Rashes Under Breast: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Rashes under the breast appear as red areas causing irritation and itching breasts. Sometimes, the rashes can even be scaly or blistered and painful. Changes in the skin under the breast that show redness, inflammation, or eruptions, are signs of a rash.¹

Rash under breast is also called intertrigo. While there are many causes of rash under breast, knowing can help you take the right action and treatment to avoid further problems.

Determining the cause of rash under breast is important to understand whether it is a skin condition causing the rash or it is a sign of any underlying serious illness. Some of the common causes of rashes under breast mainly include :

Heat Rash – This is a common cause of breast rash and occurs due to excessive sweating, which stays under the skin, causing inflammation and redness. This happens during hot and humid climates or with wearing tight clothing for long hours.

Allergies – Allergic reactions to certain foods, plants, cosmetics, medications, and irritation from a certain type of clothing can result in hives, redness, itching, and skin irritation. Insect bites, poison ivy, or certain irritants too can cause rashes under breast.

Skin Conditions – Skin conditions that cause rashes, inflammation, or skin lesions can cause rashes under breast. Dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, scabies, and such skin conditions affect various parts of the body including the breast area.

Infections – Infections affecting the skin like cellulitis or fungal infections such as ringworm, and candidiasis are a common causes of rashes under breast. Viral infections like measles, chicken pox, and herpes affect the entire body but can also cause rashes under breast.

Breast Diseases – Certain diseases of the breast such as breast abscess, mastitis, and mammary duct issues can cause rashes under breast along with other symptoms like swelling, pain, and fever.

Cancer – Certain rare types of cancer like Paget’s disease or inflammatory breast cancer can show rashes under breast or pimple-like rash. Other signs include discoloration of skin, flat or inverted nipple, and fluid oozing out of the nipple.

Rashes under breast often present as reddish rash in the areas under the breasts. The rash can be itchy, look rough, scaly, or weeping. The skin is inflamed and can look cracked or irritated. Pain may be present in some while some may also have burning with itching. Sometimes, soreness, blisters, or swelling may also be present.

The area under the breast is a skin fold, which is more exposed to sweating. When the sweat pores get blocked the sweat begins to get accumulated. This can give rise to fungal, bacterial, or yeast infections, in addition to the existing condition. However, if there is no improvement in the symptoms, it is necessary to seek medical advice.

It is equally important to know the warning signs that may sometimes present along with rashes under breast. If you note the rash is accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, severe infection, swelling of the throat, hands, feet, presence of lump under the skin, the area is very sensitive or painful, fluid oozing from the rash or the breast, report it to your physician.²

Some causes like heat rash are not serious and often subside with home remedies but other causes often need appropriate treatment. Diagnosis of rashes under breast is based on clinical examination and after taking the history of the patient. The doctor will clinically evaluate the skin rash, examine the lesions and make note of the associated signs and symptoms.

With the history and clinical examination, the doctor may be able to diagnose the condition. For a closer examination of the rash, the doctor may use dermoscopy. However, in some cases, if the cause of the rash is not clear or if the associated symptoms raise suspicion of other serious conditions, a skin biopsy or other relevant scans may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.

Rashes under breast are often due to common causes like heat rash, allergies, or skin infections. Although they cause more discomfort, in most cases, with the right diagnosis and appropriate treatment they heal within one or two weeks.

• It is often advised to avoid wearing tight clothes or inners, to avoid personal hygiene products that cause irritation or allergies, it is better to avoid cosmetics, perfumes, or lotions with strong fragrances and chemicals. Avoid scratching the rash.
• Treatment of rashes under breast varies based on the cause of the rash.
• For heat rashes, the area if left open or with free movement of air, loose clothing for better healing. Cold compresses or applying moisturizer may be advised to reduce burning and itching.
• Common rashes are treated with a topical ointment or oral medications.
• Antiallergic medication may be given to treat allergies and reduce itching of the skin. Skin infections are treated with necessary medicines.
• Antifungal medicines are used to treat fungal infections of the skin.
• Autoimmune or chronic skin disorders may be treated with appropriate medicines, depending on the situation.
• Viral infections may need anti-viral medication, while pain relievers to reduce pain, rest, and
• A healthy diet help in faster recovery.
• Some conditions like mastitis or bacterial infections may require antibiotics, also warm compresses may be advised for some.
• In certain serious cases that do not recover over time or the underlying cause is a rare type of cancer, surgery may be considered.

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