A breast injury can result in breast contusion (bruises), pain, and tenderness. These symptoms usually heal on their own after a few days. Causes of breast injury may include:
Full Answer
Is it normal to have breast pain years after surgery?
Pain under the right breast often results from muscle strain or a minor injury, and it will usually get better on its own. However, pain in this area can also be a symptom of an underlying ...
Can a lump on my breast heal on its own?
Most breast injuries will heal on their own in a few days. Cold compresses can help with bruising and pain, but you should contact your doctor if: the pain is uncomfortable. you feel a lump that ...
Why does breast cancer surgery hurt so much?
Dec 02, 2021 · Breast infections can happen for a variety of reasons and are particularly common in breastfeeding individuals. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment.
How to get rid of breast pain?
Phantom breast pain can happen straight after surgery or sometimes up to a year later. Because the pain is caused by damage to the nerves at the time of surgery, the most effective types of pain relief are those used to treat nerve pain, such as antidepressants or anti-epileptic drugs.
How long until breast pain goes away?
No treatment may be needed if the symptoms are mild. Many women are reassured by knowing that cyclical breast pain is not a symptom of cancer or serious breast disease. The problem may settle by itself within 3-6 months. Studies have shown that cyclical breast pain goes away within three months in about 3 in 10 cases.Nov 23, 2017
How do you get rid of pain under your breast?
For pain, your doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol). Relaxation techniques (such as imagining a calm, serene scene) to reduce anxiety may be helpful. Improving posture (sit with head up, shoulders back) will keep the chest cavity open and reduce pinching.
Is it normal for under your breast to hurt?
Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is common and accounts for 45-70% of breast-related health care visits. The good news is that most causes of breast pain are benign (non-cancerous) and usually related to hormonal changes in your body or something as simple as a poor fitting bra.Mar 22, 2017
What does it mean when there is pain under left breast?
When the stomach's lining becomes inflamed, this is known as gastritis. Not everyone will experience symptoms, but a sharp, stabbing or burning pain under the left breast is a potential clue that gastritis may be present. The pain can also be accompanied by heartburn, feeling sick, vomiting, and bloating.
What causes sharp pain under the breast?
Some possible causes of this pain include injuries, infections, muscle strain, inflammation, and gastrointestinal issues. A strain or injury are common causes of pain under the right breast, and the pain usually gets better on its own.Apr 10, 2019
How do I get rid of gas pain under my left breast?
Treatment and home remediesDrink warm liquids. Drinking plenty of liquids can help to move excess gas through the digestive system, which can ease gas pain and discomfort. ... Eat some ginger.Avoid possible triggers. ... Exercise. ... Medical treatments.
Can stress cause pain under left breast?
Below your breast are chest wall muscles. They may spasm when you're anxious or stressed. That can cause pain that lasts for a few seconds or several days.Feb 2, 2022
Can breast pain be caused by gas?
Yes, gas can manifest as pain in the chest as a stabbing pain, particularly if it's associated with the splenic flexure of the colon.Jun 22, 2009
How to reduce breast pain?
Ask your doctor if one of these might help you — and ask about doses and any possible side effects: Evening primrose oil. This supplement may change the balance of fatty acids in your cells, which may reduce breast pain.
What to do if you have breast pain?
If you have breast pain that is new, that persistently affects just a particular part of your breast or that affects your quality of life, see your doctor for an evaluation. In some cases, when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a breast health specialist.
What does a breast exam look for?
Clinical breast exam. Your doctor checks for changes in your breasts, examining your breasts and the lymph nodes in your lower neck and underarm. Your doctor will likely listen to your heart and lungs and check your chest and abdomen to determine whether the pain could be related to another condition. If your medical history and the breast and ...
What is a biopsy of breast?
Breast biopsy. Suspicious breast lumps, areas of thickening or unusual areas seen during imaging exams may require a biopsy before your doctor can make a diagnosis. During a biopsy, your doctor obtains a small sample of breast tissue from the area in question and sends it for lab analysis.
Does vitamin E help with breast pain?
Vitamin E. Early studies showed a possible beneficial effect of vitamin E on breast pain in premenstrual women who experience breast pain that fluctuates during the menstrual cycle.
What is the best medicine for fibrocystic breasts?
Take a prescription medication. Danazol is the only prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating fibrocystic breasts. However, danazol carries the risk of potentially severe side effects, such as heart and liver problems, as well as weight gain and voice changes. Tamoxifen, a prescription medication ...
What is the initial evaluation of breast pain?
The initial evaluation of your breast pain focuses on your medical history. Your doctor will ask about the location of your breast pain, its relation to your menstrual cycle and other relevant aspects of your medical history that might explain the cause of your pain. To prepare for this discussion:
What Does Shingles Under the Breast Look Like?
A shingles rash under the breast appears as a long, broad strip around the torso. In the early stages, the rash may look flat or like raised blotches on the skin that are pink and red. When it is fully developed, the rash will: 3
Causes and Risk Factors
The varicella-zoster virus causes shingles. If you are exposed to the virus later in life and have never had chicken pox, then you will develop chicken pox. 5 The virus will stay in your body, and you risk getting shingles at another time. However, most people who have had chicken pox never develop shingles.
Treatment
There is no cure for the shingles rash, but treatments can help you cope with and manage the symptoms. Treatment depends on your: 3
Breastfeeding with Shingles
Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another and cannot be spread to an infant through breast milk. However, the varicella-zoster virus can spread from a person who has active shingles and cause chicken pox in someone who has never had chicken pox or has never received the chicken pox vaccine (varicella vaccine).
Prevention
There currently is just one vaccine that you can take to help lower your risk of developing shingles. The vaccine that is available in the United States is Shingrix. 2
Summary
Shingles can develop under the breast due to reactivation of the chicken pox virus. When it affects the breast, it causes a blistering rash that looks like a long, broad strip around the torso from under the breast.
A Word From Verywell
Having shingles under the breast can be painful and uncomfortable. However, there are ways that you can manage your shingles to help ease symptoms while you wait for the rash to run its course.
What to do if you have a lump in your breast?
If you feel a new lump in your breast that you have never noticed before and don’t know the cause of, see your doctor. It’s important to have a doctor confirm that a lump is noncancerous, even if it appears after an injury to your breast.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
These risk factors include: older age. being a woman. having had breast cancer previously. radiation therapy to your chest in your youth. being obese. never becoming pregnant.
What does it mean when you bump into something hard?
bumping into something hard. being elbowed or hit while playing sports. running or other repetitive movement of the breast without a supportive bra. using a breast pump. a fall or blow to the breast. wearing tight clothing often. Read on to learn more about symptoms, treatment options, and cancer risk.
Can estrogen cause breast cancer?
using combination (estrogen and progesterone) hormone therapy. These are only risk factors. They are not necessarily causes of breast cancer. It is a good idea to talk to a medical professional to learn more about how to decrease your risk.
Can breast cancer cause pain?
Breast injury or pain does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but a breast injury can increase your risk of: increased pain during breastfeeding. a more difficult diagnosis or trouble with screening results. significant bleeding caused by hematoma, in the case of a seat belt injury.
How long does it take for a breast abscess to heal?
A doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics if the infection is due to bacteria. Typically, symptoms will start to improve within 1–2 days of treatment.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
the breast feeling hot to the touch. cracked or damaged nipples. a fever. flu-like symptoms, including body aches and feeling tired. nausea. pain in the breast. red streaks on the breast. sores on the breast that will not heal. Some people may develop ulcers on their skin, which may leak pus or blood.
What is it called when you have a breast infection?
Breast infections: What to know. A breast infection occurs when bacteria invade the breast, resulting in inflammation. Inflammation of the breast is called mastitis. While many people associate this condition with breastfeeding, people who are not breastfeeding can also get breast infections.
How do you know if you have a breast infection?
In some cases, a person with a breast infection may notice an infected lesion on the surface of the breast. Other times, pain deep in the breast might indicate an infection. Breast infection symptoms can include: the breast feeling hot to the touch.
Can breast infection be caused by breastfeeding?
A breast infection can occur due to breastfeeding, or it can be the result of injuries or damage to the breast. Anyone who suspects that they have an infection should see a doctor, who can provide antibiotics or drain an abscess. Read the article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on December 17, 2018.
What causes a breast abscess?
Skin infection, such as cellulitis. Possible causes of skin infection include sebaceous cysts, which are cysts that grow on oil-producing glands.
Can you breastfeed if you have an infection?
Continuing to breastfeed unless a doctor says otherwise. A woman will not pass the infection on to a baby. Using the infected breast first when breastfeeding to ensure that it empties. However, if this is too painful, a woman may begin with the opposite breast.
Why does my breast hurt after a mastectomy?
The pain is usually caused by bruising, stretching or damage to nerves during surgery or when scar tissue forms.
How to help with pain?
Exercise and physiotherapy. Regular exercise has been shown to ease lots of types of pain. Some people may need to be referred to a physiotherapist. They can help work out an exercise plan for you to improve movement and build up strength.
What is the best medicine for nerve pain?
Pain relief. Regularly taking simple pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, either as a tablet or applied to the skin, may help. If it doesn’t, let your hospital team or GP know. They may suggest stronger medication such as antidepressants or anti-epileptic drugs, which have been shown to help with nerve pain.
What is the best way to deal with pain?
Talking therapies, such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can help you find new ways to think about pain and the impact it has and may also reduce worry and anxiety.
Can a GP refer you to a pain clinic?
You can ask your GP to refer you. At the pain clinic, you may see a doctor with a special interest in pain, or you might see a range of different healthcare professionals such as a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist and occupational therapist. Some pain clinics run a pain-management programme (PMP).
How long does it take for a breast abscess to heal?
Overall, the recovery for a breast abscess can take a few days, or as long as 3 weeks. Trusted Source. . This depends on the severity of the initial infection, and whether the abscess reoccurs. After treatment for a breast abscess, you’ll be prescribed antibiotics to prevent future infections.
What is a breast abscess?
A breast abscess refers to a buildup of pus from an infection of your breast. An inflammation of breast tissue ( mastitis) may also lead to infections. While this condition is most common in lactating females. Trusted Source. , both non-lactating females and males may develop a breast abscess, too. Lactating-related breast abscesses occur ...
How to diagnose a breast abscess?
To definitively diagnose a breast abscess, a doctor will also need to perform an imaging test called an ultrasound. If an abscess is further suspected, your doctor may then order a fine needle aspiration to collect a sample. This also helps rule out other possible causes, such as cancer or benign cysts.
What causes pain after breast cancer surgery?
The researchers found that certain factors were linked to continuing pain after surgery: 1 preoperative pain problems 2 preoperative pain in the area where breast cancer surgery would take place 3 preoperative depression 4 axillary lymph node dissection 5 radiation therapy after surgery 6 chemotherapy after surgery
Can breast cancer cause swelling in the arm?
Lymphedema, a swelling of the arm, hand, or chest wall caused by a build-up of lymph fluid in those tissues after breast cancer surgery, also can be painful. But you don't have to suffer. With proper treatment, most people can get relief from most, if not all, of their pain.
What is the treatment for breast cancer?
This may include surgery like a lumpectomy or mastectomy, hormone therapy, chemo therapy, or radiation (also called radiotherapy).
What is the swelling of the lymph nodes?
Another type of swelling called lymphedema is more common, and is a result of either lymph node removal surgery (which has nothing to do with radiation), or radiation that has damaged nearby lymph nodes. Lymphedema presents as swelling of the affected area, as the lymph nodes can no longer drain fluid properly.
How long does it take for side effects to show up after radiation?
Some side affects won’t show up until months or years after your treatment. If you have a higher dose of radiation, your chances of getting side effects are more likely — but if you get too low of a dose of radiation, it won’t be as effective against the cancer and could leave cancer cells alive. Here are some long-term side effects to be aware of.
Does radiation affect breasts?
Because of the location of your heart and lungs in relation to your breasts, radiation has the potential to cause heart and lung problems down the road — though this is far less common than the other side effects we’ve covered, as radiation has improved significantly over the years.
How long does it take for fibrosis to develop?
Fibrosis usually develops within the first two years after treatment, but in rare cases, it can crop up as much as ten years later. Your breast may start out feeling inflamed or tender, and then gradually harden.
Can radiation be used before surgery?
Radiation can be used on its own or in combination with other treatments or surgeries, and can be used before or after a surgery, depending on the stage of your cancer and your doctors’ recommendations. Despite its many positive attributes though, it is often misunderstood by breast cancer patients.
Can lymphedema be cured?
Lymphedema presents as swelling of the affected area, as the lymph nodes can no longer drain fluid properly. Common areas where swelling may occur include the arm, hands, fingers, back, and chest. There is no cure for lymphedema, but there are ways to mitigate the pain and swelling, as we explain here.
How does radiation affect the bladder?
Just like radiation harms cells in your bones, it also affects the cells in your bowel and bladder. You might experience blood in your urine, reduced bladder control, sexual dysfunction, and interruptions to your daily routine.
Can radiation cause burns?
The concentrated exposure of X-rays during radiation therapy often causes painful burns across the skin. As X-rays pass through the skin, they produce dangerous free radicals that damage DNA, injure skin tissue, and trigger inflammation. This side effect is so common that about 85% of radiation patients experience moderate to severe burns during and after treatment
Does radiation weaken bones?
Radiation is so potent that it can weaken the bones and cause osteoporosis and osteonecrosis. Since bones are living and growing organisms, radiation harms their active cells and stunts their strength. The ribs in your chest or bones in your leg may become far more vulnerable to fractures and breaks.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- For many people, breast pain resolves on its own over time. You may not need any treatment. If you do need help managing your pain or if you need treatment, your doctor might recommend that you: 1. Eliminate an underlying cause or aggravating factor.This may involve a simple adjustment, such as wearing a bra with extra support. 2. Use a topical non...
Alternative Medicine
- Vitamins and dietary supplements may lessen breast pain symptoms and severity for some people. Ask your doctor if one of these might help you — and ask about doses and any possible side effects: 1. Evening primrose oil.This supplement may change the balance of fatty acids in your cells, which may reduce breast pain. 2. Vitamin E. Early studies showed a possible benefici…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you have breast pain that is new, that persistently affects just a particular part of your breast or that affects your quality of life, see your doctor for an evaluation. In some cases, when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a breast health specialist.
What Does Shingles Under The Breast Look like?
- A shingles rash under the breast appears as a long, broad strip around the torso. In the early stages, the rash may look flat or like raised blotches on the skin that are pink and red. When it is fully developed, the rash will:3 1. Be red but could be darker or the same color as the skin on people with dark skin tones 2. Has fluid-filled blisters t...
Causes and Risk Factors
- The varicella-zoster virus causes shingles. If you are exposed to the virus later in life and have never had chicken pox, then you will develop chicken pox.5 The virus will stay in your body, and you risk getting shingles at another time. However, most people who have had chicken pox never develop shingles. Risk factors associated with shingles include:3 1. Age: The older a person is, t…
Treatment
- There is no cure for the shingles rash, but treatments can help you cope with and manage the symptoms. Treatment depends on your:3 1. Age 2. Medical history 3. Overall health 4. How long you’ve had shingles 5. Severity of the flare-up Some medications can help relieve the discomfort of your symptoms, including:62 1. Antivirals:Some antiviral medications such as Zovirax (acyclo…
Breastfeeding with Shingles
- Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another and cannot be spread to an infant through breast milk. However, the varicella-zoster virus can spread from a person who has active shingles and cause chicken pox in someone who has never had chicken pox or has never received the chicken pox vaccine (varicella vaccine). The virus is spread through direct contact with fluid fro…
Prevention
- There currently is just one vaccine that you can take to help lower your risk of developing shingles. The vaccine that is available in the United States is Shingrix.2 Another shingles vaccine called Zostavax was used in the United States prior to November 2020, but it's no longer available. The Shingrix vaccine has been shown to be 90% effective at preventing shingles.2 The shingles vacc…
Summary
- Shingles can develop under the breast due to reactivation of the chicken pox virus. When it affects the breast, it causes a blistering rash that looks like a long, broad strip around the torso from under the breast. The condition can be treated with antivirals and pain medications to alleviate discomfort. The virus is transmitted through contact with the fluid from the blisters, so you can …
A Word from Verywell
- Having shingles under the breast can be painful and uncomfortable. However, there are ways that you can manage your shingles to help ease symptoms while you wait for the rash to run its course. In terms of dealing with further outbreaks, the good news is that even if you’ve had shingles in the past, you can get vaccinated. Once you do that, you will lower your chances of ha…
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the first signs of shingles?
The early signs of shingles are typically pain, itching, and tingling in an area of the body where the rash will develop. It could occur days before the rash appears. When the rash does appear, it will start out as pink or red blotches that could be flat or raised.4 - Why does shingles develop under the breast?
Shingles can develop under the breast because of reactivation of the chicken pox virus from nerves around this area. Typically, the rash will appear on the torso and wrap around the body in a ribbon-like way. In some cases, the rash can be on the breasts and affect the areola, the area aro…