Why does the inside of my breast feel itchy? I got saline implants in 2017

Question

I got saline implants behind the muscle in 2017, the past year I've had a constant itchy feeling inside of my breast behind the areola. I've tried massaging it but the feeling does not go away.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

An itchy or irritated feeling deep in the breast after implants can come from several causes, including nerve irritation, scar tissue around the implant, changes in the capsule, irritation around the nipple-areola complex, or an unrelated breast or skin issue. With saline implants, a leak usually causes noticeable deflation rather than only itching, but implant position, capsular contracture, or local tissue changes still need to be checked in person.

Because this has been constant for a year and has not improved with massage, it would be wise to see a board-certified plastic surgeon or your breast-care physician for an exam. Depending on your age, exam findings, and screening history, they may recommend ultrasound, mammogram, or other imaging to look at the breast tissue and the implant pocket. Massage is unlikely to solve a persistent internal sensation if the cause is nerve, capsule, or breast-tissue related.

Seek more urgent evaluation if you notice a new lump, nipple discharge, increasing pain, redness, warmth, fever, swelling, sudden asymmetry, or a change in breast shape. If the exam and imaging are reassuring, the symptom may still be managed conservatively, but it should not be ignored when it is new and persistent.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear RSMember19543,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

The most common reason for itching after breast augmentation is some degree of nerve irritation or injury.  The vast majority of the time, nerve-related symptoms resolve without intervention by month 6 to 12.  Nerve symptoms that persists like your have can be treated with medications like Gabapentin or Lyrica.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

So 6 years ago you got implants and now you're having an itching sensation under your nipple areolar complexes. Although it cannot be certain why you're experiencing this symptom, the two events have nothing to do with each other. How can I be so bold or certain? Because we know through historical events that there is no relationship. Silicone compounds were discovered in the late 19th century in England, and expanded by scientists in the US in the early 20th century, creating an seemingly unending assortment of compounds with different physical properties that were used to make products that helped modernize the military, industrial, food, and medical fields. Early testing revealed that silicone compounds had a unique property: they were 'bio-inert'. This means contrary to understandable widespread belief, due to events in the last three decades, they DON'T react biologically and are stable inside animals and humans. The very first cosmetic use of silicone elastomers, the stuff used later to make shells of saline and silicone gel filled breast implant shells, were testicular implants for men who lost them due to surgery or trauma. This began in the 1940's, and since then millions of men around the world have been implanted with them. What you've never heard about is any issues with these devices. Nor have you heard about issues with silicone elastomer facial implants, found in millions of people as well, which were designed and approved by the FDA in the 1990's, the same time the moratorium was placed on silicone gel breast implants by the FDA. The actions that occurred then have a direct and traceable line to the unscientific concerns by lay people about systemic symptoms from breast implants today. Ongoing prospective trials have produced data that show that there are no differences between women with implants and those without with regards to tissue and blood levels of heavy metals, bacteria, silicone, endotoxins, or immune related compounds known as interleukins. The 1990's was a boom time for personal injury lawyers, and the 2020's are a boom time for entrepreneurs making detox products and unscrupulous plastic surgeons preying on women who don't feel well and think it's because of their breast implants. All I can tell you is don't fall for it.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

You may be having weird sensations from the nerves in the area. I would try taking an Uber the counter antihistamine like Allegra. It should ease the itching and in time hopefully it just goes away on its own

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You may have developed more capsule around your implants. Find a plastic surgeon and be checked to see if you have a capsule..

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Itching can be related to anything from a topic allergic response to nerve irritation.  If it persists you can visit with your primary care physician for treatment.

Heather Vande Ven, DO · Answer

Itching in the breast area can have various causes, including skin irritation, allergies, or healing processes. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any potential issues related to your saline implants or other factors.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Anytime, someone has an incision under skin small nerves are cut that will eventually heal. This healing process can create unusual sensations in some people often described as pins and needles or itching.
The best thing you can do is ignore it and accept it as being normal. The worst thing you can do is obsess on it and scratch your skin.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Why does the inside of my breast feel itchy? I got saline implants in 2017

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