A rash on the breast does not necessarily signal breast cancer. Many breast rashes are from skin disorders that cause irritation on any part of the body, and others result from a condition that affects only the breast. However, a breast rash can also be an early symptom of breast cancer or develop as a result of treatment.

If you have a rash on your breast it may not be cancer, but it’s important to see a doctor to be sure it’s not an early sign of breast cancer. “I had a crazy rash before I found out I had cancer,” oneMyBCTeam member wrote. Another member said, “I recall a red, itchy rash for months under my breast where cancer was found.”

What Is a Breast Rash?

A breast rash is an area of itchy or irritated skin on the breast that may also show changes in appearance, texture, or color. On lighter skin, the rash may look pink or red, while on darker skin, it may appear white, gray, or purple. The affected skin could feel inflamed, scaly, painful, or develop blisters.

Inflammatory breast cancer and Paget’s disease are two forms of breast cancer that commonly cause rash as a symptom.

Most breast rashes are caused by minor skin conditions and can often be treated at home. However, in some cases, a breast rash may indicate a more serious issue. If your rash doesn’t improve or comes with other symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor for a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What Causes Breast Rash?

A breast rash can result from various causes, including breast disease, infection, injury, or irritation. It may also be linked to allergies, such as hives, or viral infections like shingles. Additionally, skin conditions that can affect other parts of the body, such as eczema or psoriasis, might cause a rash on the breast.

Certain forms of breast cancer include breast rash among their symptoms. These rashes are often associated with less common or more aggressive forms of breast cancer, like inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Breast cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or certain medications, can also lead to rashes as side effects.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive, fast-growing type of breast cancer and a rash can be an early symptom. IBC is rare, accounting for 1 percent to 5 percent of all breast cancers. With this disease, breast cancer cells enter and block lymph vessels.

Show Sensitive Content

Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer can develop quickly, including:

• Thickened skin
• Rash or skin irritation
• Changes in skin color (red, pink, or purplish) and breast swelling
• Heaviness in the affected breast
• Dimpling or pitted skin that looks like orange peel (caused by fluid buildup)
• Enlarged lymph nodes near the collarbone or under the arm

The early symptoms of IBC, such as an inflammatory breast cancer rash, are easily mistaken for those of other breast conditions, which can contribute to delayed diagnosis and even later treatment. Unlike many types of breast cancer, IBC often doesn’t cause a breast lump and will not be apparent on a mammogram. When diagnosed, around one-third of women with IBC have metastatic breast cancer, according to Susan G. Komen. This means cancer has metastasized (spread) to another part of the body.

Paget’s Disease

A rare form of breast cancer, Paget’s disease of the breast makes up between 1 percent and 4 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses. Paget’s disease primarily affects the skin of the nipple and sometimes the surrounding areola. Usually, this type of breast cancer is associated with at least one underlying tumor, such as ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer.

Show Sensitive Content

Early symptoms of Paget’s can look similar to other skin conditions, like eczema, which can make it harder to diagnose. Signs of Paget’s disease include:

• Itching, tingling, or discoloration of the nipple or areola
• Crusty, flaky, or thickened skin that may resemble eczema
• A flattened or inverted nipple (pulled inward)
• Bloody or yellowish discharge from nipple

Paget’s disease can result in crusty or flaky skin that resembles eczema. The nipple may become flattened or inverted.

Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

Sometimes a breast cancer treatment, not the cancer itself, leads to a rash. Any medication can potentially cause a rash as a side effect. Breast cancer treatments that may cause a rash include:

• Chemotherapy drugs (e.g., daunorubicin, methotrexate) — These medicines kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, but they can also affect healthy cells, leading to skin reactions.
• Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) — High-energy rays used to kill cancer cells can irritate the skin, sometimes causing redness, itching, or rawness.
• Hormone therapy drugs — Medications that block cancer cells from using hormones like estrogen and progesterone may trigger rashes in some individuals.
• Targeted therapies — These treatments attack specific cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, but skin side effects, like rashes, can still occur.
• Immunotherapy drugs, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) — These boost the immune system to help fight cancer cells but can sometimes overstimulate the immune system, causing skin reactions.

