce symptoms and slow down the processes that lead to faster skin cell turnover.
Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms of nipple psoriasis are worsening or not improving. If you experience breast and nipple symptoms that concern you, including lumps in the breast, swelling in the lymph nodes, or nipple changes, do not put off seeing your healthcare provider.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Saritas AG, Dalci K, Topal U, Beydola S, Acıkalın A, Rencuuzogullari A.Psoriasis, a rare disease of the nipple-areola. A case report.Ann Ital Chir. 2019;8:S2239253X19031086.National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis.DermNet.Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola.Elwell R.The management and treatment of hyperkeratosis.Br J Nurs. 2017;26(8):468-470. doi:10.12968/bjon.2017.26.8.468Gottlieb AB, Ryan C, Murase JE.Clinical considerations for the management of psoriasis in women.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019;5(3):141-150. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.04.021National Psoriasis Foundation.Pregnancy and breastfeeding.La Leche League International.Psoriasis and breastfeeding.Raharja A,Mahil SK, Barker JN.Psoriasis: a brief overview.Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(3):170-173. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2021-0257Kim SK, Won YH, Kim SJ.Nipple eczema: a diagnostic challenge of allergic contact dermatitis.Ann Dermatol. 2014;26(3):413-414. doi:10.5021/ad.2014.26.3.413DermNet.Nipple eczema.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM.Breast conditions in the breastfeeding mother.Breastfeeding. 2022:572-593.doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-68013-4.00016-xNational Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.Douglas P.Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of nipple and breast candidiasis: A review of the relationship between diagnoses of mammary candidiasis andCandida albicansin breastfeeding women.Womens Health (Lond). 2021;17:17455065211031480. doi:10.1177/17455065211031480American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Saritas AG, Dalci K, Topal U, Beydola S, Acıkalın A, Rencuuzogullari A.Psoriasis, a rare disease of the nipple-areola. A case report.Ann Ital Chir. 2019;8:S2239253X19031086.National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis.DermNet.Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola.Elwell R.The management and treatment of hyperkeratosis.Br J Nurs. 2017;26(8):468-470. doi:10.12968/bjon.2017.26.8.468Gottlieb AB, Ryan C, Murase JE.Clinical considerations for the management of psoriasis in women.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019;5(3):141-150. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.04.021National Psoriasis Foundation.Pregnancy and breastfeeding.La Leche League International.Psoriasis and breastfeeding.Raharja A,Mahil SK, Barker JN.Psoriasis: a brief overview.Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(3):170-173. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2021-0257Kim SK, Won YH, Kim SJ.Nipple eczema: a diagnostic challenge of allergic contact dermatitis.Ann Dermatol. 2014;26(3):413-414. doi:10.5021/ad.2014.26.3.413DermNet.Nipple eczema.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM.Breast conditions in the breastfeeding mother.Breastfeeding. 2022:572-593.doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-68013-4.00016-xNational Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.Douglas P.Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of nipple and breast candidiasis: A review of the relationship between diagnoses of mammary candidiasis andCandida albicansin breastfeeding women.Womens Health (Lond). 2021;17:17455065211031480. doi:10.1177/17455065211031480American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Saritas AG, Dalci K, Topal U, Beydola S, Acıkalın A, Rencuuzogullari A.Psoriasis, a rare disease of the nipple-areola. A case report.Ann Ital Chir. 2019;8:S2239253X19031086.National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis.DermNet.Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola.Elwell R.The management and treatment of hyperkeratosis.Br J Nurs. 2017;26(8):468-470. doi:10.12968/bjon.2017.26.8.468Gottlieb AB, Ryan C, Murase JE.Clinical considerations for the management of psoriasis in women.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019;5(3):141-150. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.04.021National Psoriasis Foundation.Pregnancy and breastfeeding.La Leche League International.Psoriasis and breastfeeding.Raharja A,Mahil SK, Barker JN.Psoriasis: a brief overview.Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(3):170-173. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2021-0257Kim SK, Won YH, Kim SJ.Nipple eczema: a diagnostic challenge of allergic contact dermatitis.Ann Dermatol. 2014;26(3):413-414. doi:10.5021/ad.2014.26.3.413DermNet.Nipple eczema.Mitchell KB, Johnson HM.Breast conditions in the breastfeeding mother.Breastfeeding. 2022:572-593.doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-68013-4.00016-xNational Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.Douglas P.Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of nipple and breast candidiasis: A review of the relationship between diagnoses of mammary candidiasis andCandida albicansin breastfeeding women.Womens Health (Lond). 2021;17:17455065211031480. doi:10.1177/17455065211031480American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
Saritas AG, Dalci K, Topal U, Beydola S, Acıkalın A, Rencuuzogullari A.Psoriasis, a rare disease of the nipple-areola. A case report.Ann Ital Chir. 2019;8:S2239253X19031086.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Inverse psoriasis.
DermNet.Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola.
Elwell R.The management and treatment of hyperkeratosis.Br J Nurs. 2017;26(8):468-470. doi:10.12968/bjon.2017.26.8.468
Gottlieb AB, Ryan C, Murase JE.Clinical considerations for the management of psoriasis in women.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019;5(3):141-150. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.04.021
National Psoriasis Foundation.Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
La Leche League International.Psoriasis and breastfeeding.
Raharja A,Mahil SK, Barker JN.Psoriasis: a brief overview.Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(3):170-173. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2021-0257
Kim SK, Won YH, Kim SJ.Nipple eczema: a diagnostic challenge of allergic contact dermatitis.Ann Dermatol. 2014;26(3):413-414. doi:10.5021/ad.2014.26.3.413
DermNet.Nipple eczema.
Mitchell KB, Johnson HM.Breast conditions in the breastfeeding mother.Breastfeeding. 2022:572-593.doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-68013-4.00016-x
National Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.
Douglas P.Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of nipple and breast candidiasis: A review of the relationship between diagnoses of mammary candidiasis andCandida albicansin breastfeeding women.Womens Health (Lond). 2021;17:17455065211031480. doi:10.1177/17455065211031480
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?.
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