A breast fungus is a skin fungal infection under the breast, on the skin folds between the breast and chest wall. Like all types of skin fungus, a breast fungus tends to thrive in a warm, dark and moist environment and the area under the breast provides this ideal environment. A breast skin fungus is often a candida infection of the skin and is known as submammary candidiasis or cutaneous candidiasis.
What Causes a Fungal Infection under the Breast?
Causes of Breast Fungus
- Picture of Breast Fungus from DermAtlas
A breast fungus is caused by skin fungi, either a dermatophyte (mold) or yeast (candida). The candida type of fungus is more often involved but a dermatophyte may also be responsible. A breast fungus often occurs in women with larger busts, either due to a naturally large bust, breast augmentation (breast enlargement), breastfeeding and pregnant women. A fungal infection will not affect every woman and is more often in women who wear tight brassieres (bra) or have a pre-existing skin disorder on the affected area, like psoriasis, eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. Constant scratching in itchy skin conditions or minor cuts caused by tight bras (intertrigo) exposes the area to a fungal infection. A skin fungal infection elsewhere on the body may also be transferred to the area under the body by carrying fungal strands and spores on the fingernails or using a common piece of clothing or towel.
What does Fungus under the Breast look like?
Signs and Symptoms of a Breast Fungus
A breast fungus presents similar to other types of skin fungal infections. There is inflammation of the skin, appearing red and swollen initially. The condition is usually itchy with dark brown specks noticed after scratching or within the clothing and bra. Moisture may be noticed on the affected area with a musty odor. With time, a dark discoloration of the skin under the breast will occur and the skin becomes rough and dry.
How is Fungus under the Breast Treated?
Treatment of a Breast Fungus
Antifungal ointments are effective in eradicating the fungal infection and should be continued for 6 weeks to 2 months to prevent any recurrence of the infection. Drying agents like antifungal powders should be used as a preventative, especially after bathing. If the skin irritation persists after the fungal infection resolves, a mild corticosteroid cream can be used to relieve itching and assist with normal skin growth.
How to Prevent a Fungus under the Breast
Prevention of a Breast Fungus
- Always ensure the affected area is thoroughly dried with a towel after you bathe.
- Use properly sized bras. ‘Push up’ bras should be avoided.
- Try to ventilate the area with thin, cool clothing.
- Avoid scratching the affected area as it allows the fungus to persist.
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Thanks you very much for sharing this.
I have been very worried because of this infection under my breast.
This is the second time in 4 years and this time it has been very uncomfortable and itching more than before.
In desperation i have used Boots foot powder and it is working but this fungi is very invasive and it spreads rapidly in no time.
Linda M
Hi Linda
Yes, a breast fungus is quite invasive and will spread rapidly if the ideal environment exists for it to thrive. It is important to consider an anti-fungal cream when treating a fungus under the breast, while the anti-fungal ‘foot’ powder can be used as a preventative measure once the infection resolves. Fungal spores will often remain in the affected area over long periods of time causing a recurrence every so often, sometimes seasonally.
I work for an elderly lady who has just been diagnosed with a fungus growing on her breast. I really don’t agree with his diagnosis as it is not under the breast but from the nipple radiating back to the arm pit. It is red, occasionally itchy, and the texture of the skin has a dimpling or citrus peal effect. He examined her as she sat in a chair, he poked lightly around on the side stating he felt no masses, and that she had a fungal infection, to which he prescribed chlotrimezole (sp) cream to be put on till the “rash” was gone. My question is, is he nuts, or does he suspect it may be breast cancer, and since she’s 90, he doesn’t want to unduly upset her with that possibility.
Hi Holly
A fungal infection on the skin over the breast may not always appear like a textbook case. A lot has to also do with the general health of the skin, clothing over the area, environmental conditions, degree of scratching by the patient and any topical applications that have been applied to it. The doctor may have sen a secondary fungal infection meaning that there is some other skin disease affecting the area and now a fungus has also set on it. Even after using the antifungal cream, further treatment may be required to settle the rash completely.
Breast cancer is always a possibility but the doctor would have considered this against other more common and obvious signs and symptoms and made his diagnosis. A follow up consultation is necessary to see how the skin condition is improving, if at all, and if there are any other signs and symptoms that may have made you suspect breast cancer, notify the doctor so that he can do a mammogram.
Of course age is a consideration here and in patients of this age, the effectiveness of cancer treatments come into question as ultimately the aim is to prolong the patient’s lifespan. As you would know, most cancer treatments can be quite debilitating on its own and one has to question whether it is a viable option and if the patient’s body can withstand the treatment.
When the facial skin has been infected by Submammary Candidiasis, can the same medication be used to resolve this condition? I have had this condition for a very long time and each time it returns, it invades a different part of the body. Thank-you for your insight.
Hi Cookie
Yes the same antifungal cream can be used on the face provided that it is the same type of fungus that is now causing the infection on the face. There are many types of fungi and what may be affecting your breasts may not be responsible for the face. You should see a doctor, preferably a dermatologist, and get further advice. Some medication is sensitive to sunlight or may be too harsh for the face.