When to worry about nipple discharge if you have Paget Disease of the Breast

Paget Disease of the Breast affects the nipple and areola and may cause scaling, crusting, redness, burning, itching, soreness, or fluid. Discharge can occur with these surface changes, but its colour and amount do not show the full extent of disease.

Tell your specialist about discharge that starts without touching, comes from one side, becomes blood-stained, or changes alongside a lump, nipple retraction, or skin thickening. The team will interpret it with the nipple examination, breast imaging, and any tissue diagnosis.

Contact your breast care team when the discharge changes or does not settle. Record when it occurs, whether it is spontaneous, its colour, and any crusting, soreness, lump, or skin change. Avoid picking crusts or squeezing the nipple; gentle washing and patting dry can reduce irritation.

Keep treatment and follow-up appointments. Your clinician may inspect the nipple and breast, review imaging, or arrange further sampling when the findings call for it. Bring a list of medicines and describe any creams or products used on the skin.

Seek prompt review for bloody fluid, rapid nipple or skin change, a new lump, or discharge that increases. Same-day advice is needed for spreading redness, warmth, swelling, fever, or severe pain, which may suggest infection. Get urgent help for heavy bleeding, faintness, or sudden severe illness.

Ask whether the discharge changes the treatment plan, whether the nipple needs another examination or sample, how to care for irritated skin, and whom to contact if symptoms worsen between visits.