Healthy breasts are an essential part of overall health for both sexes, but especially for women. It's important to distinguish between normal and abnormal breast conditions; anything out of the ordinary could be a sign of cancer or other problems. Be sure to perform a self-exam of your breasts monthly and report any changes to your doctor. Certain conditions of the skin on your breasts can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription creams.
Body Creams
You can use regular body creams and lotions on your breast area. Keep in mind that many body creams are heavily scented, and the chemicals used to create the scent can sometimes be irritating to skin that is sensitive, dry or perspiring. Consider using an unscented body lotion for daily applications to the breasts if dry skin is a concern for you. Moisturizers that contain acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid can also be helpful in the breast area if you tend to develop acne there.
Creams for Eczema
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes skin to be very itchy, dry and inflamed. The upper chest is one of the places on the body where eczema often occurs, according to MayoClinic.com; an eczema outbreak could spread to your breast area as well.
Some over-the-counter creams that treat eczema are available, as well as prescription formulas issued by a doctor or dermatologist. Always ask a doctor before using corticosteroid creams or ointments to treat eczema, especially on the delicate breast area. Side effects such as infection and skin discoloration can result from their use.
Progesterone Cream
Progesterone cream is being studied as an alternative therapy for breast cancer. Progesterone is a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation and menstruation; it is given to women who are not having periods due to a progesterone deficiency and to women undergoing estrogen therapy, according to Drugs.com. However, according to Breastcancer.org, progesterone creams are not yet approved as a proven method to treat breast cancer. Only use progesterone cream on the breasts under a doctor's orders.
Nipple Cream
Some new mothers get cracked and bleeding nipples during breastfeeding. This is not a normal side effect; rather, it may indicate a more serious condition and should be corrected, according to BabyCenter.com. Severely dry skin and/or eczema can cause cracked nipples, as can improper positioning of the baby at the breast. If left untreated, bacteria can get into the cracked nipples and cause infections such as mastitis. Medical-grade lanolin cream can be used on deep cracks to seal the nipples off from bacteria and help soften skin, but other lotions and creams should be avoided if you have this condition.
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