Breast eczema

{{Short description|Medical condition}}

{{Infobox medical condition (new)

| name = Breast eczema

| synonyms = Nipple eczema, nipple dermatitis, breast dermatitis

| image = Eczema of the nipple Wellcome L0062181.jpg

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| field = Dermatology

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The term breast eczema refers to benign dermatitis seen in the skin of the breast. It can affect the nipples, areolae, and surrounding areas.

Eczema of the nipples is the moist type, with oozing and crusting. Painful fissuring is frequently seen, especially in nursing mothers.{{cite book | vauthors = James WD, Berger T, Elston D |title=Andrews' diseases of the skin : clinical dermatology. |date=2006 |publisher=Saunders Elsevier |location=Philadelphia |isbn=978-0-7216-2921-6 |edition=10th}}{{rp|78}} It will often occur in pregnancy, even without breastfeeding.

Persistent eczema of the nipple, especially in the middle-aged and elderly, should be discussed with a doctor, as a rare type of breast cancer called Paget's disease can cause similar symptoms.{{Cite web |date=2017-10-23 |title=Paget's disease of the nipple |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pagets-disease-nipple/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611005249/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pagets-disease-nipple/ |archive-date=2024-06-11 |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=nhs.uk |language=en}}