Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible Skin ChangesClearing Up Breast AcneOther CausesWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Possible Skin Changes
Clearing Up Breast Acne
Other Causes
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
While skin changes are common as you age and most are harmless, some changes in the breast may be a sign of cancer. Pimples on your breast, however, typically do not indicate cancer.
Breast cancermay cause skin changes, but several other possible causes exist. Breast acne generally improves over time, and breast cancer symptoms worsen.
This article will provide an overview of the differences between breast pimples vs. breast cancer and how to recognize both conditions.
Vitalina Nakonechna / Getty Images
Breast Pimple vs. Breast Cancer Skin Changes
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast tissue. Commonsymptoms of breast cancerinclude:
Can an Armpit Lump Be a Symptom of Breast Cancer?
Breast canceroften causes skin changes in the breasts. Possible skin symptoms of breast cancer are:
What’s Causing That Pimple on Your Nipple?
Acne
Common symptoms of breast acne are:
An Overview of Comedonal Acne
Talk with a healthcare provider if you notice changes in the skin on your breasts. To detect changes, start a monthly routine ofexamining your breasts. If you menstruate, plan to complete your exam several days after your menstrual cycle ends because your breasts will be less likely to feel tender or swollen.Keep a journal of any changes you notice.
Talk with a healthcare provider if you notice changes in the skin on your breasts. To detect changes, start a monthly routine ofexamining your breasts. If you menstruate, plan to complete your exam several days after your menstrual cycle ends because your breasts will be less likely to feel tender or swollen.
Keep a journal of any changes you notice.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast canceris a type of cancer that makes up about 1% to 5% of all breast cancer cases. It is rare form of invasive ductal carcinoma and is more aggressive than other types of breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer causes changes to the skin on the breasts because the cancer cells block the lymph vessels and lead to inflammation.
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
Breast acne can be a frustrating health issue. Fortunately, it is treatable and even preventable. Treatment usually depends on your type of acne, how long you have had it, and any past treatments you have tried.
In addition to washing your face twice daily with warm water and a gentle cleanser, you may want to consider the following treatment options for mild to moderate breast acne:
Treatment options for severe acne include:
Prescription Topical Acne Treatments
Good Skin Hygiene
Daily skin care practices that can improve and prevent acne include:
Do not pop, squeeze, or pick your breast pimples. This can cause scarring and raise the risk of infection.
Not a Pimple or Breast Cancer, Then What?
Noticing skin redness or other symptoms on your breasts may not be related to cancer or acne. Other breast conditions that can cause skin changes include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Breast Cancer Checks: From Self-Exams to Screening Tests
Summary
There are several possible causes of skin changes on the breasts. Breast cancer may cause skin symptoms, including redness, inflammation, thickening, dimpling, and irritation. Breast acne looks like small red bumps, including whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules. Breast acne generally improves, while breast cancer symptoms worsen over time. See a healthcare provider if you have experienced recent changes to your breasts.
Breast acne happens when the skin’s oil glands produce too much sebum, leading to clogged pores.
The time it takes for breast pimples to clear up depends on several factors. If a healthcare provider has prescribed treatment, it may take four to six weeks to start seeing results.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.Breastcancer.org.Signs and symptoms of breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does breast cancer look like?.Office on Women’s Health.Acne.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne.Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam: How to check for breast lumps and changes.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat deep, painful pimples.National Cancer Institute.Understanding breast changes and conditions: A health guide.Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.National Health Service (NHS).Breast cancer in women.American Academy of Dermatology.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.Breastcancer.org.Signs and symptoms of breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does breast cancer look like?.Office on Women’s Health.Acne.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne.Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam: How to check for breast lumps and changes.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat deep, painful pimples.National Cancer Institute.Understanding breast changes and conditions: A health guide.Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.National Health Service (NHS).Breast cancer in women.American Academy of Dermatology.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.Breastcancer.org.Signs and symptoms of breast cancer.MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does breast cancer look like?.Office on Women’s Health.Acne.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne.Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam: How to check for breast lumps and changes.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat deep, painful pimples.National Cancer Institute.Understanding breast changes and conditions: A health guide.Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.National Health Service (NHS).Breast cancer in women.American Academy of Dermatology.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of breast cancer.
Breastcancer.org.Signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.What does breast cancer look like?.
Office on Women’s Health.Acne.
American Academy of Dermatology.Acne.
Breastcancer.org.Breast self-exam: How to check for breast lumps and changes.
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.
American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: Diagnosis and treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat deep, painful pimples.
National Cancer Institute.Understanding breast changes and conditions: A health guide.
Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.
National Health Service (NHS).Breast cancer in women.
American Academy of Dermatology.9 things to try when acne won’t clear.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
