Hi all,
I was glad to find this thread since I am wondering if I have Paget's. I have several reddish-looking dry areas on one of my areolas; the nipple is OK. The spots burn a little but don't itch. I have been to a dermatologist and a general surgeon - both of whom say it is not Paget's. Tomorrow I go to my gyne.
These tannish areas have a distinct border but the border does not necessarily follow the circle of the areola. At the bottom there is a small area that does go outside the areola maybe a fraction of an inch.
If this is something serious, I want to catch it while it's still in the early stages.
Since there is no nipple involvement, I'm wondering if it's Paget's. My dermatologist says it's some kind of eczema, but then if it is, why isn't it on both breasts?
Any info will be much appreciated.
Mindy

Hi all,
My dermatologist says it's some kind of eczema, but then if it is, why isn't it on both breasts?
Any info will be much appreciated.
Mindy

Hi Mindy,I have eczema.I've been getting it on and off for the last 20 yrs.It's itches terribly.Then the skin spilts open and is painful.
It only affects my right hand.I've never gotton it on my left hand or anywhere else.
Maybe you can get a second opinion to be sure.For eczema,I use diprisone ointment (it's a prescription)& it heals overnight.
Hope this helps & good luck to you,
Marie

Inflammatory breast cancer may be something you might want to search and find out about.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/ibc

Mindy,

Not to scare you, but I just received an email tonight from a friend and breast cancer survivor (I am a survivor also) re Paget's dx. It was from a women who has paget's that metastisized. - She said the symptoms to look for are redness, possible oozing, a persisitent itch and or burn at the area and crusting on the outer edge of the lesion. - She said her treatment WAS delayed, as they thought it was dermatitis and that her only symtoms was the crusty outer edge and it started as a sore or pimple.

She said it is especially important to check it out if it is only on ONE breast, as paget's rarely occurs on both breasts.

From her experience, she said it is dxed by getting a mammogram of both breasts and having the skin lesion biopsyed immediately. To make sure, I would insist on these tests and don't let them talk you out of it. - It is better to be safe and if you have a biopsy, you will know for sure. - It could be something totally harmless, but why take a chance??

This lady did not have many symptoms. - the sore was just annoying and they delayed checking re breast cancer. - Now she has mets, when it could have been discovered earlier.

Again, a good chance your's is nothing but why risk it?
Leea