The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It protects us from the environment and regulates our body temperature. Any change in its color or typical hue and texture may represent a condition that must be treated.
Breast spots can be related to genetics, hormonal changes, and even age, and depend on your characteristics to determine why they appear and how to treat them effectively. If you want to know more about this topic, we invite you to continue reading this article by FastlyHealabout spots on the breasts: why they come out and how to remove them.
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Blemishes on the breasts: why do they come out
Some stain on our skin draws our attention immediately. However, the alarm increases if this modification of the skin’s surface occurs specifically on the breasts, but really why do stains appear on the breasts? :
Age
Usually, the color changes in the skin are given by the modifications that occur in this extensive organ over time; we are talking about the older, the greater the probability that brown spots appear on the breasts. They are frequent in folds, specifically in the lower part of the breast.
They are usually called age spots and are due, in addition to the passage of time, to the deterioration of cells by free radicals. In this area, the production of melanin is affected, becoming irregular. It is common for them to appear after 50 years of age.
Stains from capillaries
Other times, the spots on the breasts can be due to the accumulation of capillaries. They can appear for two reasons; the first is that it can occur in young women who have a family history of this accumulation of veins, the other is that it can manifest more frequently at an older age.
Blemishes on the breasts in pregnancy
Pregnancy is accompanied by multiple physical, psychological, and hormonal changes. At this stage, the woman prepares to receive a new being, and one of those changes that occur are changes in skin pigmentation, highlighting the hyperpigmentation of some areas such as the breasts. This happens due to the increase in melanin stimulating hormone.
The area in the breasts that are most pigmented is the areola and the nipple, and a halo may also appear around the areola, medically known as Dubois areola.
Paget’s disease of the breast
Also known as Paget’s disease of the breast or nipple, it is a type of skin cancer that explicitly affects the nipple. It is diagnosed at approximately 57 years of age. However, it can be detected in adolescents over 90 years of age.
Its cause has not yet been accurately described but revolves around two theories; the most accepted is where cancer cells form a tumor in the breast travel through the milk ducts to the nipple and areola.
It is characterized by presenting a kind of erythematous and scaly plaque on the nipple or very close to it, having an extension between 3 and 15 cm.
According to the National Cancer Institute, about 1% to 4% of all breast cancer cases include Paget’s disease of the breast [1].
Basal cell carcinoma
It is part of the group of skin cancers, also known as basal cell carcinoma. Its name indicates the beginning of this condition, precisely in the skin’s basal cells, whose function lies in the production of new skin cells as the other (old) cells die.
This type of cancer appears less frequently in the breasts of women. However, it is essential to know its characteristics. Initially, lumps or sores may appear with shades ranging from pearly white to reddish, the latter being the color usually displayed on the chest. It may also be the crispy and flat and slightly raised edge, increasing in size with the step weather. If you notice any of these changes, don’t hesitate to see your doctor.
Other causes of spots on the breasts
Other causes of breast spots can be:
Pitiriasis versicolor
It is defined as a fungal or fungal infection that occurs superficially on the skin, occurs asymptomatically, and is expected at any age. It causes the appearance of oval or round spots on the breasts, back, and arms.
The spots that are displayed can be pink, white, or brown. This fungal infection prevents the skin from tanning when exposed to the sun. It tends to increase when the environment where it lives (the skin) becomes humid and warm and grows rampant.
In the article Pityriasis Versicolor, you can learn more in detail: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Lentigos
Significantly, the simple lentigos are those that appear in this area. They are macules or pigmented brown spots that occur due to the increased functioning of melanocytes.
Various spots may appear on the breasts, especially if there is overexposure to the sun or other syndromes or diseases.
vitiligo
Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving color to hair and skin, and vitiligo appears when melanocytes do not work correctly or die lacking this pigment (melanin).
Vitiligo is a chronic disease, but it is not contagious or life-threatening. Hypopigmented or whitish spots then characterize it. It appears in:
- The central part of the chest or breasts.
- Back.
- Eyelids
- Nose.
- Boca.
- Armpit.
- Ingle.
Mellitus diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that does not discriminate based on race or sex. When it appears in addition to being characterized by uncontrolled glucose or insulin levels in the body, it can have other repercussions, including on the skin, where dark spots appear, especially under the breasts.
Blemishes on the breasts: how to remove them
How the spots on the breasts can be eliminated will depend proportionally on the cause of appearance.
If they can be eliminated after the doctor has assessed them and determined the cause, the following may be indicated:
- Creams: depigmenting creams reduce the spots on the skin due to different causes (solar, hormonal, or genetic). They unify the skin tone and reduce the size of the areas. It is recommended to apply in the year’s season with less sun exposure and, preferably, at night. Results are visible in approximately 6-8 weeks.
- Peeling, also known as chemical exfoliation, is a procedure in which a professional team carries the application of chemical products to regenerate the skin. The specialist should only indicate and carry out this process since it is stated for difficult-to-treat stains.
- Laser: depending on the location of the stain, the doctor may suggest 1 or 2 laser sessions to remove stains, especially lentigos. The spot will later become a scab and, by falling off on its own, the skin will be restored.
On the other hand, there are some home remedies to remove skin blemishes:
- Green tea: an effective antioxidant is green tea. It inhibits tyrosinase (the enzyme that produces melanin). Its application allows modulating the distribution of melanin.
- Licorice: acts similar to green tea. It can be found in licorice-based creams and applied where the spots appear after medical evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
- Chamomile: Another helpful home remedy to treat breast spots is chamomile. It acts by protecting the production of melanin that occurs after the stimulation of ultraviolet rays.
The skin reflects the health of our body. In the presence of any hypo or hyperpigmented spot, do not hesitate to be evaluated by your GP immediately. An early diagnosis will allow effective treatment.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in case of presenting any kind of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Stains on the breasts: why do they appear and how to remove them, we recommend that you enter our category of skin, hair, and nails.
References
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.