Definition
The orange peel udder skin is a skin alteration that indicates the presence of a lymphedema. The most common causes of this phenomenon are local infections and tumors.
When it has an "orange peel" appearance, the skin of the breast appears edematous between the hair follicles. In some cases, this symptom is associated with increased skin sensitivity and the area may be hot and red.
The orange peel breast skin can manifest itself in the presence of a breast abscess. This localized collection of pus is generally a complication of mastitis and is more frequent in the period of breastfeeding. In addition to appearing with orange peel skin, the breast abscess is characterized by the presence of a painful nodule which tends to gradually enlarge. Furthermore, the disorder is typically associated with fever with chills and general malaise.
Sometimes, orange peel skin can overpower a malignant breast tumor. In this case, in addition to skin lymphedema, there is a hard nodule, not well delimited, adherent to the skin or surrounding tissues, which causes a retraction of the skin. Furthermore, a deviation or flattening of the nipple or breast profile is possible. Other symptoms that indicate the presence of a neoplasm affecting the breast include tenderness and reddening of the breast, and blood or serous secretion from the nipple.
Detail of the orange peel conformation of a breast - Taken from: medicinenet.com/
Possible Causes * of orange peel breast skin
- Breast cancer
- Ductal ectasia
- Mastitis
