Eczema or Paget Carcinoma

Ten days ago a red and very itchy spot appeared on the areola of my left breast. It looked and felt like a bee sting. I went to see a dermatologist who diagnosed eczema and gave me cortisone. Using the salve, the  itching stopped quite immediately, yet the skin still looks thicker than normal. Woudn't a skin problem have disappeared after a week ? I am worried about having a Paget carcinoma, since I read that this special form of breast cancer is often mistaken for an eczema and appears on one breast only. How can I differentiate between Paget and eczema? Thank you for your time.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear tide:  Time will differentiate between the two.  If it is eczema, it may be helpful to attempt to identify if something is a trigger for this (new bra?, new detergent? new soap, perfume?).  Give it a bit more time to heal totally.  Breasts stay pretty covered up so it may take more than a week to heal.  Paget's disease is uncommon.  If this is still there in two more weeks, consider having it looked at again.

[chanyc1234]

Having had eczema for 23 years, I can tell you the patches that flare up under clothes (breasts, stomac, legs) - are ongoing -- with patches lasting for months, on occasion.  It is controllable -- but cannot be cured.