Breast eczema during lactation

Breast eczema is a very special skin disease that can occur in both men and women, and often occurs in breastfeeding women. Some people have very itchy breasts, but do not take it seriously, always thinking that this is special and they don't need to care about it at all. Breast eczema is unhealthy because it is likely to be transmitted to the child, or lead to indirect transmission during breastfeeding, and can also cause local erosion, which requires special attention.

There are ways to self-check breast eczema

Breast eczema is more common in young women, especially breastfeeding women, which may be related to physical stimulation such as babies sucking nipples. The lesions are usually bilateral but can also be unilateral. It occurs in the nipple and areola, especially the lower part of the breast, sometimes involving the skin around the nipple, often recurring and becoming chronic.

In acute breast eczema, there are often numerous dense millet-sized papules, cancerous rashes or small blisters on the skin surface, with redness and itching at the base. After scratching, the rashes are easily broken and punctate exudates and erosions appear. There is a lot of serous exudation, which may be accompanied by induration, abrasions, desquamation, etc.

Subacute breast eczema is often a continuation of acute eczema. Small papules, scales and abrasions may appear on the nipple, areola and surrounding skin. The lesions are extremely itchy and have a burning sensation, and the symptoms worsen at night.

Chronic breast eczema can be caused by repeated attacks and prolongation of acute or subacute eczema. The skin of the nipple and areola is thickened and rough, the nipples are cracked and pigmented, and the surface is covered with scales, accompanied by exudate and paroxysmal itching.

In breast eczema, the nipple will not be severely eroded or deformed, and the nipple will not disappear due to erosion.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Breast Eczema:

1. Chronic breast eczema

The treatment should be to nourish blood, use cinnamon and phoenix, and moisten dryness. The prescription can be modified from Siwu Xiaofeng Yin. Traditional Chinese medicine includes raw rehmannia, angelica, saposhnikovia, cicada shell, red peony root, chuanxiong, mint, white moss peel, angelica dahurica, bupleurum, etc.

2. Subacute breast eczema

The treatment should be to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, and the prescription can be modified from Chushi Weiling Decoction. Traditional Chinese medicines include Atractylodes lancea, Magnolia bark, Tangerine peel, Poria, Alisma orientalis, Poria, Atractylodes macrocephala, Talcum, Gardenia jasminoides, Akebia, and Licorice.

3. Acute breast eczema

For those with severe dampness and heat, the treatment should be to clear away heat and purge fire, cool blood and remove dampness. The prescription can be Longdan Xiegan Decoction with modifications. Traditional Chinese medicines include Scutellaria baicalensis, Gentiana scabra, Rehmannia glutinosa, Gardenia jasminoides, Plantago asiatica, Alisma orientalis, Bupleurum chinense, Angelica sinensis, Poria cocos, Achyranthes bidentata, etc. If there are wind, dampness and heat at the same time, the treatment should be to cool the blood, eliminate wind, clear away heat and remove dampness. The prescription can be Xiaofengsan with modifications. Traditional Chinese medicine includes Atractylodes lancea, Sophora flavescens, Akebia trifoliata, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Gypsum gypsum (pre-boiled), Saposhnikovia divaricata, Burdock fruit, cicada shell, Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Menthus fragrans, and White moss peel.