should I get a second opinion?

[socgirl]

Hi there....for about the past six months or so my nipples and areola area have been really itchy.  On my left breast, I notice the skin around the nipple flaking and looking a little crusty.  (sorry if this is too much information)  I went to my PCP to have it checked out.  She did  a breast exam and couldn't feel any lump and asked me if I had any pain.  I explained that I wasn't in any pain, it's just kind of an annoyance...the itching.  I tried taking benadryl thinking it was an allergy...it didn't work.  My PCP gave an antifungal cream that also has a hydrocortizone in it.  She told me to use the creams and come back in two weeks if no change.  I used cream for two weeks and not change...I went back and she told me she didn't really know what to tell me and if it's only an annoyance, don't worry too much about it.  Well...foolishly I went to the internet to see what was wrong and paget's disease came up...which according to the source is almost always caused by underlying breast cancer.  now i'm freaked out a little.  I'm only 28yrs old and have no known family Hx of breast cancer (I was adopted).  Am I overreacting and should I just see if it clears up?  Or should I go back to my PCS and ask for a referral to a dermatologist or something?  Any info. would be helpful...I just don't want to sound like a hypochondriac.  thanks.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear socgirl:  Paget's disease of the breast is an uncommon form of breast cancer that often presents as a itchy, scaly, crusty nipple that does not go away.  Breast skin, including the areola, is not unlike skin anywhere else on the body and is subject to a variety of abnormalities, which are much more common.  Some of these can actually be triggered by new detergents, soaps, new bras, etc. and can be difficult to heal because the skin stays covered most of the time.  However, if you are concerned and/or this has not improved or has gotten worse, you may want to revisit your doctor or consider an opinion with a dermatologist or breast surgeon.

[Deb95NJ]

Your health, and your comfort are your first priority. If your PCP isnt concerned, but you have that nagging voice inside your head that says "do something more", then you should do something more.  Better to overreact than under-react when it comes to your health. At the very least, why should you have to live with such discomfort??? Go get a second, even a third opinion, who cares what anyone thinks??!!

[boninclyde]

Just my opinion but I would see a breast specialists ASAP.

Kimberlee - Are you the same Kimberlee up above that is married to a medical provider? Just curious.

[KimberlyAnn]

Hi, I am married to a medical provider, asked him your question...he advises getting a second opinion also. Whenever you are not comfortable with your provider or feel that they may have missed something, getting a second opionion is recommended. Better safe then sorry!! I agree that derm might be a great place to start though

KimberlyAnn

[socgirl]

Oh..and in case I forgot to mention.  I didn't wait six months to go to my PCP...I waited about 1 month to go....and it has been going on for about 6 months.  hydrocortizone helps with the itching but it doesn't get rid of it.  I switched to sensitive skin laundry detergent and soaps, etc...thinking i was allergic to something like that.  Also, it's alot worse in my left breast.  My right breast seems hardly affected at all.  Thanks.

[japdip]

Hiya ..... you know when it comes right down to it, skin is skin .... be it on the breast or some other part of your body. If you can't get any answers from your PCP, why not try a Dermatologist? I'm suprised that your PCP hasn't suggested this but perhaps she's never had an annoying ITCH. Best of Luck