Symptom 7: Redness and Warmth of the Breast Skin
One clear sign of Paget’s disease can be a distinctive redness and a sensation of warmth in the breast skin. This reddening often doesn’t mimic the typical pink flush one might associate with inflammation. Instead, it’s frequently more akin to the dark blush of a fresh bruise or a persistent, unhealthy ruddiness that remains much longer than a normal skin reaction would.
What might initially be dismissed as a minor skin irritation or allergy tends to persist. The redness associated with Paget’s disease isn’t transient; it doesn’t ebb away with time, cooling creams, or reduced physical activity. Rather, it remains as a constant sign of the underlying disruption in the breast tissue. The affected area might be confined to a specific quadrant of the breast, or it might spread across a larger surface area.
Accompanying the visual symptom of redness, a sensation of warmth frequently occurs in the same region. The breast might feel unusually warm to the touch, a palpable indicator of internal inflammation. The skin might burn or tingle, intensifying into a steady discomfort that escalates with physical exertion or pressure applied to the breast.
While warmth and redness can manifest in several benign breast conditions, these signs shouldn’t be ignored or downplayed. Mastitis, or breast infection, can cause similar symptoms, but these usually subside with appropriate treatment. In the case of persistent redness and warmth, a more serious underlying condition like Paget’s disease could be the culprit. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical attention. (7)
