Check Up: How does she get rid of that bothersome rash?

Dear Readers,

Joyce has size D breasts and has been trying to get rid of an itchy rash underneath her breasts for many months now.

Underneath her breasts are always wet and hot. She is using several prescribed creams and some powders, which only help briefly before the itchy rash returns.

Well, it’s the long, hot summer time right now and any woman with fairly large breasts, who doesn’t work in an air-conditioned environment, will notice that the undersides of their breasts tend to be hot and sweaty.

Some women will develop a rash to this region. Trapped moisture, perspiration and the friction between the breasts and the skin it rests against (anterior chest wall) often cause an inflammatory rash, which then becomes infected with yeast fungus and/or bacteria.

This is not seen as often in women whose breasts stand up from off the chest wall. To avoid this irritating condition, it is important to keep the breasts dry and cool.

- Wear dry, loose clothing.

- Keep under the breasts dry and cool.

- Dry the skin under the breasts completely after walking.

- To keep the undersides of the breasts dry, try placing some pads made of a cotton material beneath both breasts. Do not use toilet paper or paper towels (unless very soft and non-scented), as these materials might bruise the skin and worsen inflammation.

- Apply ointments and creams used to treat diaper rash in babies. The reasons for application are fairly similar. Zinc oxide cream or A and D ointment are useful and provide a barrier surface between the inflamed breast tissues and the chest wall.

- When at home, wear as few loose clothing as is possible.

- Wearing a well-fitting bra is important, as this limits friction between the breasts and the tissue below them.

- Change into dry clothing, if possible, including dry bras, when sweating a lot.

- Lose weight if you are overweight.

- If itching a lot, wash the area, avoiding too-harsh soaps. Apply a ice compress for five to 10 minutes, break off for 20 minutes, and then repeat. Dry the breasts properly after this, and apply cotton pads beneath both breasts which are changed out for dry ones when wet.

If the rash does not respond to the above suggestions within a week, then see your doctor, as yeast or bacterial infections may need treatment with oral and topical treatments for candida and bacteria and a treatment for eczema.

- Topical applications of calamine lotion and/or aloe vera preparations can relieve itchiness and speed up the healing process.

- A tree oil has anti-fungal properties and can also be applied to underneath the breasts twice daily.

I hope this works, Joyce! Try for one week and keep as cool as possible. If results are not adequate, please visit your doctor so that they can examine the area.

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