There are lots of possible reasons why your skin might look scaly. This is definitely a problem to see your doctor about, because all the causes can be treated.
Look carefully at the scaly part of your skin. Is it a patch, with a definite edge? Perhaps there is just one patch, or there might be several. There are three common causes of scaly patches – psoriasis, fungal infection and pityriasis rosea – but you need to see your doctor who will also consider other, less common, possibilities.
Psoriasis
Red patches on skin that happen singly might be a small benign tumor of the blood vessels, called a hemangioma. Tiny, pinpoint hemorrhages may be observed in the skin and are also referred to as petechiae. Bleeding disorders might also cause the formation of the purplish red spots that are larger, called purpura. Jun 08, 2010 Save these ta-tas! June 8, 2010 8:32. It's not itchy or red. Just small patches of thin, scaly skin. I moisturize them daily with Bio Oil and have used regular unscented lotion in the past, but no prolonged use of anything has helped! I've had this problem for about 2 years now. The dry patches are on both breasts and mostly on the sides.
Psoriasis (‘sor-eye-a-sis’) is one of the commonest causes. The patches have a definite edge, and their surface is covered with small, silvery scales. Psoriasis often occurs on the elbows, knees and on the scalp. It is usually itchy. Many people with psoriasis notice that the surface of their nails has tiny pits, as if someone has hit the nail with a tiny ice-pick.
Psoriasis can start at any age, but age 35 years is average. No-one knows what causes it. It runs in the family in about a third of cases, and it is more likely and more severe in smokers. Some medications such as lithium (for bipolar disorder) and beta-blockers (for blood pressure) can make it worse. There are many different treatments. If the psoriasis is not severe, your doctor will probably prescribe a steroid cream.
Fungal infection
A fungal infection is another common cause of scaly patches of skin. There may be just one patch, or several. Often the patch gradually enlarges, while the centre seems to clear. The culprits can be various types of fungi, and your doctor can prescribe a cream that is appropriate for the type that you have. Some fungi can cause toenail infection.
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is the third most common cause of scaly patches. (Pityriasis means bran-like scale, and rosea means pink.) Older children and young adults are most commonly affected. It seems to be a harmless condition that clears up on its own within a few weeks. There will be lots of small scaly patches on the trunk and neck, and each patch has a delicate scaly surface.
Icthyosis
The name ‘icthyosis’ (‘ik-thee-oh-sis’) comes from a Greek word meaning fish (‘icthys’), because it causes scaliness of the skin over most of the body. The scales are small, flaky and white or grey, and often curl up at the edges, making the skin feel rough. Icthyosis is uncommon, and usually runs in families. It usually shows up by the age of 5 years, and then begins to lessen. It is not particularly itchy. Emollients are an important part of treatment (see our advice for dry skin), and your doctor may suggest a special cream to remove some of the scales so they are less obvious.
Scabies
An itchy, scaly rash may be an allergic reaction to the saliva and faeces of scabies mites. For more information on scabies see our page on itching: questions to ask yourself.
Scaly scalp
If the scaly skin is on your scalp, look at our dandruff section.
Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, March 18th 2011
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, March 18th 2011
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Comments on this article
Posted by Optional on 29/10/2017 at 01:21
itching is horrible all down below also anus and my griot area I've had thrush cream but hasn't worked
Posted by Optional on 27/10/2016 at 08:08
this skin disease of psoriosis i think i have it. am just worried will it affect my sexual life because my skin looks redish and when i clean it easily breaks and i bleed a little. please help what can i do about this
Posted by Jen on 09/12/2015 at 01:12
Ive got scaly on my legs this is a big problem for me ever sence i never use short pants many people laugh becoz of my scaly skin plz help me what can i do
Posted by Optional on 14/08/2015 at 02:58
Pls my name is joy i have this scall peeling skin what should i use for my skin to become smooth and beautiful please help me
Posted by Brenda on 27/07/2015 at 10:47
I have darck scarly skin on my toes it is really embarrasing l want to wear sandals but l cant please help
Posted by Anonymous on 14/07/2015 at 04:54
I have very dry flacky and discolored skin. It's started to affect me at puberty. My entire truck is covered in light brown spots.it is noticeable because I have brown skin. Also my skin looks scaly and flaky and itches and breaks out when the weather changes, especially in the warmer months.
Posted by Optional on 12/02/2015 at 07:45
I have had an itchy patch on my groin for about 2 weeks. It's red/pinkish underneath white flakiness. It hasn't spread but it's gotten more puffy, dry, and flaky. I've looked all over the Internet, but nothing seems to describe this. I'm really scared please help
Posted by Optional on 04/01/2015 at 08:31
I have a lot of dandruff and my nose peels should I be worried
Posted by Optional on 17/12/2014 at 12:49
for the las 2 or 3 weeks I'venoticd scaley patches of skin. the most obvious one is on my elbow but i have a few on my thighs and on one nee. they're not very itchy, just ugly. They're white.
Posted by Optional on 16/10/2014 at 10:56
Hi. I noticed some patches behind my back that has stayed for years now. Anytime I bath it itches me and can take minutes before am relieved. I have used so many antifungai creams but the patches are still there and it spreads. What else can I do. Thnks
Posted by Optional on 13/10/2014 at 01:56
Am peter there is these white scaly patches on my neck they they are such a bother pse help me
Posted by mscared on 01/07/2013 at 12:05
a couple f weeks b4 my last period i began experiencing a scratching of my vagina lips, nothing to major, but on having intercourse i got sore to the point where i pulled away from my husband, with my period there was no scratching, so i assumed it was some per period age related symptom.problem now, the scratching has resumed post menstral, and i now notice 2 tiny bumps, which are now the source of my scratching, and its now a very painful experience when i urinate. i am scared out of my mind,i have never any vagina related problems in the past.
Posted by yummy mummy on 27/02/2013 at 03:12
Hi,Six weeks ago I had silvery dry skin around my groin. It was not itchy, it just looked ugly and it was spreading across my thighs. My doctor said that it was dry skin but I asked for fungal infection cream after reading articles on the web. She gave me mousteriser and canestan cream too. She told me to apply the canestan cream for 10 days, twice a day and I did, it seemed to have cleared up, but now its back again. It's silvery, not itchy, but is spreading across my thighs.I do have fungal infection on my toes which ive been taking terbinafine for, the first time for five months,I was told that was long enough although i could see it hadnt entirely cleared up my toes, however i was told the nail would grow and it would clear up. The fungal infection came back again and this time i was on Terbinafine for another six months but i get rashes as a side effect, so i was told to stop again. clearly i could see it hadnt cleared up my toe and now its spreading again and i have three toes that are infected and a groin. Help!!!!! I am a clean person, but i dont know how to stop it for good. I am getting really fed up with it all. And just for the record, I am very punctual with taking medicine.
Posted by Optional on 28/07/2012 at 12:27
I have to 2 brown spot not raised but skin is scaly and flaky what is this does not itch nor hurt
Posted by cat on 16/06/2012 at 07:19
my virginal lips itch and the itching extends to the anal area. I have ever had candida which occurs esp during the cold weather and i get treatment from a gyno, but this itching is diff and am wondering what it is. Pse help
Posted by rose on 18/11/2011 at 12:44
itching nipplesscabs on both areola of and on for years
Posted by Optional on 15/07/2011 at 09:03
very educative keep it up.
Skin rashes are a common medical problem that can occur anywhere on the body A breast rash is a common complaint among women at some point or the other in their lives. Depending on the type of rash, it may not be serious and not even require treatment. However, at other times it can cause distressing symptoms, affect a person’s quality of life, impede breastfeeding and even lead to skin discoloration and darkening. The type of rash largely depends on the cause. Sometimes even the most innocuous breast rash can be a symptom of a serious and even life-threatening condition.
Skin Rashes On The Breast
The skin on the breast is not significantly different from elsewhere on the body apart from the nipples. It can become irritated, inflamed and skin growth can become defective in much the same way as it would occur on the torso, limbs, or face. However, there are two factors that are relatively specific for the breast – the change in size which occurs with hormonal fluctuations, and the use of a bra in women which is in constant contact with the breast tissue and often pressing firmly against it.
A rash is basically any visible (can be seen) and/or palpable (can be felt) abnormality on the skin or just beneath it. Some rashes may last for just a few hours or days while others can persist for weeks, months or even years. A rash can be itchy, burning, painful or there are no abnormal sensations on the affected area. The skin changes may include dryness, redness, peeling/cracking, oozing discharge or have lesions like vesicles, cysts, pustules, papules and nodules.
