What Do Large Purple Patches On The Breasts Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 8 Nov 2016

Question: when getting changed on Monday. I noticed these large purple/pink/red patches on the bottom half of both my breasts. They literally appeared over night. They are not itchy or sore, but they are very warm to the touch. I don't wear a bra generally as I live in a warm country so i wear loose clothing. At first I thought that they were stretch marks but they don't have the same texture, the colour also fades to the touch. It isn't a rash in the sense that my skin is smooth. I have been washing my breasts with salt water and moisturizing with exorex cream in the hope that this will help. There has been no change so far.

I attached a picture. Any idea what it is?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I can't tell for sure, as a picture isn't quite as good as seeing dermatological things in person, but it looks like the blood vessels on the bottom half of your breasts are dilated. This would explain why the area balances with pressure.

Cellulitis (infection of the soft tissue) or mastitis (breast infection) can be warm to touch and can give this red appearance, but it would be very unusual to have this happening to both breasts. Also, these infections usually have a discrete border.

Given that it is is warm where you are, and you don't wear a bra, it's possible there is just more dilation of the blood vessels in the dependent lower part. That wouldn't explain why they suddenly appeared overnight. Is it possible that it was there but you didn't notice it before, or that it was a smaller area and has expanded?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (43 minutes later)

It is possible, yes. If so is there something I can do to reverse it?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.

Detailed Answer:
One thing I want to correct - I thought I wrote that the area blanches with pressure, but it looks like autocorrect changed it to balances.

So - what to do about it: You can try wearing a supportive bra and see if it makes the area less red after a day or two. Because the weight of the breasts is probably what is causing this flushing in the lower part.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar