A clinico-epidemiological study of breast eczema sparing nipple and areola from a tertiary care hospital in western Rajasthan

Abstract

Nipple eczema can be a local manifestation of atopic dermatitis/eczema when it arises with classic age-related patterns of eczema on other body sites, or it can occur in isolation. In our study, breast eczema sparing nipple and areola, was observed in females of western Rajasthan. This study reports the demography, clinico-morphological patterns and factors causing it. After due informed consent, thirty consecutive female patients of breast eczema were undergone a detailed history, clinical examination and patch testing. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale was used for anxiety severity assessment. Most common site of breast eczema was the upper-outer quadrant (15/30) followed by upper-inner quadrant (9/30). The cell-phone was the most common object which was kept in close contact with the breast followed by purse (26/30) and money (11/30). Total 20 positive patch tests were seen in 17 patients. Fifteen patch tests were relevant to the current dermatitis. Mild anxiety cases were significantly more in acute type whereas moderate-severe type was more with chronic type (p value=0.021). Larger study is required to establish the exact cause of this type of breast eczema. Breast eczema seems to have diverse etiology, supplemented by various factors such as anxiety, perspiration in hot arid weather, traditional loosely-fit inner clothing of women in this region of western Rajasthan and friction produced by the objects (cell phones) that are kept in contact with breasts, work together to produce dermatitis.