Under-breast soreness

Information for patients

Intertrigo is an infection caused by a yeast condition called Candida. It comes from the same family of yeast infections that cause athletes foot, jock itch and nappy rash. Intertrigo is very common. This leaflet aims to raise awareness of the condition and to aid self-help treatment.

For further information or advice, contact your local doctor, pharmacy or breast screening unit.

Confirming your identity Before you have a treatment or procedure, our staff will ask you your name and date of birth and check your ID band. If you don’t have an ID band we will also ask you to confirm your address. If we don’t ask these questions, then please ask us to check. Ensuring your safety is our primary concern. www.kch.nhs.uk What causes under-breast soreness? Under-breast soreness usually occurs in women who are larger breasted or very sporty.

The main causes are sweat rash, ‘skin to skin’ rubbing and the growth of yeast, which appear as a rash in the skin fold, under the breast. This is commonly known as intertrigo.

If untreated, intertrigo can spread to other parts of the body or get worse. In some cases it can lead to creamy coloured discharge and omit a strong smell.

What are the symptoms of intertrigo? The main symptoms are: • inflammation • soreness and discomfort • split skin • spots • itching • discharge (often strong smelling)

2 What is the most effective treatment? The most effective treatment for under-breast soreness is to follow this advice: • Wash the affected area morning and night. Pat dry, rather than rub dry. Wear good, supportive bras (cotton is known to be effective). This will help stop the ‘skin to skin’ rubbing. Nylon bras are known to make the condition worse. • Do not share flannels or towels, to avoid the spread of infection. • If your skin is very red, inflamed and sore, ask your pharmacist for a hydrocortisone cream. • If your skin is red, sore or itchy, ask your pharmacist for an anti-fungal cream or powder. • Once the infection has cleared, you may want to use a barrier cream (zinc and castor oil) on a regular basis to help stop the infection returning. • If none of the above treatments help or your symptoms get worse, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Note: Hydrocortisone, anti-fungal creams or powders, and barrier creams are all available over the counter. Please follow the instructions.

Contact information Breast Radiology Unit – King’s College Hospital 020 3299 4955 Open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 4.30pm

3 Leaflet reproduced with kind permission from: Marilyn O’Connell (AP Breast Screening), The West Norfolk Breast Care Unit, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, Norfolk, PE30 4ET

Thanks to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Breast Screening Team and the King’s Lynn Breast Screening ladies for their help and support in the completion of this leaflet.

PALS The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is a service that offers support, information and assistance to patients, relatives and visitors. They can also provide help and advice if you have a concern or complaint that staff have not been able to resolve for you. The PALS office is located on the ground floor of the Hambleden Wing, near the main entrance on Bessemer Road – staff will be happy to direct you.

PALS at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS Tel: 020 3299 3601 Email: [email protected]

You can also contact us by using our online form at www.kch.nhs.uk/contact/pals

If you would like the information in this leaflet in a different language or format, please contact PALS on 020 3299 1844.

PL862.1 January 2020 Networked Care Review date: January 2023 Corporate Comms: 2282 4