Nipple worry - Paget's disease?!

[glowworm]

Hi - for a few months, my right nipple has been flaky, scaly and a bit red. I was wondering if it was eczema, but I made the mistake of googling and now am very worried it's Paget's disease, especially as it's only one nipple!

After a while of on-and-off worrying, I went to the doctor and she said it could be either eczema, thrush or ... Paget's. (She actually asked if I'd been googling!) She said it's extremely rare, so she really doesn't think it's that. But she's referring me to a breast specialist so they can 'rule it out'. I left with a prescription for antifungal and hydrocortisone cream and felt more reassured.

Well, I've been using the cream for 10 days now and there's no improvement! So I'm now feeling really worried. Does this mean it's something more serious, or are there cases of eczema that don't clear up with steroid cream? I haven't heard when my appointment at the breast clinic will be ... how can I stop worrying in the meantime?!

Thanks!

[Diva]

Hi there

I had the exact same scare about four years ago. I too googled and came up with Pagets disease. I went to the Dr and she referred me to a breast consultant as one of my nipples had gone white, just the tip.

The white was a blocked duct which the Consultant cut there and then (it was just like a big spot) and confirmed the itchiness was eczema, went to a dermatologist and he prescribed Elcon ointment 0.1% which is a corticosteroid and that stopped the itching quickly although it still reoccurs when I get hot or stressed.

Interestingly, a chemist once dispensed the wrong ointment and it didn't touch the itch, so you might need another type than the one you have.

Pagets disease is very, very rare and the breast specialist I saw said itching and dryness etc. are not the only symptoms. The internet has some real horror stories on it so don't google, I have learnt this lesson to my cost!!!

Please be reassured, I know exactly what you are going through and I don't want you to feel like I did four years ago!!! (I completely went to pieces for three days until my appointment with the Consultant)

My dermatologist said that it often (but not only) effects women that had eczema as a child, as I did.

Try not to worry, I completely understand.

xx

[glowworm]

Thanks so much for your reply, Diva. I am trying to hold on to the fact that it's rare (and I'm 40, so not even in the usual age bracket for Paget's), but I'd be so much more reassured about the whole thing if the cream was doing something. I know that these creams are usually really effective at damping down the inflammation of eczema. I can live with the problem as long as I know it's nothing sinister, but I'll have to wait to make sure!

[Diva]

What cream have you been given?

40's is the age that my Dermatologist told me that eczema of the nipple occurs (I was 43 when mine started).

Try not to worry, it sounds just like my case and all was fine.

(I know it's easier said than done as I have similar concerns at present with urinary issues!)

[glowworm]

I was given Canesten, as it has a fungicide (in case it's thrush) as well as hydrocortisone.

[Diva]

Hi again

What hyrocortisone 'though - that's the one that might need changing (from my experience) some just don't work on eczema (seems strange I know).

[blue moon]

Hi....I have Paget',s I have it on the skull and in my legs,it is painfull but there are good meds out there for it.It really is nothing bad and quite common disease.Take care
Petra xx

[dodo]

I had this a few years ago. My nipples itched a lot and I had very dry skin on them. It went away on it's own eventually.

[glowworm]

Diva - not sure what kind. Will have to check.

Petra - thanks for the message and glad you're coping with your condition. What I am worried about is that Paget's of the nipple in most cases means breast cancer.

[glowworm]

Thanks for the message, Dodo. I think I would worry much less if it was both nipples affected. I think eczema in only one nipple is less likely, and Paget's affects one nipple, so it's not surprising (in my HA state) that I'm making the connection!