Itchy boob - Should I worry?

[whyareallthegoodnamestaken]

Hi all, I am a namechanger and feeling rather coy about this.
Over the last 2 weeks a small patch has developed below one nipple. It is a bit darker than my surrounding skin, dry and flaky feeling and itchy- especially when warm. At first I thought that it was a sweat rash or similar, but now I am not sure. Has anyone ever had this?
I tried to get appointment with a female doctor yesterday and today, but there were no slots left (at 8.30 am!)and you can only book on the day of the appointment. I am working tomorrow and Friday so I can't see anyone now until Monday at the earliest.
Any info or advice to keep me from worrying til then?

I had a similar problem; get it checked out. There is a thing called Paget's Disease which involves nipples. It is a PRE-cancerous condition, which was enough to send me into meltdown, and I had to have a biopsy, but it turned out to be a kind of eczma (sp?) in my case. I use a steroid cream on it when it flares up.

I know you wanted to not be worried, and this might not help, but I would have liked forewarning of the hoo-ha.

Best of luck.

Oh bugger,shit, bugger.
How quickly did they move? What did the biopsy involve?
Glad you were ok

I found the quickest way to get an early appointment was to say (entirely truthfully) that I had found a lump on my breast - they made space for me right away. I think Paget's is pretty rare - there was no instant rush to get me an immediate biopsy. It involved a local anaesthetic and a small incision into the area around the nipple (I have a small scar)- a bit sore for a couple of days, but frankly less than the pain/irritation from the original problem.

In the mean time, I'd try letting the air at your patch, keep it really dry and use a perfume free soap. That seems to help as well.

I would honestly try to work on the assumption that it is a minor skin complaint though that is easier said than done, I know.

I think the difficulty with the appointment was largely to do with me asking for a female doctor. Oddly this was not so much to do with exposing my breast as because I am feeling wobbly about it emotionally.

Not odd at all - I tend to do likewise, though with the boob saga I just went with whoever would see me first (as it turned out, a man, but it was not a problem).

Thanks for the support Subtlemouse. Have to collect the children now.
Back later if anyone else has experience, knowledge etc.

Home again

.

anyone?

I've a friend who had exactly this, and the nipple was puckering as well - scared her silly, but it turned out to be eczema (she'd never had it before).

Do get checked out though, please, because Paget's disease is rare but does need checking out if a doc thinks its even an outside risk!

I developed eczema on first one then both breasts about two years ago, I did have the checks for Pagets, but not a biopsy, they did a mammogram. I got myself referred to a consultant via my GP on BUPA, but I would have been seen quickly anyway. My GP didn't think I needed to be referred but I insisted. By the time I saw him, it had developed on the other side too, which was a signal that it was eczema.

I have to use steroid cream when it flares up but otherwise fine. I have never had eczema before or since, so it was odd and like you I was quite worried and of course had googled everything I could.

Is the itch actually on your nipple or on your arioela (sp?).

bumping for you

Whyareall - I hope you had reassuring news from the drs.

How are you getting on? Just to add weight to the above comments re eczema, I had/have exactly same as you - patch is dark so even looks buise like - and was amazed to be diagnosed (after mammogram, ultrasound & visit to both breat and skin specialist) with eczema.