Burning Sensation in Breasts: 12 Possible Causes and Home Remedies
At times a burning sensation in breasts may concern you and make you think why do my breasts burn?
Every woman must pay attention to the health of her breasts. Composed of nerves, glandular tissues, fat tissues, blood vessels, connective tissues, and lymph nodes mammary glands are an epitome of femininity.
In some cases, the burning sensation felt in the breasts is not a serious issue and may be due to a noncancerous tumor. But in other cases, it may be a symptom of a severe ailment.
So if you are experiencing an unexplained pain and burning sensation in breasts, it is essential to consult a doctor for proper treatment.
Related Reading: Pain under Left Breast Treatments
What Causes Burning Sensation in Breasts?
The causes of burning sensation in breasts may range from benign to life-threatening. Some of the common causes are:
1. Muscle Strain
Sometimes the pain in the breasts is due to the chest muscle present beneath the breasts. Any pressure on these muscles during exercise or injury can result in a burning sensation in the breasts.
2. Clogged Milk Duct
Clogged milk ducts can cause burning sensation in breasts. This condition develops when the milk does not drain properly from the milk ducts of a breastfeeding woman.
A red lump appears in the breasts of a breastfeeding woman which causes burning sensation. If the clogged ducts are not treated, it can lead to breast infection.
3. Neuropathy
Neuropathy or nerve damage can cause a burning sensation in breasts. It can be a result of various disorders, including diabetes, abnormal nerve function, or chemotherapy.
Nerve damage in most cases is permanent but can be reduced with proper medications and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
4. Breast Infection (Mastitis)
Breast infection or mastitis can cause burning sensation in breasts of breastfeeding mothers. It is because sucking damages the skin around the nipples and allows the entry of bacteria.
This condition causes a continuous burning sensation, which increases, even more, when the baby is feeding.
The pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as redness, swelling, and fever.
5. Inflammatory Breast Cancer
It is a rare type of cancer accounting only five percent of breast cancer.
It is caused when there is a hindrance to the flow of lymphatic fluid in the lymph vessels of the breasts. The breasts get inflamed leading to redness and a burning sensation.
6. Hormonal Fluctuations
Changes in the hormones during menstrual cycles and pregnancy can also cause a burning sensation in the breasts.
Some women experience this searing pain in breasts before or during menstruation. Others notice this pain around the time of ovulation.
7. Breast Cyst
Cysts can also cause burning sensation in breasts. These cysts are small pockets in your breasts filled with fluids and are usually noncancerous.
The breast cysts are rounded lumps with clear edges and there can be more than one cyst in the breasts.
8. Paget’s Disease
Paget’s disease is a rare form of breast cancer and one of the causes of burning sensation in the breasts.
This type of cancer begins in the nipple area and spreads within the breast. Women above the age of 50 years are more likely to get affected with this.
Itching, burning sensation, and skin flaking are some symptoms of this cancer.
9. Paresthesia
It is a burning sensation that is usually felt in hands, arms, legs or feet but can also occur in the chest and the breasts. This feeling is painless but is accompanied by itching and skin crawling.
10. Dry Skin
Having dry skin around the breast area can also cause pain and a burning sensation.
It is essential to keep your skin hydrated especially the nipple area. Use some vegetable oil or moisturizing cream for that purpose.
11. Diabetes
Diabetes can also be one of the causes of pain and burning sensation in breasts. Women having type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience this burning sensation in the breasts.
If diabetic women experience pain and burning sensation in the chest they should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Other causes of burning sensation in breasts include stress, back injury, arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Also, consumption of birth control pills can result in hormonal changes which cause pain and burning sensation in the breasts.
Natural Remedies for Burning Sensation in Breasts
How to get rid of burning sensation in the breasts?
Many women can get relief from the breast burning sensation with the below-mentioned home remedies. These treatments include:
1. Ice Packs
An ice pack can help a lot in relieving the burning sensation in breast. Put some crushed ice on a clean cloth and put it over your breasts.
2. Hot Compress
This could be one of the most beneficial remedies for providing relief from the burning sensation. Soak a clean cloth in warm water and place it on your breasts for at least 15 minutes.
It increases the blood circulation in the breasts and hence reduce burning sensation and breast pain.
3. Meditation
Relaxation therapies like meditation and yoga can be very beneficial in lowering burning sensation.
Regular meditation and yoga can control the anxiety levels associated with the breast pain and burning sensation in breasts.
4. Dietary Changes
Some dietary changes can help in getting rid of the burning sensation and breast pain. Have a low-fat diet that includes more complex carbohydrate and also increase the intake of minerals.
Vitamin E is beneficial in reducing the burning sensation in breast, especially in the premenstrual women.
5. Consume Basil Juice
If you drink a glass of basil juice mixed with honey regularly, it will help in getting rid of the breast pain and burning sensation.
Also, if you chew some fresh basil leaves every morning, you will rarely suffer from this condition.
6. Castor Oil
Castor oil is very useful in reducing burning sensation in the breasts that comes and goes. It increases circulation and eliminates inflammatory factors from the body.
Mix a tablespoon of castor oil with two tablespoons of olive oil and use this mixture to massage gently all over the breasts.
Follow this daily in the week before your period to ease the breast pain.
7. Weight Loss
Shedding the extra kilos can also help in providing relief from the breast pain and burning sensation. It is even advised always to wear an extra supportive bra during exercise.
8. Surgeries and Other Treatments
In some cases, there is a need for surgery to treat the burning sensation. It is essential to consult your doctor to check for the symptoms and suggest an appropriate treatment.
When to See the Doctor for Burning Sensation in Breasts?
There can be instances when the burning sensation in the breasts is because of something as minor as a muscle strain or a life-threatening condition like cancer.
You should visit your physician if along with the burning sensation in breasts you experience other symptoms such as nausea, chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath.
If you have diabetes and experience burning sensation in breast, then you need to consult the doctor at the earliest.
Read Next:
- What Causes Sharp Vagina Pain and How to Treat It?
- What Does Morning Sickness Feel Like? How to Treat It?
Sources:
Kerkar, P., “Burning Sensation In Breast: Causes, Ways to Get Rid of it,” Epainassist web site, August 4, 2017;https://www.epainassist.com/chest-pain/burning-sensation-in-breast.
“Burning Sensation in Breasts,” Med-Health web site; http://www.med-health.net/burning-sensation-in-breast.html, last accessed November 07, 2017.
Tremblay, S., “What Are the Causes of Burning Sensations in the Breast?” August 14, 2017, Livestrong web site; https://www.livestrong.com/article/252164-what-are-the-causes-of-burning-sensations-in-the-breast.
