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What is a breast rash?

A rash is an area of skin that has changes in texture, appearance and colour. A breast rash is redness or irritation that occurs on the skin of the breast. The skin can also look inflamed and be itchy, scaly, painful or blistered.

What causes breast rash?

A breast rash can have many different potential causes. Common causes include infections or allergic reactions. In rare instances, it can be a sign of breast cancer, such as Paget’s disease of the nipple or inflammatory breast cancer.

Most skin rashes are caused by medical conditions that can cause rashes elsewhere in the body. However, some rashes only occur on the breast.

Common conditions that can cause rashes all over the body, including the breast, may include:

  • Dermatitis and Eczema – conditions that cause inflammation of the skin.
  • Heat rash – a skin rash that occurs when sweat glands on the skin are blocked.
  • Intertrigo – a rash that usually occurs between the folds of the skin, including the skin under the breast.
  • Hives – itchy, slightly raised areas of the skin with many different causes.
  • Psoriasis – a long-term skin condition that causes red scaly patches on the skin.
  • Infections (such as shingles and scabies)

The rashes due to these common conditions are not specifically associated with the breast and can occur on other parts the body.

Causes of rash that occur only on the breast, may include:

While a rash on your breast is most likely to be caused by an infection or allergic reaction, in rare cases it can also be a symptom of breast cancer, such as inflammatory breast cancer. Unlike other common types of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer does not usually cause lumps in the breast.

Because the symptoms between some medical conditions can be very similar, it is important that you speak with your doctor to ensure an accurate diagnosis if you experience a breast rash.

Some breast cancer treatments may also cause a rash as a side effect. Please talk to your treatment team if you experience a rash during or after cancer treatment.

Symptoms of mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast. It is a benign (noncancerous) condition that can be caused by a blocked milk duct or a bacterial infection. It most commonly occurs during breastfeeding. However, it can also occur in women who are not breastfeeding and in men.

Symptoms of mastitis may appear suddenly, and include:

  • Breast swelling
  • A breast that feels warm and tender to touch
  • Breast pain or burning sensation, continuously or while breast feeding
  • Generally feeling ill
  • Fever

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and often aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. Unlike other common breast cancers, it often does not cause a breast lump. The symptoms of IBC appear when cancer cells block lymph vessels (that are part of the lymphatic system) in the breast.

Symptoms of IBC may include:

  • Swelling of the skin of the breast
  • A breast that looks red, inflamed or develops a rash
  • A breast that becomes swollen or enlarged compared to the other breast
  • Dimpling, pitting or thickening of the skin on the breast, so that it looks and feels like an orange peel
  • An inverted nipple (nipple that points inwards)

Many of these symptoms are similar to a breast infection or inflammation (such as mastitis). Because these conditions occur more frequently than IBC, your doctor may initially prescribe antibiotics if they suspect that you have an infection. However, if your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may consider other more serious causes, such as IBC, and more tests may be recommended to evaluate your symptoms.

Symptoms of Paget’s disease of the nipple

Paget’s disease of the nipple (also known Paget’s disease of the breast) is a rare form of breast cancer. It can occur in both women and men, but most cases occur in women. Most people who are diagnosed with Paget’s disease of the nipple have tumours in the same breast that are either ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer.

The symptoms of Paget’s disease of the nipple can be mistaken for some other noncancerous skin conditions, such as dermatitis or eczema. The main symptom of Paget’s disease of the nipple is a change in the nipple and/or the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple).

Symptoms of Paget’s disease of the nipple may include:

  • Flaky, scaly or crusty skin on or around the nipple.
  • Itching or redness in the nipple and/or areola
  • A flat or inverted nipple (nipple pointing inwards)
  • Discharge or bleeding from the nipple
  • There may be a lump in the same breast

When to see a doctor

It is difficult to self-diagnose the cause of a breast rash. Although most rashes (including breast rashes) are not life-threatening, some rashes can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as breast cancer, that needs to be examined and treated as soon as possible.

Please make an appointment to speak with your doctor if you have any  breast symptoms that concern you, or you notice any new or unusual changes on your breast. Most breast changes are not due to cancer. However, it is important to see a doctor without delay so that symptoms can be checked by a healthcare professional. Early detection gives the best possible chance of survival if you are diagnosed with breast cancer.

See a doctor immediately if you have:

  • A sudden rash that spreads quickly or the rash is all over your body.
  • A rash accompanied by other symptoms. Examples include fever, stiff neck, severe pain, signs of infection (such as yellow or green fluid oozing from the rash), signs of breast cancer, or a rash that begins to blister.
  • Signs and symptoms that worsen.

Treatment for breast rashes


Common skin rashes

Treatments recommended depend on the specific medical condition, and its severity and responsiveness to previous treatment. For skin diseases, treatment may involve prescribed topical creams and ointments, oral medications and/or other therapies. Treatment for rashes causes by viruses (such as shingles) may involve anti-viral medications.

 

Mastitis

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat mastitis. However, if your symptoms do not improve after taking antibiotics, please follow up with your doctor. Your doctor may also recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as ibuprofen or paracetamol) if needed.

 

Inflammatory breast cancer

Most people diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer will have a combination of different therapies. Treatment options include chemotherapy, breast surgery, radiotherapy, targeted therapies and hormonal therapies. The order in which the treatments are given may vary, and the treatment plan may be adjusted depending on how the cancer responds.

 

Paget’s disease of the nipple

The treatments recommended for Paget’s disease of the nipple will depend on how much of the nipple, areola or breast is involved. Surgery is one of the main treatment options for this disease. Radiotherapy may also be recommended. If invasive breast cancer is found, further treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and/or hormonal therapy may be needed. Treatment options vary depending on individual circumstances.

Words: Francesca Brook
Reviewed by NBCF Research team.

A breast rash can have many different potential causes. Common causes include infections such as shingles or allergic reactions such as hives. In very rare instances, it can be a sign of breast cancer as in the case of inflammatory breast cancer. See above for more information on this.

Symptoms of an inflammatory breast cancer rash such as redness or swelling may come and go at the start. However, these symptoms will worsen over time if the cancer spreads. If you notice symptoms such as pain, swelling or redness that are persistent, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Once the cause of the rash has been established, it can be treated as soon as possible, however, the length of time it takes for the rash to fade will vary depending on a range of factors, such as its cause and severity.

A breast rash may cause the breasts to feel itchy, but most rashes are not life-threatening. Some rashes can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as breast cancer, so if you are concerned it is important to see a doctor without delay so that your symptoms can be checked.