All of these characteristics are important to consider because a skin rash is a symptom, not a disease. The rash on one breast can therefore be significantly different from another, even when it looks the same.
Causes of Breast Rash
The causes can be loosely categorized as breast-specific or non-specific. This simply means that some rashes will specifically affect the breast and are unlikely to occur elsewhere on the body. Then there are non-specific rashes which means that it can occur on any location on the body and not just the breast specifically. These non-specific rashes include:
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Fungal skin rash (dermatophyte or yeast infections) as discussed under breast fungus.
- Cellulitis (deep skin infection) and impetigo (superficial skin infection)
- Contact dermatitis (irritant or allergic)
The breast-specific skin rashes include nipple dermatitis, mastitis, breast abscess, inflammatory breast cancer, Pagets disease of the breast and mammary duct ectasia.
NOTE
Breast cancer is a serious and life-threatening condition and has not been discussed in this article beyond Paget’s disease of the breast. A skin rash is not evident with all types of cancer of the breast. Refer to the article on breast cancer and breast tumors.
Nipple Dermatitis
Nipple dermatitis is simply irritation and inflammation of the skin of the nipples. It can be due to atopic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis discussed above. However, the difference with the breast is that it is often due to conditions that are localized to the breast, like irritation from breastfeeding, allergies to the bra fabric, recurrence of atopic dermatitis from earlier in life that may occur during pregnancy or with other changes, nipple piercings or breast tattoos.
Symptoms
- Itchiness
- Redness
- Swelling
- Drying and cracking
- Sometimes oozing
- Tenderness
Pictures
This is a picture of acute dermatitis on the hand. The presentation may be similar on the nipple.
Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue that is usually due to an infection. It is fairly common among breastfeeding women as the nipple becomes cracked and bacteria enters the underlying tissue. This is known as lactation mastitis. When it occurs among women who are not breastfeeding then it is referred to as non-lactational mastitis. Some women may have nipple dermatitis prior to mastitis setting in. Mastitis can lead to breast abscess formation.
Symptoms
- Discomfort wearing a bra without pain (early stages)
- Breast pain and tenderness
- Redness and swelling
- Fever
- Malaise (general feeling of being unwell)
Breast Abscess
An abscess is a collection of pus that can occur anywhere on or in the body. It occurs when the body quickly walls off an area where microbes like bacteria enter or settle in the body. An abscess is the body’s way of isolating an infection, destroying the microbes and then ‘cleaning’ up the area.
Most breast abscesses occur just under the skin but it is possible for an abscess to arise deep in the breast tissue. It is more likely to occur in breastfeeding women often as a complication of mastitis (breast infection). Less commonly an abscess may arise with injuries that allow for bacteria to gain entry deep into the breast tissue.
Symptoms
The symptoms are largely the same as a breast infection. This includes:
- Pain and tenderness
- Redness
- Fever
- A palpable lump (not always detectable)
Pictures
This is a picture of a superficial abscess lying close to the skin. The central dark lesion may not always be evident in an abscess. Notice the round patch of skin redness.
Paget’s Disease of the Breast
Paget’s disease of the breast is a type of breast cancer that presents with superficial lesions. It starts on the nipple and spreads to the areola of the breast. Overall Paget’s disease of the breast is a rare type of cancer and is usually seen in women older than 50 years of age. Although the lesions on the nipple and areola are present, it does not mean that the underlying breast tissue is not affected. The cancer may also invade the ducts of the breast.
Symptoms
- Thick scaly skin on the breast
- Inverted or deformed nipple
- Oozing discharge which may be bloody
- Itching, tingling or burning
- Skin redness with a lump in the breast
Mammary Duct Ectasia
Mammary duct ectasia is a condition where the milk-carrying ducts within the breast become obstructed. It occurs when the wall of the lactiferous ducts become thicker than normal and the ducts become filled with fluid. The condition is more likely to occur as a woman gets older and is not solely linked to pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is often asymptomatic if inflammation does not set in but once it becomes the inflammatory variation then breast symptoms become prominent.
Symptoms
The symptoms are usually the most intense on and around the nipple. These symptoms include:
- Nipple tenderness
- Redness of the skin
- Nipple discharge (cream, green, black)
References
- Causes of breast rash. Mayo Clinic
- Discharge from the nipple. NIH.gov