Breast redness is a common symptom experienced by women worldwide. It is a condition that can be caused by many things and innocent or serious. It is a condition in which the breast skin turns red and is mostly accompanied by tenderness and warmth.

The redness may spread to the entire breast over time and may be accompanied by other symptoms. In this article, we will explore seven illnesses that are indicated by breast redness.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a breast infection that affects women, especially those lactating or breastfeeding. The infection occurs when bacteria enter through cracked, sore, or clogged milk ducts.

Mastitis leads to inflammation, redness, swelling, and tenderness in the breast, accompanied by flu-like symptoms like chills, fever, and fatigue. It is common in women during the first few months of breastfeeding or in those with cracked or sore nipples. Mastitis requires prompt medical attention and can be treated with antibiotics.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for about 2-4% of all breast cancer cases.

It occurs when cancer cells block lymphatic vessels in the breast, leading to inflammation, redness, swelling, and tenderness. Inflammatory breast cancer progresses quickly and requires prompt medical attention. Other symptoms include breast discoloration, nipple discharge, and a dimpling or pitting of the breast skin.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that occurs in one of the deep veins in the body, most commonly in the legs. However, it can occur in the breast too, causing redness and swelling.

The clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism. Other symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include pain, warmth, and tenderness in the affected area. Deep vein thrombosis requires prompt medical attention and can be treated with blood thinners.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can affect any part of the body. It occurs when bacteria enter through a break in the skin and spread to the deeper tissues.

Breast cellulitis leads to redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness in the breast and can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms like fever and fatigue. Cellulitis can be treated with antibiotics and requires prompt medical attention.

Breast Abscess

A breast abscess is a pus-filled cavity that forms in the breast as a result of infection or inflammation. It can occur in women who are lactating or not lactating and can cause breast redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth.

Women with a breast abscess may also experience breast pain, nipple discharge, and fever. Breast abscess requires prompt medical attention and can be treated with antibiotics or drainage.

Benign Breast Conditions

Benign breast conditions are non-cancerous breast abnormalities that can cause breast redness and other symptoms. Some examples of benign breast conditions that can cause breast redness include fibrocystic breast disease, breast cysts, and papilloma.

Fibrocystic breast disease is a condition in which breast tissue becomes dense, lumpy, and painful. Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can cause breast swelling, tenderness, and pain. Papilloma is a benign tumor that can cause nipple discharge, breast lumps, and redness. These conditions require medical attention but are not life-threatening.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body, causing inflammation and damage. Some autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause breast redness as a symptom.

These diseases can also cause joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue. They require prompt medical attention and are treated with immunosuppressive drugs.