Some rashes occur only on the breast. But most breast rashes have the same possible causes as rashes on other parts of the body.

Causes of a rash that occurs only on the breast include:

• Breast abscess
• Inflammatory breast cancer
• Mammary duct ectasia
• Mastitis (an infection in breast tissue)
• Nipple dermatitis
• Paget's disease of the breast

Causes of a rash on the breast that can also occur on any part of the body include:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Candidiasis (especially under the breasts)
• Cellulitis (a skin infection)
• Dermatitis
• Hives and angioedema
• Psoriasis
• Scabies
• Seborrheic dermatitis
• Shingles

Make an appointment

A breast rash is rarely an emergency. But make an appointment with a healthcare professional if your breast rash doesn't respond to self-care or if you also have:

• Fever.
• Severe pain.
• Sores that won't heal.
• Streaks coming from the rash.
• Yellow or green fluid oozing from the rash.
• Skin that's peeling off.
• A history of breast cancer.

Seek emergency medical care if your rash comes with:

• Difficulty breathing, chest tightness or swelling in the throat.
• A rapid worsening of symptoms.

Self-care for breast rash

In the meantime, you may find some relief from your symptoms with these measures:

• Take a cool bath or put a cool washcloth over the rash for a few minutes. Do this a few times a day if it helps ease your symptoms.
• Use a gentle soap in the shower to clean the area. After you shower, apply a gentle moisturizing cream free of fragrances. Do this while your skin is still damp. Don't use fragranced products such as body washes, soaps and creams on the rash.
• Take care of your skin. Don't scratch the rash.
• Think about recent behaviors that may have caused your rash. Have you tried a new soap? Have you been wearing scratchy clothing? Stop using any new products that may have caused your rash.