Any changes in breast health should be taken seriously and warrant a visit to the doctor. Red bumps on the breast that ooze may indicate a breast infection, breast rash or breast cancer. Establishing your baseline breast health and knowing the signs and symptoms to look for in a monthly breast self-exam could save your life.
Infection
According to "The New York Times," breast infections are usually caused by a common bacteria found on the skin that enters the breast through a crack in the skin, most likely in the nipple. The infected breast tissue swells and may cause pain, redness, lumps and nipple discharge in the affected breast. Common in breast-feeding women, mastitis can be relieved by antibiotics and applying moist heat to the breast several times a day for 15 to 20 minutes, the NYT Health Guide indicates. If you are not breast-feeding, your doctor may recommend testing to rule out breast cancer.
Rash
Redness and irritation on the skin of the breast may be a rash, according to MayoClinic.com. It may be itchy and painful and can blister, flake or become scaly. One common cause of a rash on the breast is cutaneous candidiasis, or a yeast infection. The warm, moist area underneath the breasts is a prime breeding ground for yeast; cutaneous candidiasis seems to be more common in women with larger chests. As a preventive measure, women should wash daily underneath their breasts with mild soap and warm water, allowing the area to dry completely. Consult with your doctor, as a rash on the breast may also be a symptom of breast cancer.
Cancer
Second to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States, MayoClinic.com states. Symptoms to be aware of during your monthly breast self-exam include a lump or thickening in the breast; change in breast size or shape; bloody nipple discharge; an inverted nipple; and skin changes such as redness, dimpling or pitting. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. He may recommended that you get a mammogram, breast biopsy, MRI or ultrasound.
Breast Cancer Prevention
While you cannot prevent breast cancer completely, you can make lifestyle changes to decrease your risk of getting breast cancer. MayoClinic.com recommends the following: Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Limit your alcohol use. Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Early detection through breast cancer screenings and a monthly breast self-exam may be crucial. Talk to your doctor about when and how often you should get screened. FamilyDoctor.org recommends that beginning at age 20, women should do a monthly breast self-exam. Check your breasts a few days after your period when they usually are less tender; and if you do not have periods, try to check your breasts at the same time every month, FamilyDoctor.org states.
Considerations
Red bumps on the breast that ooze necessitate a visit to your doctor, especially if you have a history of breast cancer in your family. Do not postpone going to the doctor for fear of a breast cancer diagnosis. According to MayoClinic.com, breast cancer survival rates have increased and deaths have decreased due to earlier detection, new treatment and an increased awareness of the disease.
