Breast Eczema: A Common Cause for Itchy Breasts

Having a rash on the breasts can be scary and uncomfortable. But many times, itchy breasts are due to eczema.

Breast eczema is a common type of eczema (atopic dermatitis) that leads to dry, itchy skin on the breast. And it can happen to anyone — whether you have lots of breast tissue or not. 

Fortunately, once you have the right diagnosis, breast eczema is easily treated. This article will help explain breast eczema and how you can treat it.

What causes breast eczema?

Just like eczema found on other parts of your body, it’s not clear what causes breast eczema. But it’s likely due to different factors, like:

• An overactive immune response

• A genetic predisposition

• Exposure to environmental triggers

Eczema is also linked to a breakdown in the skin barrier. You can think of the skin as a protective layer that keeps good things in and bad things out. The skin protects us from bacteria and other infections while maintaining moisture within it.

When the skin barrier is broken, as in eczema, it doesn’t function well. This allows bacteria and irritants to get inside the skin and moisture to come out. This leads to the dry, itchy, infection-prone skin in eczema.

People who have asthma and allergies also tend to have skin conditions like eczema. It’s common to see these conditions run in families.

How is breast eczema diagnosed?

Breast eczema can usually be diagnosed after a careful history and physical exam by a healthcare professional. In some cases, they may recommend doing a skin biopsy. During a skin biopsy, a small amount of skin is removed for examination under a microscope. This can help distinguish breast eczema from other types of rashes. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Is it eczema or psoriasis? See pictures and learn how to tell the difference between these two common skin conditions.

• Itchy skin can happen anywhere on the body. From dry skin to allergies and even liver disease, learn the most common causes of itchy skin and what to do about it.

• How do you treat mild-to-severe eczema? Read what experts say about treatments ranging from prescription creams to biologics.

What triggers breast eczema?

Breast eczema can have the same triggers as eczema elsewhere on your skin. But everyone’s triggers are different. The key is learning what triggers an eczema flare for you and trying to avoid them.

Some common triggers for breast eczema include:

• Excessive skin rubbing: This can be caused by directly scrubbing or scratching your skin or wearing irritating bras and rough fabrics.

• Prolonged skin moisture: Sweaty workout tops or wet bathing suits can irritate the skin of the breast and trigger an eczema flare.

• Chemical irritants: Using fragranced lotions or body sprays on the breasts can lead to eczema rashes.

• Dry skin: Showering often with hot water and not moisturizing the skin of the breasts and nipple can lead to a flare-up.

• Environmental allergies: Often, people with eczema also have environmental allergies to things like dust and grass.

• Food allergies: Rarely, severe food allergies (like wheat or dairy) can trigger eczema. In some cases, avoiding food triggers can improve skin health. But a strict diet isn’t recommended to treat eczema for most people.

• Psychological stress: Eczema can flare during periods of stress. Physical stress from illness can trigger eczema, but so can a stressful situation at work or home. 

• Hormone changes: Estrogen helps maintain the health of our skin barrier. Drops in estrogen levels can make skin drier and more prone to flares of eczema. 

What are the symptoms of breast eczema?

Breast eczema looks similar to eczema on other parts of the body. It’s common to see:

• Red and flaky skin around the breast

• Rough and sensitive skin on the nipple

• Very itchy breasts or nipples

• Broken skin on the breast or nipples

• Skin color changes (light or dark spots)

• Thickening of the skin of the breast

Breast eczema itself isn’t serious, but it can be chronic. There’s no cure for eczema. You can manage breast eczema by avoiding triggers and using prescription treatments for flare-ups.

If you notice symptoms of a rash on your breast, let your primary care provider take a look. That’s because a rash on the breast can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition.

How do you treat breast eczema?

Treating breast eczema is much like treating eczema on other parts of the body. Treatment may consist of at-home remedies or medical treatments if your eczema is severe.

At-home remedies

Here are some treatments you can try at home to lessen your breast eczema flares:

• Cut down on stress and engage in relaxing activities, like yoga and meditation.

• Moisturize the skin with thick emollients, like Vaseline or creams.

• Avoid excessive washing and scrubbing of the breasts.

• Choose soft fabrics and avoid rough and irritating fabrics, like wool.

• Use fragrance-free soaps and body lotions.

• Avoid prolonged moisture or wet clothing.

• Limit scratching as much as possible.

Medical treatments

For moderate-to-severe breast eczema, your primary care provider may prescribe the following treatments:

• Steroid creams (like triamcinolone)

• Topical calcineurin inhibitors (like Elidel)

• Antihistamines (like hydroxyzine to ease itching)

• Light therapy

• Oral steroids (like prednisone)

• Injectable treatments (like Dupixent)

What’s the difference between breast eczema and psoriasis?

Breast eczema and psoriasis are two different skin conditions.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that leads to thickening of the skin with silvery-white scales. And it’s usually not as itchy as eczema. Psoriasis rarely affects the breasts or the nipple. It’s commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp.

Inverse psoriasis is a rare form of psoriasis that can happen in the folds of the skin like under the breasts. This is sometimes difficult to tell apart from eczema. In these cases, a skin biopsy can be helpful to make the diagnosis.

What are other breast rashes that may be serious?

Changes in the skin of the breast can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer. Breast cancer rarely has a rash as its only symptom. Usually, breast cancer is found by feeling a new lump within the breast or the armpit or with a mammogram and a biopsy.

But severe or late stages of breast cancer can lead to changes in the skin of the breast called “peau d'orange” (orange peel). This is where the skin of the breast can become swollen and dimpled like the surface of an orange.

Another form of breast cancer that causes rash is Paget’s disease. Paget’s disease is a rare type of breast cancer that can lead to rough, flaky, and painful skin on the breast. It usually affects only one breast, unlike breast cancer which can affect both. Paget’s disease is commonly diagnosed with a skin biopsy, mammogram, or an ultrasound.

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in San Diego. She is also an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts