Acne on the breast is not necessarily a symptom of breast cancer. Acne appears due to inflammation and infection of the hair follicles in the skin. However, you should be wary if acne on the breast does not go away within a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms.
One of the characteristics of breast cancer is the appearance of a lump in the breast. If the lump looks like a pimple or an insect bite, it's probably not cancer. However, sometimes it can also be a symptom of breast cancer. For that, it is important to know the difference between acne on the breast and symptoms of cancer.
Causes and Types of Acne
Acne occurs when there is a blockage in the hair roots in the skin that are infected with bacteria, causing swelling. Various causes of acne include the menstrual cycle, hormonal problems, stress, hot and humid air,make up oil-based, and the habit of squeezing pimples.
Acne does not only appear on the face, but can also appear on the back, shoulders, neck, and chest, including the breasts. There are several types of acne, namely:
- White comedones form when bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells get trapped in the pores.
- Blackheads occur when hair follicles become blocked.
- Papules can be recognized by the characteristic reddish bumps.
- Pustules, red bumps but the top looks white because there is pus in it.
- Nodules, look large and hard and painful.
- Cysts, similar to acne pustules that have pus on the inside, but the pain feels more severe and appears on the surface of the skin.
Apart from being caused by general causes of acne, acne on the breast can also be caused by specific causes, such as acne on the breast in breastfeeding women, which is usually a symptom of a yeast infection.
Symptoms to Watch Out for
Although acne on the breast is generally not dangerous, there are acne on the breast that need to be watched out for as a symptom of cancer, namely if the pimple on the breast feels hard to the touch, appears to be getting bigger, hurts, and doesn't get better soon.
In addition, be aware of acne on the breast if it is accompanied by common symptoms of breast cancer, such as changes in breast size or shape, swelling in the armpits, changes in breast skin color, changes in the nipples, or discharge from the nipples when not breastfeeding.
Acne on the breast can be overcome by avoiding various causes of acne. The ways include cleaning the area with acne with a mild soap, applying anti-acne cream, not touching the pimple, and taking a shower immediately when sweating or after exercising.
However, if acne on the breast feels unusual or is accompanied by other suspicious symptoms, immediately consult a doctor so that the cause can be ascertained and treated as early as possible.