It's fine to give your arm or back a quick scratch when you're out and about. But an itchy nipple? Not so much. Thing is, the area can be surprisingly prone to irritation. So if you're dealing with itching or dryness that won't ease up, you'll want to find a way to solve the problem stat.

"It's not uncommon for nipples to be a site of skin inflammation," says Beth Goldstein, MD, a Durham, North Carolina-based dermatologist and Modern Ritual founder. "The skin is thin and susceptible to dryness, low humidity and irritating fabrics. Stress in any form can trigger itching."

Plus, like any part of your body, nipples can itch for a variety of reasons. Here's a look at some of the most typical triggers for itchy nipples and what you can do to find relief:

Parched skin can be itchy, tight, scaly or flaky in general. And since nipple skin is so thin, it can be particularly prone to dryness, Dr. Goldstein says.

Sometimes dry skin can be related to an underlying condition like eczema (more on that later), but other times, it's just a matter of an arid environment. Cold, windy conditions can dry out your skin, as can central heating and space heaters, since they zap humidity from the air, according to the Mayo Clinic. Being overzealous with bathing is another culprit, since hot water can strip skin of its natural hydrating oils.

​Fix it:​ Try common remedies for dry skin, such as avoiding long, hot showers, running a humidifier and using lotion.

Rubbing up against rough fabrics, especially when you're active, can cause nipple skin to become chafed and irritated, Dr. Goldstein notes. For some people, that soreness might translate to itching.

​Fix it: ​Look for bras or tops made of soft, smooth fabric like 100 percent cotton, or if you're active, choose bras or tops designed for your specific sport, recommend the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You can also apply petroleum jelly or baby powder to chafed nipples while they heal — both act as a barrier to minimize irritation.

Recently started using a new laundry detergent, soap, lotion or even began wearing a different kind of fabric? If the skin around your nipples is red, itchy, swollen, flaky or burning, you might be dealing with a case of contact dermatitis, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These allergic reactions can occur when skin comes in contact with an irritant.

​Fix it: ​While these allergic reactions can be uncomfortable, they'll will typically clear up within a week or two as long as you steer clear of whatever caused the rash. If you've tried a new body product or detergent, see if the itchiness abates when you stop using it.

About 20 percent of itchy, rash-prone nipples are caused by underlying eczema, Dr. Goldstein notes. If you're experiencing an eczema flare, your nipples might be dry or inflamed, feel itchy or painful or have discharge. It's also common to develop a patchy or crusty rash or small bumps that ooze fluid, notes the Cleveland Clinic.

​Fix it: ​While eczema is an incurable condition, there are some strategies that can help alleviate itchy nipples. These including moisturizing, taking corticosteroids (either topically or orally), avoiding triggers and phototherapy (aka light therapy), per the Cleveland Clinic.

It's not uncommon for a new nipple piercing to itch while your skin heals, Dr. Goldstein says.

But if the problem doesn't seem to be easing up or you notice the itching starts after trying a new piece of jewelry, you're probably dealing with an allergic reaction to the jewelry metal, she notes. Nickel is notorious for making skin red and itchy, but chromium, copper and cobalt can also cause problems.

​Fix it: ​Some itching is normal during the healing process, according to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). That is, you may just need to wait it out. If you're allergic to the jewelry's material, you may need to remove the nipple ring. Reach out to a professional to swap out jewelry, per the APP. If you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives or swelling, or have a fever, swelling or other signs of an infection, you should get in touch with your doctor, according to Peace Health.

Shifting hormones and stretching skin during pregnancy can make you more prone to itchy, sensitive skin. And your nipples are no exception, says Ohio-based ob-gyn and Medzino medical advisor Kimberly Langdon, MD. While mild itchiness during pregnancy isn't usually cause for concern, pay attention if your itching becomes intense, especially when you're trying to sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. These could be signs of a cholestasis of pregnancy, a serious complication that requires medical attention.

​Fix it: ​Try avoiding soap on your nipples, which can dry them out, according to Sutter Health. Using unscented lotion and avoid lengthy exposure to hot water can also help alleviate itchiness, per Sutter Health.

Itchy nipples might stick around after pregnancy if you're nursing. "Breastfeeding can make nipples itch as milk dries on them," Dr. Langdon says. Dry, cracked nipple skin — which is common in the early days of breastfeeding — can contribute to itching too.

​Fix it:​ If the skin on your nipples is flaking and scaly as well as itchy, it could be a sign of an infection, per Mount Sinai. Your doctor can recommend treatment options. If you don't have these symptoms, try avoiding soaps and placing breast milk on your nipples after nursing to care for your nipples while breastfeeding, per Mount Sinai. When nipples are cracked, you can rub lanolin on them after feeding, according to Mount Sinai.

If you're breastfeeding, itchy or cracked nipples accompanied by a feeling of deep, stabbing pain in your breast could be the sign of a nipple yeast infection. Cracked or broken skin around the nipples can make them more prone to becoming infected, as can warm, moist environments (like a milk-dampened bra), the Cleveland Clinic notes. If your baby has an oral yeast infection, called thrush, the fungus from their mouth can also get passed on to your nipples.

​Fix it: ​Try applying a topical antifungal medication to your nipples, per the Cleveland Clinic. If your baby has oral thrush, they'll need to be treated as well, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Your health care provider can recommend an appropriate treatment.

Menopause can make your nipples itchy too, Dr. Langdon says. As your body's levels of the hormone estrogen drop, skin becomes drier and thinner. That can make it more prone to itching and irritation.

​Fix it: ​The at-home remedies noted for dry skin — such as moisturizing and avoiding harsh soaps — may help ease this itchiness.

Itchy nipples aren't usually a sign of a major health problem. But it's possible that an itchy or scaly breast rash could be a sign of certain breast cancers including inflammatory breast cancer or Paget's disease, Dr. Goldstein notes. These cancers are rare, but if your nipple or breast symptoms aren't going away, it's important to have them checked out.

You can often manage itchy, irritated nipples just like other types of dry skin. Depending on what's causing your discomfort, these soothing strategies may help.

There's a good chance your itchy nipples will ease up with at-home measures. But if those changes aren't doing the trick, let your doctor or dermatologist know. Reach out to your doctor, too, if nipple itching is associated with signs of a possible infection, like a rash, oozing, crusting or fever.

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.