I Have Had Rash On Breast For Over 3 Years

Posted on Thu, 13 Aug 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Answered on

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : have had rash on breast for over 3 years. sore scally itchy flaky hot red. dr keeps giving me cetraben cream and others not working. pictures are attached

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photographs.
It looks like a fungal infection.

Cetraben is an emollient, it can only give you a soothing feel for some time.
You need treatment with antifungal medications.

A combination of capsule Itraconazole 200 mg twice daily for a week along with ointment Sertaconazole for local application twice daily for a month should be helpful. A prescription may be required by the local physician

You can also take tablet cetirizine daily at night if there is itch.

Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (9 hours later)

i have been given different diagnoses from the dermatologists on this app, the other derma said it was eczema, how do i know which is correct and how to proceed with treatment

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Try medication

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Eczema and fungal infections look similar and also the clinical presentation is similar.
In certain cases a presdisposing fungal infection may lead to eczema.
Please try the medicine suggested by me. This should help you.
In order to get a confirmed diagnosis you need to meet a dermatologist and get a fungal scraping done.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (10 hours later)

how do i know it is not breast cancer related?!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Don't worry it's not breast cancer.
Firstly cancer spreads rapidly, in 3 years it would have involved entire breast and surrounding areas.
secondly in cancer entire thickness of skin as well as underneath tissue are involved which leads to ulcer formation and bleed or lump formation.
Just relax it's not cancer.
Try the medicine suggested by me and let me know the results.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (44 hours later)

thank you for your reply, do you know what causes this condition, and if it can be permenantly treated, is it diet related? is there anything i can change lifestyle wise

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use ketoconazole soap

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
As I mentioned earlier an underlying fungal infection can become chronic.
You might have used steroid creams in past which give momentary relief but make the disease chronic.
Try the antifungal medication, if there is a good response you can take a complete course of 3 months.
Just maintain personal hygiene and use ketoconazole soap. No other lifestyle changes are required.
Let me know if you have any doubts.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng