areola changes

[Harini]

I am 45 years old and had an annual exam last week.  I mentioned a slight rash to my doctor on my right breast well below my areola.  She said it was nothing and to come back if it did not disappear.  The rash is gone but I noticed after coming home that my right areola is slightly larger on the bottom side of the same breast.  The skin appears smooth and brown just a little slightly extended to the bottom right of the right breast.  But when the areola wrinkles, the skin under forms a thin line like ridge under the areola.  I am worried.  I do see a hair or two growing out of the ridge.  I am scheduled to have my annual mammogram within a few weeks.  Have always had normal results.  Is there need for concern?  My husband tells me they are just glands.  I started my period two days after the doctor's visit and am still on it.  Thank you.

[Delder]

I am 48 years old and heading to the doctor this afternoon.  About a month or more ago, I found what appeared to be a "bite" on my left areola.  It was itchy and dry and wrinkly.  Now I'm finding that I have a similar one on my right areola - so I'm heading in to have this checked.  Of course, I'm nervous as heck.  I looked up paget's disease, and although there are description similiarities, my "bite" is not crusty, nor is do I have blood coming from the areola.  Has anyone else had this problem before?

Thanks.  DELDER

[Delder]

I am 48 years old and heading to the doctor this afternoon.  About a month or more ago, I found what appeared to be a "bite" on my left areola.  It was itchy and dry and wrinkly.  Now I'm finding that I have a similar one on my right areola - so I'm heading in to have this checked.  Of course, I'm nervous as heck.  I looked up paget's disease, and although there are description similiarities, my "bite" is not crusty, nor is do I have blood coming from the areola.  Has anyone else had this problem before?

Thanks.  DELDER

[Delder]

I am 48 years old and heading to the doctor this afternoon.  About a month or more ago, I found what appeared to be a "bite" on my left areola.  It was itchy and dry and wrinkly.  Now I'm finding that I have a similar one on my right areola - so I'm heading in to have this checked.  Of course, I'm nervous as heck.  I looked up paget's disease, and although there are description similiarities, my "bite" is not crusty, nor is do I have blood coming from the areola.  Has anyone else had this problem before?

Thanks.  DELDER

[Harini]

Hi Karen,
What kind of changes did you notice the year leading to your diagnosis?  I had a mammogram last week and have not got the results yet though the technician told me it looked alright.  I went back to my doctor last Wednesday and she told me she did not see anything to be concerned about and that I probably always had the areola changes I was talking about but had just not noticed the difference before.  I know my body and can see what I am concerned about and know I did not have it before....  Not sure what to do or if I am just being a worry-wart.  Thank you for writing.
Harini

[Kar-Kar]

Hi, re areola changes, I would agree that you are right to want to have this checked out more thoroughly. I am completing radiation therapy for breast cancer that was caught at its earliest moment and all of it was removed with minimal removal of breast tissue. This was caught on my regular mammo however I had had areola changes (no rash however) for the year leading up to my mammo, and in reaading websites I learned that areola changes is one sign of DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ, which I had in my milk ducts (which is what contained it "in place" or "in situ", thank God). This apparently is a very common form of breast cancer that is frequently being found in women. Also during the year leading up to the mammo, I had tingling in the skin of the back of my upper left arm (same side as the breast cancer) and, given the sensations I've felt there since the surgery, I suspect that those nerve endings lead into the milk ducts so now I realize something was happening. But the cancer was still microscopic, not palpable during breast exam, and the mammo caught it, and I have a very optimistic future since I had the surgery and radiation right away. Kind regards and best wishes from Karen

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear harini:  Breasts are not usually symmetrical.  As such, the areolas may not appear symmetrical either.  From what you describe, it sounds as though you are describing normal anatomy.  However, if you remain concerned, you might want to let your doctor know.