Cancer Research UK main site

Red patch on breast with skin thickening whilst breastfeedin

Miffnoob
Offline

Hello  

I'm just after some help, ideas, reassurance, experience... Where to start really... 

I am currently breastfeeding and having some concerning symptoms regarding left breast. I've had a red patch since around my son's first birthday a month ago. I thought it was odd when it persisted but didn't turn into mastitis (I've had mastitis countless times so I can feel it coming on and have become quite efficient in getting rid). There is no pain feeding or any symptoms of blocked duct or mastitis. My other concern is I noticed the area is covering a large portion of breast about a third and where it is red it is a little inflamed and the hair follicles dimple, the ducts on my areola are always swollen even after feeding where the red is. Then there is the skin thickening which I have noticed. Everywhere on the left breast which isn't red I can pinch the skin off my breast but on the inflamed area I can't lift the skin as easily I'll attach a pic if I can. The redness doesn't show up on my camera. 

 

So you can probably see why I'm freaking out and I have a GP phone appointment tomorrow where I'm hoping I'll be referred again. I actually had a breast U/S around 9 months ago due to chronic mastitis but no obvious cause. Son had frenotomy shortly after which helped although I had it a few times since. 

 

I'm struggling to calm myself over this and struggling to understand why this is happening without jumping to worst case :(. Anything at all, even just someone to talk to would help . 

 

Thank you

 

 

 

  • Offline

     

    Hi Miffnoob,

    A very warm welcome to our forum. I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and am glad to hear that you've got a telephone consultation tomorrow. I hope that your GP will arrange to see you and examine your breasts. If s/he suspects anything untoward you will be referred to the breast clinic. I know that it is difficult not to worry when there are so many unknowns at present. 

    Please stay in touch and let us know how you get on tomorrow. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Just got off the phone with the GP who has given me a week's worth of antibiotics before she will refer me. I did question why I haven't been more poorly if it's been a month but she said it must be some form of cellulitis which I don't think is the case and I don't feel reassured in the slightest. They haven't even examined the breast which doesn't seem right either. 

     

    I feel quite hopeless right now. She also said that for any testing it would be around 2 months which is crazy. 

     

    I hope the antibiotics work and it all goes away, but I don't have a good feeling or like I'm being listened to. Covid sucks, i wish it was just a face to face appointment

     

    M 

  • Offline in reply to Miffnoob

    Hi M

     

    i hope you are well, just wondering if you had an outcome on this?

     

    thank you xx

  • Offline in reply to Amber_009

    Hiya 

     

    It took a few months of back and forths but eventually got seen at the breast clinic. I had more antibiotics and a few ultrasounds which picked up substantial thickening of the breast and the peau d orange texture. 

     

    Later had a biopsy which thankfully ruled out cancer! But they never found a cause the doctor at breast clinic put it down to hormonal changes due to breastfeeding. I did have a lot of trauma to that breast tho. 

     

    Hope all is well 

     

    M

    Xx

  • Offline in reply to Miffnoob

    I'm so glad you got good news!!! 
     

    I've added you as a friend, not to sound weird but do you have any pictures of the red area? I'm so worried waiting for my appointment x

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.