“Having discomfort from the radiation. Bad rash, itching, and a bit raw,” a MyBCTeam member shared. Another said, “Only complaint is this rash that my oncologist says is from the chemo. ☹️”

Breast cancer treatments such as chemo, radiation, hormone therapy, and some targeted drugs and immunotherapies can all cause breast rash as a side effect.

Some medications that are used for relieving pain can also potentially cause a rash in some people.

Noncancerous Breast Conditions

Show Sensitive Content

Sometimes a breast infection or other noncancerous condition can produce a rash. A breast rash could result from:

• Mastitis — Inflammation of the breast that usually occurs with breastfeeding and is caused by a blocked milk duct or infection
• Breast abscess — Buildup of pus caused by a breast infection due to mastitis
• Mammary duct ectasia — A condition that arises when a milk duct widens and sometimes become infected
• Common types of skin conditions — May include eczema, heat rash, hives, psoriasis, shingles, or scabies, among other skin problems such as insect bites

Treatments for Breast Rash

Once its cause is determined, your breast rash can be treated. This could involve both medical approaches to address the cancer or at-home measures to relieve discomfort.

Medical Interventions for Breast Cancer Rash

A rash that is due to a type of breast cancer or side effects of treatment may call for medicated creams or ointments, such as corticosteroids or antibiotics. If your breast rash is a symptom of the cancer itself, treating the cancer may help alleviate your rash. Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer or Paget’s disease may include some combination of the following:

• Chemotherapy to shrink the cancer
• Surgery, such as mastectomy, to remove nearby lymph nodes, cancerous breast tissue, and tissue from surrounding areas, or lumpectomy in the case of Paget’s disease
• Hormone therapy
• Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells remaining in the armpit and breast area after surgery

At-Home Remedies for Breast Cancer Rash

Many methods to help relieve the discomfort of breast cancer rashes don’t require a prescription or medical intervention. Following are some at-home strategies:

• Take shorter showers or baths in lukewarm water (instead of hot). Pat dry gently afterward instead of rubbing vigorously.
• Hydrate your skin with unscented, thicker moisturizing creams or lotions to ward off dryness and itchiness. It’s best to apply while your skin is still a little damp.
• Protect your skin and keep the affected area clean, dry, and (if necessary) properly dressed. Use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure.
• Use mild, unscented, alcohol-free soaps and lotions, which are less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

“A few days ago I developed a heat rash between and under both breasts. Little blisters and some are open. Nasty. The radiation oncologist gave me a prescription cream to use twice a day,” a MyBCTeam member shared.

Avoid applying heating pads, ice packs, or bandages to a rash that is the result of radiotherapy. If you are undergoing radiation therapy, ask your healthcare provider which products you shouldn’t use on affected skin. These may include:

• Talcum powder
• Antiperspirant
• Anything with adhesive

When To See Your Doctor About Breast Rash

Diagnosing a breast rash on your own can be difficult and even dangerous, particularly if your rash is an early symptom of breast cancer. It’s important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Your doctor may want to refer you to an oncology specialist for a biopsy or imaging tests to determine if your rash is a sign of inflammatory breast cancer or Paget’s disease. Treating a serious condition such as breast cancer as soon as possible is key to ensuring the most treatment options, experiencing good treatment outcomes, and achieving remission.

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a breast rash that:

• Is accompanied by symptoms such as blisters, infection, fever, oozing fluid, a lump in your breast or armpit, or swelling of the throat
• Occurs with breast pain
• Doesn’t improve after a reasonable period of treatment

In addition, see your healthcare provider for any rash that comes on suddenly and spreads quickly or covers much of your body.

Above all, trust your gut. If you have any concerns about any unusual symptoms or skin changes on your breast, schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause of your breast rash.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyBCTeam is the social network for people living with breast cancer and their loved ones. On MyBCTeam, more than 76,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Have you had a rash along with breast cancer or its treatment? Do you have any advice for managing a breast cancer rash? Comment below, join MyBCTeam to add to or start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded people in Groups.