skin associated breast infection
Last reviewed 01/2018
The skin of the breast may become affected by cellulitis or abscess formation following direct infection often by Staphylococcus aureus or rarely certain fungi.
Such infections occur in women whose skin has been damaged by previous surgery or radiotherapy, but also occur in women predisposed to infection due to being overweight, having large breasts or due to poor personal hygiene.
Sebaceous cysts may also provide a port of entry for infection and recurrent infections in the inframammary fold may be due to hidradenitis suppurativa.
Thrombophlebitis of vessels overlying the breast is called Mondor's disease.