What Are Breast and Nipple-Areolar Skin Changes or Lumps?

Changes affecting the skin of the breast or nipple-areolar complex may arise from a variety of conditions, ranging from benign skin disorders to breast cancer.

Most skin changes are harmless but persistent symptoms should be assessed.

How Do These Changes Develop?

Breast skin and nipple changes may develop due to:

• Skin irritation
• Infection
• Eczema
• Benign skin lumps
• Inflammatory conditions
• Breast cancer involving the skin or nipple

Signs and Symptoms

Patients may notice:

• Skin redness
• Rash
• Itching
• Skin thickening
• Dimpling
• Nipple inversion
• Scaly or crusted nipple skin
• A lump within the skin or beneath the nipple
• Persistent ulceration

Causes and Risk Factors

Common causes include:

• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Sebaceous cysts
• Skin tags
• Skin infections

Less commonly:

• Paget’s disease of the nipple
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Underlying breast cancer

Managing Breast and Nipple Skin Changes

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Topical medications
• Antibiotics
• Abscess drainage
• Biopsy of suspicious lesions
• Surgical treatment if required

Prevention

Some skin conditions may be reduced by:

• Avoiding skin irritation
• Maintaining good skin hygiene
• Managing eczema appropriately

When to see a Doctor

You should seek medical attention if you develop:

• Persistent nipple rash
• New nipple inversion
• Skin dimpling or tethering
• Persistent redness or thickening
• Ulceration
• A breast lump associated with skin changes