Regarding body parts that can scare you out of nowhere, breasts are pretty far up on the list. To make things worse, every internet search somehow always results in something related to cancer.
When a red spot on breast looks like hickey, many reasons might have caused it. This spot often looks like a bruise (hence the reference to a hickey).
We’ll take a look at the possible reasons behind this issue and discuss some of the remedies. First, of course, going to a dermatologist is always the right course of action, and don’t use this as the primary method of diagnosis. That said, let’s dive deeper.
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Reasons Behind Red Spot on the Breasts
To be frank with you, there could be many. A bunch of conditions can trigger a red spot on your breast that looks like a hickey. However, don’t fret. There ARE cures of these things. We’ll get to them. However, let’s first learn about the adversities.
Mastitis
When a person has inflammation in their breasts, the chances are that it’s caused by mastitis. This inflammation is accompanied by an infection, making things worse for some. The symptoms often include moderate to severe pain and swelling, which make the symptoms easier to notice even without the red spot.
The affected area might feel tender, which can also result in a fever. This inflammation is more common in breastfeeding women, and clogged milk ducts are primarily the culprits behind it.
Given how painful it can be, it’s wise to get to a doctor as soon as possible, as mastitis can result in septicemia if it goes untreated for too long.
Intertrigo
Compared to the previous issue, intertrigo is much more common and easily treatable for the most part (unless you leave it untreated, in which case bacterial growth isn’t out of the equation). Essentially, it’s a skin rash caused by friction between different folds of your skin, meaning it’s not limited to breasts.
In the case of breasts, the skin beneath and underneath them is usually the problematic area. That’s because those areas typically hold moisture and cause friction. In addition, excessive sweating may be a catalyst behind this rash, which is also why hot and humid areas might worsen the condition.
Common symptoms often include an itchy or burning sensation, which looks reddish and symmetrical (provided that there’s no infection). If it turns into an infection, the problem area may worsen quickly, and the slight itchiness can become painful.
Along with treatments such as ointments suggested by doctors, a change in your clothing so that you don’t sweat too much can also help. Keeping the problem area clean is just as crucial.
Eczema
Eczema is another common condition that can occur in many parts of the body. The spots or marks resulting from it can look similar to a hickey. The problem area feels inflamed or itchy when affected by this condition.
Various elements can result in eczema, so the primary reason may be difficult to identify in some cases. For instance, irritants like perfumes or detergents may cause a reaction that can result in eczema. Additionally, elements like rapid changes in the environment can also cause it.
Eczema doesn’t have a permanent cure, unfortunately. However, keeping it in control is not difficult if you make the necessary changes and avoid the triggers. It’s crucial to contact a dermatologist regardless of how good or bad the situation seems in this case.
Contact Dermatitis
While intertrigo relates to friction or contact between two skin folds, contact dermatitis is caused by outside elements or substances.
This condition can be categorized as a type of eczema, albeit more specific. Along with allergic reactions, a breakage in your skin’s protective layer can also be the reason behind contact dermatitis.
Common symptoms of this condition include the infamous hickey-like red spots on the breasts and itchiness and discomfort.
The skin might also feel dry and scaly with blisters. This is because irritants are much quicker to surface visibly, while allergic reactions might not immediately appear.
The primary reasons behind contact dermatitis significantly vary between individuals, given that it’s an allergic reaction. Elements ranging from plants to paints can cause it.
Yeast Infections
Like mastitis, yeast infections are more common for breastfeeding people, but it’s not limited to them either.
Symptoms of yeast infection include blisters on the breasts or unusual round bumps, with more common ones including itching or burning sensation.
The redness or spots on the skin are also nothing unusual with this condition. Many individuals feel some pain as well.
Worse, yeast infection around your breasts can result in intertrigo, making things more complex.
Hot and humid environments, excessive sweating, and chronic infections can be the reasons behind yeast infections. As mentioned, breastfeeding or pregnant women can also see a higher rate of yeast infections.
Antifungal creams can help with this condition, but you should check with a professional before choosing that path.
Duct Ectasia (AKA Mammary Duct Ectasia)
Duct ectasia is a condition that is caused by the milk ducts in breasts widening up and causing fluid build-up. This build-up can cause a blockage as well.
Symptoms include the usual red spots in areas near the areola. Unlike many of the conditions above, this one is more common in women nearing their menopause.
In some rare cases, individuals may notice lumps forming in their breasts due to duct ectasia. Pain and irritation are also common symptoms.
Although it’s not a walk in the park, the positive side is that this condition is non-cancerous and usually goes away by itself. In some cases, doctors have to perform a small surgery to get rid of the clog, but that’s not the usual scenario.
It’s recommended to check with a doctor as soon as you see the symptoms, however — just to ensure that they’re not caused by something else.
Breast Cellulitis
Cellulitis is where the problems become a bit more serious. It’s a kind of bacterial infection caused by some sort of disruption or cut on the layer of the skin.
Symptoms of cellulitis include redness in the affected area and some pain and swelling in many cases.
