Please Help Me!! - Birmingham,AL

it might just be a rash or yeast or some other fungus. You could try waiting a week, using over the counter Lotramin (anti-fungal, in the shoe insert section fo Walgreens) and taking off the bra and airing the area out for a few days. If it doesn't get better then go see the doc.

Don't worry, though. It is FAR more likely that it is a fungus than a cancer.

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To locate a FDA certified, accredited mammography facility in your area, call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER. If you do not have health insurance, you have a number of options:

1. Call your local chapter of the American Cancer Society (number in your phone book) or the national toll-free number, 1-800-ACS-2345. The ACS will be able to tell you about any low-cost or free mammography programs offering screening to women unable to pay for it themselves.
2. Call your State Department of Health (number in your phone book). Every state now has a Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program offers screening to qualifying women unable to pay for it themselves.
3. Call the YWCA's ENCOREplus Program for access to low-cost or free mammograms. To find which YWCA facilities offer this service and if you are eligible, call 1-800-95EPLUS or your local YWCA.
4. Call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER for the names of FDA-certified, accredited mammography facilities in your area. If you explain your financial situation, some mammography facilities are willing to work out a lower fee or payment schedule that will make the test more affordable. Ask the facility if they are willing to discuss these options with you.

If the radiologists requests a biopsy, after your mammogram, or other imaging studies, many of these programs can help you with those costs as well. I hope that this will help you. I bet that a good doctors office will work out a good payment plan with you and you pay what you can. As long as you pay a little bit. But first check with your primary doctor or a free clinic about the itchy breast. I understand you being scared with two little ones. God Bless You! M. (let me know what happens..OK)

you can get rashes anywhere and are you sure that it is not just a little dry skin? don't start getting worried just relax and if you have questions just call your doctor,just ask about the side effects of that birth control who knows? also I have kinda learned not to go surfing on the net all the time for answers all it does until you know for sure is just freak you out.

I would look into getting it checked out by someone and see if you can get it done at low or no cost if possible. Better to be safe than sorry. It is most likely nothing. I agree that Googling symptoms is the worst thing to do! I've done it and it always makes me crazy! I've Googled all sorts of things regarding my daughter, my husband and myself and ALWAYS come up with some scary diagnosis when in all reality it's just something that is pretty common and not so serious. Get checked to put your mind at ease and just to make sure it's nothing that needs to be taken care of and forget about the Googling for awhile. :)

Please get this checked out. I had the symptoms you describe -- red skin, itchy around my right nipple. I ignored it since it wasn't constant or that all that annoying. I ended up with a diagnosis of Stage 2b triple negative breast cancer last September. The tumor was very deep (I have very dense breast tissue), and kind of flat and oblong. So, I couldn't feel it. My doctor found it during a routine exam. The triple negative tumors are very aggressive and fast growing, and are most common in younger, pre-menopausal women. My previous year's mammogram was clear; but a year later, I had a 3.5 cm tumor that had started spreading to my lymph nodes. PLEASE be on the safe side and have it checked soon.

I tend to get itchy in the summer from sweat, and a persistent red itchy rash could be either prickly heat or a fungal infection (like thrush perhaps). I'd suggest keeping the area clean, applying baby powder before you don your bra, and perhaps applying an anti-fungal cream for a few days. And don't worry too much about stuff you read online - especially with health advice. There's a lot of pseudo-science and uninformed supposition out there, and we are sometimes prone to focus on the rarest symptoms and fret about those. :)

chill out mommy..........its probably just dry skin.

when you hear hoof beats think horses, not zebras!

I'm not sure what could be going on. It could be so many things! Have women in your family had breast cancer???? I would contact your local human services department and ask about applying for medicaid. That would at least give you and your children medical coverage- then you could go to the doctor and have it checked out.

Best luck!

Are you nursing? I had a breast infection once while nursing that started out as red areas, then got painful. If you are nursing try to catch this as early as possible because the pain does get worse. But if not, it's probably like the other said, give it a few days, then if it doesn't clear up do what you can to see a dr. What about the local health unit?

This happens to me often during the summer - because of increased sweating. Both my daughter and I get fungal infections if there is any sweat that sits on our skin and this is what causes it for me. We buy a $15 prescription body shampoo that we can use once a month to help treat the infections and help with the itching.

I would still go in if at all you can go - to any doctor. Look for a low-cost clinic. There are also volunteer organizations where doctors volunteer their time to help (generally only diagnose issues or treat small health concerns) for people without insurance. You can call your state health department and see what's available.

Good luck and hang in there!

S.,
You don't have to go to the ob/gyn to get a breast exam. Any family doctor or nurse can do one. Maybe even check Planned Parenthood for an exam. Better safe than sorry. Praying for you.

I know how you feel as a mom of a 3 year old. I just went through something kinda similar. I had sharp pains under arm near my arm pit arm & thought immediately ohhhh nooo! I had the exact fear. I got mammogram & ultrasound, they both came back alright. I suggest you make an appointment to ease your mind & find out what's going on. I feel so much more at ease. I even cry at the thought of the worst prior to getting the test. I'm still not sure what my pain is stemming from but am relieved to know it's not breast cancer. Maybe you have a dry patch on your skin, maybe weather change... I would definite not hesitate & make an appointment to at the very least put your mind at rest. Good luck.

It may be yeast...candida...and is very treatable...naturally without medication.
Do you breastfeed?
If so, does your baby have thrush (white bumps in the mouth or on the tongue)?

I had this lots while nursing.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Probiotics from a health food store...I like PB8 brand is a must.
2. Cut down on sugar, juices, and white flour products
3. Drink pure water only

If you have more questions feel free to message me.

Blessings,
A.