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What Causes Reddish, Bluish Mottled Pattern On Breasts?
Question: I am a registered nurse and therefore am quite familiar with my body and what "normal" is for me.
Within the last two weeks both of my breasts have developed a mottled pattern, reddish, bluish . No pain, no swelling, no itch, but the apprearance is quite dramatic. No change when temperature changes, heat or cold. What in the heck could be causing this?
Within the last two weeks both of my breasts have developed a mottled pattern, reddish, bluish . No pain, no swelling, no itch, but the apprearance is quite dramatic. No change when temperature changes, heat or cold. What in the heck could be causing this?
Brief Answer:
possible livedo reticular
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to HCM,
I appreciate the description of the skin lesions rendered in form of mottled reddish blue pattern of breast skin without itching, swelling or pain. This indicates more likely to be a skin pattern called LIVEDO RETICULARIS.
1. Its a chronic vascular disorder in which constriction of cutaneous blood vessels leads to the characteristic mottled or net-like discoloring on large areas of the legs or arms and, less frequently, the trunk.
2. The condition is aggravated by cold exposure. Livedo reticularis can be primary or secondary.
3. As this is the first time that you are experiencing it , it is most likely to be primary lived reticular and usually presents with no other sign but the typical mottled appearance of skin with red and blue lines. This however do not require any treatment.
Another differential which has a similar appearance is that of IBC or inflammatory breast cancer but in IBC there is severe inflammation of the breasts bilaterally and later they may form ulcers and often shows typical peau de orange appearance.
it is important that a complete blood cell count and anti-nuclear antibody testing should be performed with the objective of diagnosing and treating the underlying condition. Ideally it is advised that exposure to cold should be avoided if it is primary and symptomless.
Regards
possible livedo reticular
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to HCM,
I appreciate the description of the skin lesions rendered in form of mottled reddish blue pattern of breast skin without itching, swelling or pain. This indicates more likely to be a skin pattern called LIVEDO RETICULARIS.
1. Its a chronic vascular disorder in which constriction of cutaneous blood vessels leads to the characteristic mottled or net-like discoloring on large areas of the legs or arms and, less frequently, the trunk.
2. The condition is aggravated by cold exposure. Livedo reticularis can be primary or secondary.
3. As this is the first time that you are experiencing it , it is most likely to be primary lived reticular and usually presents with no other sign but the typical mottled appearance of skin with red and blue lines. This however do not require any treatment.
Another differential which has a similar appearance is that of IBC or inflammatory breast cancer but in IBC there is severe inflammation of the breasts bilaterally and later they may form ulcers and often shows typical peau de orange appearance.
it is important that a complete blood cell count and anti-nuclear antibody testing should be performed with the objective of diagnosing and treating the underlying condition. Ideally it is advised that exposure to cold should be avoided if it is primary and symptomless.
Regards
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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