logo
What to Know About Hidradenitis Suppurativa on the Breast

What to Know About Hidradenitis Suppurativa on the Breast

Health Line02-07-2025
Hidradenitis suppurativa can develop on the breast, leading to painful nodules and abscesses. The condition can be managed with medications and lifestyle measures.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition where painful nodules (growth or lump) develop under your skin. If left untreated, HS can worsen and lead to the formation of skin tunnels and scarring.
Researchers estimate that HS may impact up to 1% of people worldwide.
It often develops on areas of the body where skin touches skin, such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. In some cases, it may also form on the breast.
Learn more about the symptoms of HS on the breast, as well as how it can be diagnosed and treated.
What are the symptoms?
In HS, deep nodules form under the skin that can often initially be mistaken for an acne cyst or a boil. At first, most people with HS only have one nodule in the affected area. However, more nodules can occur and recur as time passes.
People with HS typically develop one to two new lesions each month. You may feel a burning, itching, or painful sensation 12 to 48 hours before one forms.
Over time, HS nodules can become larger or join together, forming painful abscesses or tunnels under the skin. These may also break open and drain pus. Repeated breaking and healing of the skin can lead to scarring.
In rare cases, inflammation and scarring from HS can also cause a blockage in the lymphatic system, resulting in lymphedema. This has also been documented in HS on the breast. Lymphedema affecting the area of the breast can cause:
swelling or a feeling of heaviness in the breast, chest or arm
sensations of pain, itching, or numbness and tingling
skin changes like discoloration, thickening, or dryness
reduced range of motion that can affect daily activities
The effects of HS can also have a significant impact on quality of life. This can include things like poor quality sleep, challenges with daily activities, low self-confidence, and an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
How is it diagnosed?
A prompt diagnosis of HS of the breast is important. This is because treatment can help to ease symptoms and prevent new lesions from forming.
However, diagnosing HS can be challenging because it can look like other skin conditions, such as acne, boils, or cysts.
In order to diagnose HS on the breast, a healthcare professional will first get a thorough medical history. During this time, they'll ask about your lesions, when you first noticed them, and if they can be found anywhere else on your body.
They'll then do a careful examination of the skin of your breast to look for features characteristic of HS. Things they'll be looking for include:
deep nodules under your skin
abscesses
skin tunnels
scarring
They may also collect a sample of fluid from your lesions to test for an infection. They could also recommend breast imaging via mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI to help rule out other breast conditions.
What treatment options are available?
HS is typically treated with medications. However, surgical procedures may be suggested if your symptoms are severe.
Some HS medications are topical, meaning that you'll apply them directly to the skin of your breast. Topical medications are often used for milder HS and include the antibiotic clindamycin and resorcinol cream.
Some HS medications are given orally or by injection. This allows them to work throughout your body. Examples of such medications include:
In some situations, a procedure or surgery may be recommended to drain or to remove abscesses or tunnels. The extent of surgery can depend on how severe the lesions are.
It's also important to address anxiety or depression that's associated with HS. This can be done using medications, talk therapy, or a combination or both.
What lifestyle measures can help?
In addition to medications or procedures, there are many lifestyle measures that you can take to help with HS on the breast. These include:
avoiding squeezing, picking, or scrubbing at your skin, as this can lead to more irritation, inflammation, or infection
applying a warm compress to ease painful nodules
limiting sweating by using a mild antiperspirant, keeping living spaces cooler, and reducing physical activity in warm environments
ensuring that you wear undergarments and clothing that help to support your breasts
wearing looser, breathable clothing to prevent skin from rubbing together
taking steps to manage weight if you have overweight or obesity, including eating a healthy diet, which may help improve HS
quitting smoking, if you do smoke, as smoking can worsen HS symptoms
Most people with HS will need dressings at some point to cover lesions that are open or draining fluid. Be sure to carefully follow all wound care instructions provided by a healthcare professional.
Takeaway
HS is a chronic skin condition that can sometimes impact the breast. It can lead to painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnels under the skin as well as scarring.
A healthcare professional can diagnose HS on the breast based on a medical history and a skin exam that looks for characteristic signs of HS. Breast imaging may also be used to rule out other medical conditions affecting the breast.
HS is typically managed using lifestyle measures and medications, which may be topical, oral, or injected. Surgery may be recommended in severe situations. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help to improve outlook.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I'm a wellness writer, and I get overwhelmed by health advice, too. Here is how I prioritize
I'm a wellness writer, and I get overwhelmed by health advice, too. Here is how I prioritize

