The term breast eczema refers to benign dermatitis seen in the skin of the breast. It can affect the nipples, areolae, and surrounding areas.
| Breast eczema | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Nipple eczema, nipple dermatitis, breast dermatitis |
 | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Eczema of the nipples is the moist type, with oozing and crusting. Painful fissuring is frequently seen, especially in nursing mothers.[1]: 78 It will often occur in pregnancy, even without breastfeeding.
Persistent eczema of the nipple, especially in the middle-aged and elderly, should be discussed with a doctor, as a rare type of breast cancer called Paget's disease can cause similar symptoms.[2]
Treatment
editAs with other types of eczema, treatment of breast eczema is generally focused on alleviating the symptoms.
A doctor may prescribe topical steroids – specifically glucocorticoids such as mometasone or methylprednisolone aceponate – to be applied to the affected area.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ James WD, Berger T, Elston D (2006). Andrews' diseases of the skin : clinical dermatology (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
- ^ "Paget's disease of the nipple". nhs.uk. 2017-10-23. Archived from the original on 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ "Nipple Dermatitis or Eczema". Sydney Breast Clinic. 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
External links
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