Breast rash

Definition

Breast rash is a change in the color or texture of the skin on the breast. It can be due to irritation or disease. A breast rash can be itchy, scaly, painful or blistered.

Causes

Some rashes occur only on the breast. But most breast rashes have the same possible causes as rashes on other parts of the body.

Causes of a rash that occurs only on the breast include:

• Breast abscess
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Mammary duct ectasia
• Mastitis (an infection in breast tissue)
• Nipple dermatitis
• Paget's disease of the breast

Causes of a rash on the breast that can also occur on any part of the body include:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Candidiasis (especially under the breasts)
• Cellulitis (a skin infection)
• Dermatitis
• Hives and angioedema
• Psoriasis
• Scabies
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Shingles

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment

A breast rash is rarely an emergency. But make an appointment with a healthcare professional if your breast rash doesn't respond to self-care or if you also have:

• Fever.
• Severe pain.
• Sores that won't heal.
• Streaks coming from the rash.
• Yellow or green fluid oozing from the rash.
• Skin that's peeling off.
• A history of breast cancer.

Seek emergency medical care if your rash comes with:

• Difficulty breathing, chest tightness or swelling in the throat.
• A rapid worsening of symptoms.

Self-care for breast rash

In the meantime, you may find some relief from your symptoms with these measures:

• Take a cool bath or put a cool washcloth over the rash for a few minutes. Do this a few times a day if it helps ease your symptoms.
• Use a gentle soap in the shower to clean the area. After you shower, apply a gentle moisturizing cream free of fragrances. Do this while your skin is still damp. Don't use fragranced products such as body washes, soaps and creams on the rash.
• Take care of your skin. Don't scratch the rash.
• Think about recent behaviors that may have caused your rash. Have you tried a new soap? Have you been wearing scratchy clothing? Stop using any new products that may have caused your rash.