Strange red rough spot on left breast

amandalynnxo

Hi y'all, I haven't been to the doctor yet and plan on going Wednesday the 2nd of Jan. but figured I'd post here to (hopefully) get some peace of mind.

About two-ish weeks ago my boyfriend noticed a red circle next to my nipple. Hoping it would just go away I thought nothing of it. Now I'm on week two and am getting SUPER worried. At first I thought it was just dry skin as that's what I'm prone to.

I have no other symptoms such as pain, discharge, itch or lump so I'm hoping those are good signs but...still I worry.

If it helps, I'm a 26 year old obese female who does smoke (gross I know sorry) and has been on the pill form of birth control for 2.5 years now. I’m also in a different state right now and so my medical insurance will only cover emergency room visits, is this something they could help me with at all?

MelissaDallas

Don’t go to the ER-it isn’t an emergency and they do not have facilities for breast evaluations.

I’m glad you are getting checked, but most skin issues are just that-skin issues

Moderators

We know it's hard not to worry, Amandalynnxo, but like MelissaDallas said, skin issues are very common and are usually just that, skin issues! We hope you get some answers when you see the doctor!

The Mods

Salamandra

Are you able to go to Planned Parenthood or some place with an affordable sliding scale? Or is Jan 2 when you'll be back in your own state and can get a covered MD visit? I think you are completely fine to wait. First, it's most likely not cancer. Second, even if it is, this will be the start of long process and a couple of days won't make any difference.

Thirding that there's any number of annoying but non-cancer things it could be that are way way more likely than cancer.

Please don't call yourself gross. Smoking is not a healthy habit, no, but for most people who practice it, it is serving some need (helps with alertness, memory, stress, etc). It is also one physiologically and psychologically one of the most difficult habits/addictions to kick. I hope you will work on it when you are able to, because it can make a huge difference for your long term health and quality of life (not to mention wallet), but be kind to yourself in the mean time and take the best care of yourself you can in other ways.

Peacetoallcuzweneedit

Hi there - Happy New Year! First I totally second Salamandra comments --> do not apologize and call yourself gross...be your own best friend...cancer has taught me so much....first lesson "show up for myself first" which includes my thoughts about me. Ok - I had cysts etc in my late 20's and 30's and I was in grad school and literally working for free to complete a medical internship for two years. I had NO health insurance for ~ 10-11yrs while completing degrees/internships. I used my public health care systems in my area to get physicals/gyno care/flu shots/etc ...For my gyno needs I used Planned Parenthood...each clinic can be a little different in what they offer or are able to provide (meaning call around/gooogle/etc), but they have the medical staff and the initial ability to evaluate what is going on. You need to be an advocate for yourself and get records/reports/etc but it is doable, etc. With Planned Parenthood I was able to use a sliding scale payment and they connected me to other imagining centers that could get the tests done on a sliding scale as well. Now the wait time was kind of cray cray --> I packed a lunch/snacks/water, headset, and my books and showed at opening time (10min earlier) and sat there until they could see me --> typically 3hrs+ but that was part of it....I needed answers. The stats are sooooo in your favor for this NOT being a serious issue...but figuring out to get the care you need is important as well..... take care!!! Peace

MelissaDallas

I would start with a primary care doc, because a red spot on the skin is likely not a breast issue

djmammo

amandalynnxo

Is it perfectly round and a little darker red at the edges?

amandalynnxo

thank you everyone for all your responses. I am SO a grateful I found this community and y’all have been so nice and forthcoming with information.

The redness seems to be dulling. There are no darker edges anywhere and the roughness seems to be going away also. I will still get checked. Definitely going to try planned parenthood if there’s is one near me (I’m in the south after all :P)

I wish everyone a happy new year and seriously thank you all for being so nice.