CNN

time6 minutes ago

  • CNN

I'm a wellness writer, and I get overwhelmed by health advice, too. Here is how I prioritize

After a long day of work, I climb onto the couch to make plans for the rest of the week, and my mind buzzes with everything I could put on my priority list. I should spend less time on social media, but it is also good to stay connected to long-distance friends. I need to drink water regularly, but does my tap water have endocrine-disrupting chemicals? Eating leftovers rather than restaurant meals is healthier, but I shouldn't store food in plastic because I need to reduce my exposure to microplastics. I hate running, but I should give it a try. Will that one carrot salad that influencers like really make a big difference in my nutrition? What is a wellness writer to do? If I am overwhelmed by all the ways to improve wellness — and it's my job — I am sure you could be, too. Here is what I have learned about finding the balance. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I have received when it comes to wellness is 'first things first.' It is tempting to look for ways to cut sugar and salt out of my diet when I read a study on their health impacts or to spend the whole day researching the chemicals used in my homewares to see whether I should replace them. But then I am reminded to focus on the most immediate things. Am I eating enough? Am I sleeping well? Did I get some good movement in my day? Have I seen my friends and family? If the answer to any of those things is no, or even a not really, then nothing else is important to me. It is better that I make sure I am eating a meal that nourishes me than that I nitpick the calories or contents. It is better to sleep soundly and peacefully than to stress all night about microplastics. It is better to spend time laughing with people I care about than to sit in a room filled with red light panels. These aren't just my personal priorities. Regular exercise, good sleep and a balanced, plant-based diet have consistently shown to be key in a healthy, long life. And more evidence is pointing to the quality of social connections being an important aspect of longevity as well. (My colleagues wrote those stories.) Once those foundational bases are covered, then you and I can move on to fine-tuning the nutrition, exercise, products and wellness practices that make up our lives. Let's say you have those essential aspects of your life mostly managed, and you are ready to get more detailed in your wellness. Making changes often takes time, effort and money. There is a lot of research that many of the products commonly found in homes contain potentially dangerous chemicals such as PFAS or endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The class of chemicals known as PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are sometimes called 'forever chemicals' because they don't fully break down in the environment and are commonly found in household products. They are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, according to the Endocrine Society. Chemicals in PFAS categories have been linked with cancers, endocrine-related conditions and developmental delays in children. It may not be realistic to get rid of everything in your home and start from scratch. Instead, find ways to make a reasonable change that can have a big impact. For example, finding a good water filter is one step that can address endocrine-disrupting chemicals, PFAS and other potential contaminants. The Environmental Working Group also has a tap water database so that people can search their drinking-water quality by ZIP code and use a water filtration guide to pick a system that is right for them. NSF, formerly the National Sanitation Foundation, also has a list of recommended filters. If you are hoping to change some personal care or other home products, start with the things to which you aren't particularly attached, said Dr. Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist on the healthy living team at the Environmental Working Group, in an earlier article. Friedman has curly hair, so she prefers a certain shampoo and conditioner, but she said there are other personal care products in which she might not notice as much of a loss if she were to switch to those with lower levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Plenty of reputable online databases are available to the public to search for safer personal care products, such as developed by allergists and dermatologists with the Mayo Clinic, and Skin Deep from the Environmental Working Group, said Dr. Michael Bloom, a professor of global and community health at George Mason University's College of Public Health in Fairfax, Virginia. Nutrition and exercise are other wellness categories in which an abundance of good guidance also creates plenty of ways to make you feel overwhelmed. How you eat. The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on plants, healthy fat sources, whole grains and lean proteins such as fish, nuts and legumes, has consistently ranked as one of the healthiest dietary patterns and has been linked to many health benefits. Studies have also shown the importance of reducing sodium and sugar for longer lives with less risk of chronic disease. How you move. Likewise, exercise has been linked to better mental health, lower risk of cognitive decline and reduction in chronic diseases. Adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity and two days of strength training a week, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But if all you can do now is get a couple of thousand more steps in your day, 10 minutes of exercise or more beans in your diet, those are good places to start, experts say. How to create a habit. The most sustainable way to alter diet and exercise habits is to do so in slow, manageable steps, according to a 2017 study. Adding something into your day — exercise, nutrients or even more sleep — takes willpower, which you can wrestle into place in the short term but isn't a good strategy for long-term change, said Katy Milkman, the James G. Dinan Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. But good habits and a well-established routine can help you make the choices you are trying to stick to, Milkman pointed out earlier. Try making small additions of health-promoting behaviors — even just one change a week to make it stick — to what you are already doing rather than scrapping all your habits and starting from scratch. As for me, I am going to keep adding to my small exercise routine next week. And I promise to come back and keep sharing the little changes that can make a big difference so you can try next. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.

