On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 33 I January/February 2020 | Page 6

breast rashes
Deciphering
With Dr Mary Ling, Central Coast Breast and General Surgeon
T
he causes of a breast rash range
from the harmless and annoying
to the seriously sinister. Here’s
how to decipher them.  
1
Intertrigo
Intertrigo is a fancy name for a rash
under your breasts. It is caused by a
combination of moisture, heat, lack of air
circulation and friction between skin
folds, and often accompanied by a fungal
or bacterial infection. Common symptoms
include a reddish-brown rash, raw, itchy
or oozing skin and unpleasant odour.
Self-care tips to prevent intertrigo
include: 
ƒ Wash under your breasts morning
and night with a gentle soap or soap
substitute.
ƒ Dry the skin under your breasts
thoroughly – try using hairdryer on a
cool setting. 
ƒ Wear a supportive bra made from
natural material such as
cotton.
ƒ Lose weight to limit skin
against skin rubbing.
2
Breast Infection 
Mastitis is inflammation
of the breast that occurs most
often in breastfeeding mums, but
can also occur in older women.
Untreated mastitis can result in a
breast abscess, which is a walled-
off area of pus and bacteria in
the breast. Common symptoms
include pain, swelling, redness,
warmth and fevers.
3
Other Rashes 
The skin on the breast is
prone to many common
non-cancerous rashes,
including:
ƒ Allergic reactions
ƒ Skin conditions
such as eczema,
dermatitis or
psoriasis
ƒ Shingles, which
causes a painful rash
that appears as a
stripe of blisters.
4
Breast Cancer 
Inflammatory breast
cancer (IBC) is a rare and
aggressive form of breast
cancer more common in
younger women. Unlike other
breast cancers that form a lump,
IBC spreads along and blocks the
lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast
causing the breast to become red, swollen
and tender (similar to an infection). The
skin on the breast can also
appear dimpled, like an orange
peel.
Paget’s disease of the nipple
is another rare form of breast
cancer that affects the nipple-
areolar complex. Most people
with Paget's disease also have a
breast cancer somewhere else
in the same breast, either an
invasive cancer or pre-invasive
cancer known as ductal
carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The
main sign of Paget's disease is
a change in the nipple and/or
Make an appointment with your doctor if your breast
areola.
rash is persistent or accompanied by any of these signs.
Dr Mary Ling is a Breast and General Surgeon who consults at
Gosford, Woy Woy and Kanwal.
& 02 4321 0302
www.drmaryling.com.au
@drmaryling
Sign up to Coastal Health News, a quarterly newsletter
inspiring Coasties to make healthy normal. Use the camera
on your phone to scan the QR code.
6
O N T H E C OA S T – OVER 5 5