Additionally, individuals may experience tenderness of the skin, and there may be blisters and bruising as well. It’s essential to treat this condition as quickly as possible, as it can turn into something serious like sepsis if left untreated.
Treatments often include antibiotics, which you should only take after a doctor has prescribed them. However, some individuals try home remedies to help with the discomfort, which we’ll discuss later.
The Symptoms to Be Alarmed About
As expected, the spot looks like a hickey. But there’s more to it. In many cases, this bruise may go away within a few days, which can be quickened with easy remedies and isn’t anything to worry about.
However, the spot might not go away within that time frame in many cases. It can even worsen — the spot can grow bigger and bigger and change in appearance.
Speaking of which, the appearance can significantly vary as well.
Some people complain about the red spot being rounded in shape, which also manages to last longer. However, for many, the problem area may be painful with noticeable swelling.
The vastness of this issue and its possible reasons make it so baffling for people.
Do Red Spots on Breasts or Hickeys Indicate Breast Cancer?
Now, the conditions that we discussed above are not life-threatening and can be kept at bay. But there may be situations where it might indicate breast cancer (here goes the internet being scary again).
While common knowledge is that you’ll typically feel some sort of lumps in your breasts if you have breast cancer, there can be exceptions. For example, some forms of breast cancer may not show the conventional symptoms.
IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
Like the conditions above, inflammatory breast cancer can also result in red spots on your breasts. The unusual part is that this cancer doesn’t result in lumps, which is usually what people look for to determine whether they have breast cancer.
This cancer is rare; symptoms include swelling and pain in the breasts, and the skin might thicken and change quickly. Itchiness can also be a common signifier.
As this cancer is pretty quick to grow, it’s always ideal for checking with a doctor if the symptoms seem relatable.
Paget’s Disease
This is another form of breast cancer. Even rarer than inflammatory breast cancer. Moreover, older people are more likely to develop this cancer in comparison.
As expected, it also results in red spots on the breast. Additionally, the skin may feel dry, and there may be a color change.
Some individuals feel some form of lumps in their breast with Paget’s disease, while pain and itchiness are common symptoms.
Since the symptoms of this cancer usually occur on one of the breasts, it’s not uncommon to think of it as something like eczema. However, the symptoms move on toward the areola, starting from the nipple (which is usually the most affected part of the breast with this cancer).
These might be two of the other reasons behind the red spots. However, these cases are rather unusual, so don’t jump to that conclusion immediately.
Going to a Doctor for Diagnosis
You may need to wait for a while after the red spots first occur. And that’s understandable; many of the conditions responsible for these spots can go away by themselves. But it’s necessary not to waste time once the symptoms have overstayed their welcome.
If the problem is nothing to worry about, it should usually be gone within five to seven days. However, even in that case, you should visit a doctor if the symptoms are painful or make things very uncomfortable.
Some conditions even result in significant changes in the breast’s shape, and you should have yourself checked without waiting in such cases.
And if the symptoms don’t show any signs of going away even after that period, then it’s essential to seek professional help quickly. Remember that the earlier you can get yourself diagnosed, the higher the chances of healing quickly and painlessly.
Home Remedies You Can Try For Red Spot on Breast Looks Like Hickey
We’ll now discuss some remedies that can help with the conditions. However, it’s vital not to consider these as the end-all and be-all. You must visit a professional to ensure that the symptoms are not caused by anything serious.
Once that part is cleared up, these remedies can help with the pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.
Lemon Juice
As you may know, lemon juice is an acidic ingredient. It can help with inflammation, a common issue with red spots on your breasts.
Furthermore, it has antimicrobial capabilities, killing elements like bacteria and helping your condition. Lemon juice can keep the issue from growing and even shorten the time it takes for your skin to heal.
Cornstarch
As some conditions worsen with excessive sweating or moisture, it helps to keep the affected area dry. Cornstarch can come to help in such cases. It helps the conditions by getting rid of some of the moisture and alleviating the discomfort.
However, you should only use it for rashes. In addition, fungal infections don’t react well to this ingredient, so only apply it once you’re sure it isn’t an infection.
Basil Leaves
Basil leaves are known for their benefits in multiple aspects. For one, they’re filled with antioxidants, which play a role in making the symptoms improve.
It can also help with keeping infections at bay and has a healthy dose of iron, calcium, vitamin A and C.
Tea Tree Oil
Another ingredient that can help with many of the symptoms is tea tree oil. This is used as a remedy for conditions like eczema due to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal qualities. As a result, it can prevent the problem from worsening and help with the swelling and burning sensation.
However, it’s necessary to remember not to apply this oil directly to the problem area.
Depending on which condition you’re dealing with, these elements can help you gain some relief. However, a proper diagnosis is crucial. Don’t use any of these remedies until you’re sure about the problem at hand. Otherwise, it may worsen the condition.
Final Thoughts
A red spot on the breast that looks like a hickey isn’t usually worth worrying about, as most common reasons can be treated easily. However, it’s crucial not to take it lightly unless you have a proper diagnosis or the issues disappear.
As we discussed, many of the symptoms overlap each other, ranging from normal rashes to something serious. Therefore, it’s wise not to take any chances.
