Breasts will often appear swollen and red, with symptoms progressing rapidly over weeks or months.
IBC can cause a rapid increase in size, and breasts may feel heavy, burning, or tender.
There often isnt a lump, making IBC challenging to diagnose.
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Infections, allergies, and shingles may also cause a breast rash.
A healthcare professional should examine any unexplained rashes on the breast to properly diagnose and treat the cause.
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What Does a Breast Cancer Rash Look Like?
Rashesare not a common symptom of cancer.
Infection
Infections can be caused byintertrigo, an inflammatory rash occurring along skin folds like the breast.
Moisture, friction, and lack of ventilation can cause inflammation.
Friction can cause the skin to break down and become susceptible to fungal or bacterial infections.
It commonly affects breastfeeding women when a milk duct becomes blocked.
It can also affect women who arent breastfeeding as well as men.
Exposure to an allergen can causehivesthat may affect the chest and breasts.
Symptoms include raised, red bumps or welts and itchy skin.
The virus remains inactive in the body and canreactivatelater in life.
Shingles cause a rash that may affect the chest and breast area.
Awareness of how your breasts look and feel can help you catch any symptoms or changes.
If you notice any changes during abreast self-exam, notify your healthcare provider.
A healthcare provider may run tests todiagnoseor rule out breast cancer, including a physical and breast exam.
What Is a Breast Exam?
A breast exam includes checking for lumps and abnormalities in the breast and armpits.
Paget’s breast disease is another rare cancer-related condition that can cause a rash.
A Word From Verywell
The sudden onset of a breast rash can be alarming.
Self-examination and noticing breast changes can play a critical role in the timely detection of breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Inflammatory breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Paget disease of the breast.
Kalra MG, Higgins KE, Kinney BS.Intertrigo and secondary skin infections.aafp.
2014;89(7):569-573.
National Library of Medicine.Mastitis.
Mount Sinai Health System.Hives.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles (herpes zoster).
Published online April 30, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5534
