Brief Answer:
Folliculitis over the breast region:nflammation and infection of oil gland.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the rash or boil on your left breast.

After analyzing the picture with best diligence I can make out that you have Folliculitis or simply saying boil over the breast region. As per the appearance it is evident that it has formed bit larger and have a rash around it.

To tell you simply - This is a condition of inflammation and infection of the hair root and oil gland attached to it which is medically known as folliculitis.

To explain it medically, we have hair all over our body which have opening of the oil glands attached to it. By many a factors these hair root and oil gland can become inflamed and infected leading to folliculitis.

The reason for the inflammation and infection of the area is due to the fact that our body harbor multiple types of bacteria on the skin which are known as “Normal flora” of the skin.

Most specifically the bacteria “Staphylococcus aureus” is also a part of that flora, but as soon as there is some break in the skin or trivially also due to bit ups and downs in immunity, the bacteria gets access into the skin and causes the aforesaid process of inflammation and infection.

Breast area is always covered and can have high bacterial proliferation, therefore is more prone for such kind of infections.

When it is superficial it heals without any problem, but when it is deep it causes lot of pain and swelling around the area. This larger area with more pus collection is known as cyst. You can see in the picture that the area is bigger than a simple boil and there is redness around making it evident that the infection is bit deeper with inflammation and redness.

There are certain important tips regarding your problem:

1. Do not pinch, pop or even try to touch the area.

2. Kindly avoid scratching any area of normal skin also, as it leads to minor entry points for the entry of bacteria.

3. Maintain proper hygiene and take two times daily bath.

4. Wear cotton clothes and cotton undergarments.

5. Change the undergarments for two times in a day.


In your kind of condition a proper antibiotic therapy is very much required along with anti-inflammatory drugs.

In my patients I prefer to give higher antibiotic with Amoxycillin and clavulinic acid or cefixime with clavulinic acid in proper dose.

An anti-inflammatory tablet with paracetamol or ibuprofen or diclofenac for 2-3 times day is required to reduce the inflammation and pain.

I suggest you to meet a family physician and get treated early with proper medications.

Hope above information will help you. If you have any further questions, I will be happy to help.
Wish you good health.

Regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases

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Brief Answer:
An antibiotic cream such as Mupirocin can be applied on the affected area.

Detailed Answer:
Dear young lady,

Welcome again and thanks for your follow up.

I can understand your concern and to get rid of the problem at the earliest. As I guided you in earlier mail that an anti-inflammatory tablet can be taken. In my patient I generally prescribe paracetamol or diclofenac or Ibuprofen for 1-2 times after meal.

An antibiotic cream such as Mupirocin can be applied on the affected area to reduce the inflammation. The oral antibiotic medicine is prescription based medicine and requires a prescription.

I am quite sure that once you maintain good hygiene and other measures then will be quite fine at the earliest.

"Wish you good health"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology)

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