What causes chronic nipple itching after augmentation? It's been almost 9 years and sometimes I just want to scratch the nipple off. I honestly would rather have no feeling than this itching
Hello Kireid, So sorry you have this chronic itching. Did you have the entry scar at the edge of the areola? And, if so, is the scar flat or a little thickened? Thicker scars can often be itchy and might be helped by injecting a little low dose steroid. If there is no nearby scar, then it is likely that a nerve got "tweaked" during your augmentation. I recommend my patients try Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 100 mg daily (for one month)
as it is a nerve stabilizer and can sometimes help frazzled nerves to calm down. It's over the counter. Also, taking an antihistamine like benedryl or claritin can help. Benedryl lotion rubbed on can calm itching. Try not to scratch, as the scratching causes the release of more histamine that worsens the itching. You may also want to return to your plastic surgeon if these home remedies don't break the vicious cycle, and see if steroids (either topical or injected) might be worth trying. Good luck!
Hello and thank you for your excellent question. I think that Dr. Johnson has done an excellent job of summarizing your options. Sometimes patients respond to antihistamines like Prevacid, as well. Have you tried an injection of local anesthetic to alleviate the sensation? If so, you may be a candidate for an interventional pain management technique. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!