Nipple eczema

A scaly, itchy rash involving the nipple and areola.

This is a dermatology problem and responds to a steroid cream.

It may be due to an allergic reaction to washing powder, particular clothing materials or personal toiletries.

Paget's disease - is an unusual form of cancer in which cancer cells move along the ducts and into the nipple skin causing changes that look just like eczema.  Any rash that looks suspicious or that does not respond to appropriate treatment with a steroid cream within a few weeks should be biopsied.  Proper assessment with clinical examination, ultrasound and mammography will exclude this possibility.