Changes In Prior Approval Coming To Traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage
Changes In Prior Approval Coming To Traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage

Forbes

time6 minutes ago

  • Forbes

Changes In Prior Approval Coming To Traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage

There were two major announcements recently regarding prior approval of treatments and services for Medicare beneficiaries. In most medical insurance, many treatments won't be covered unless it is approved first by the insurer. It's been a source of controversy for some time. Original Medicare hasn't required prior authorization of treatments and services, with a few exceptions. For most care, providers and the patient agree on a treatment. After the treatment, paperwork for approval and payment is submitted to Medicare. Medicare recently announced a new model program that will test pre-approval. The voluntary model program will test pre-approval for some services and treatments, according to a recent announcement from the Center for Innovation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The model program is seeking medical providers to volunteer for the program from Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2031. The model will be restricted to New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington. Providers who volunteer and are accepted will agree to seek prior authorization for 17 items and services, including skin substitutes, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's Disease, impotence treatment, and arthroscopy for knee osteoarthritis. A provider who volunteers for the program can choose not to seek prior approval for a case. There will be a post-treatment review of the case, and the provider will risk not being paid by Medicare for the treatment. CMS initiated the program and selected the services to be covered because of a series of reports showing waste, fraud or abuse in certain areas. For example, Medicare spent up to $5.8 billion in 2022 on unnecessary or inappropriate services that had no clinical benefit, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Under the model, providers will submit the same information they currently submit for payment approval after a service is provided to a beneficiary. The difference is that under the model, the information will be submitted earlier and the provider will wait for approval before performing the services. CMS will select companies to receive and review the prior authorizations. It expects that they will use artificial intelligence and other tools in addition to medical professionals to review the submissions. The companies will be paid based on the extent to which they saved the government money by stopping unnecessary services. CMS said it will manage the program to avoid adverse impact on beneficiaries and providers. There was other news about pre-approval, this time involving Medicare Advantage plans. Pre-approval in Medicare Advantage plans has been controversial recently. There have been a number of recent reports and studies that found the authorization process was delaying treatment or causing patients to abandon treatment plans. Other reports indicated that a high percentage of treatments that initially were denied coverage eventually were approved if the patients or their providers appealed the than 50 major insurers who sponsor many types of insurance plans announced that they will voluntarily streamline prior authorization of treatments and services in all insurance markets, including Medicare Advantage plans. The insurers say they plan to have the new process in place by Jan. 1, 2027.

Labcorp Holdings Second Quarter 2025 Earnings: Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Lags
Labcorp Holdings Second Quarter 2025 Earnings: Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Lags

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Labcorp Holdings Second Quarter 2025 Earnings: Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Lags

Labcorp Holdings (NYSE:LH) Second Quarter 2025 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: US$3.53b (up 9.5% from 2Q 2024). Net income: US$237.9m (up 16% from 2Q 2024). Profit margin: 6.7% (up from 6.4% in 2Q 2024). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue. EPS: US$2.85 (up from US$2.44 in 2Q 2024). Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Labcorp Holdings Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 1.2%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 12%. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 4.5% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.3% growth forecast for the Healthcare industry in the US. Performance of the American Healthcare industry. The company's shares are up 8.7% from a week ago. Risk Analysis You should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Labcorp Holdings. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store