New Here - IBC Question

Lwoodard

Hello-

I'm a 36 year old woman who is currently nursing (6 week old baby). Out of nowhere I developed a strange red patch on one of my breasts. It's about 1.5" x 1". Since I'm nursing I assumed it was a plugged duct. Went to my OBGYN and she said it looks like a bug bite. I'm not fully convinced. The very center of the area had a super tiny blister initially. It was the size of a pencil dot. It has since scabbed over (day three), but the red area around it is not getting smaller. Does IBC ever have a tiny blister at the center? I'm debating on getting a second opinion.

Thanks so much.

Kicks

Bug bite. The 'blister' and 'scabbed over' area is the site of exactly where the bug bit you and the skin reacting to the fluid that was injected during the bite. The surrounding 'reddened area' is reaction to it and may take a while to resolve. Definitely does not sound like my IBC presented at all (or others I heard of) that are actually IBC. What you described is guite common with a bug bite and you have seen a Dr.

Added: There is a Not Diagnosed Forum for those with no DX of any type of BC to ask questions. The IBC Forum (as it states at the top of it) is for " Newly diagnosed, in treatment, or finished treatment for IBC".

Lwoodard

Thank you very much for your feedback. I saw so many posts about doctors mistaking IBC for spider bites, but couldn't tell if those marks had the same distinctive bite area at the center.

Moderators

Hi, Just chiming into say it never hurts to get a second opinion, if you continue to be concerned.

MinusTwo

Stay off Google. Lots of scare stories. Since you haven't been diagnosed with cancer you probably don't have an oncologist. I'd suggest you go see you dermatologist since they handle skin problems.

Kicks

"So many posts about Drs mistaking IBC for spider bites". Say what? Haven't seen those but so MANY who have a skin issue or bug bites and thought they were IBC after self DXing or Dr 'Quack Google's' DX.. I do know of a couple that were DXd with mastitis that did go on to be IBC.

IBC is rare - only 1-5 out of every 100 people (women AND men) are DXd with any type of BC (DCIS/IDC/ILC/IBC or even rarer types) witl be IBC. So there are not 'many' or us at all. I am IBC -have been for almost 8 yrs - I never had any 'redness' at all. But each of us is unique.

I got a 'skeeter'(mosquito) bite along my side a few days ago. It is 'red' and has a center that 'blistered' and has a 'scab' on it - what they normally do to me - just a 'common' reaction to a bug bite for so many.

If you you had posted in the 'Not Diagnosed ' But to jump to the IBC Forum which is supposed for those of us who are IBC!

MinusTwo

Lwoodard - I really do have to echo what Kicks said. And what I said above - even though your GYN said bug bite, go to a dermatologist if you're still concerned. Better yet, conventional wisdom says to wait 3 weeks for ANY weird issue. Then if it doesn't resolve, call your doc. Since you've obviously been scrolling across the internet, you know there are scare stories out there. And the first thing people on this site will tell you is to stay away from Google. The information is often outdated and geared to fantastic "stories". If you must go on line, try NCI or the Komen site or a research & teaching institution like Mayo Clinic.

People with true IBC have some serious problems. In fact people with all diagnosed breast cancer have some serious problems. It's very hard to drop back like this when your facing these serious issues that have already been diagnosed & are likely in treatment. If you are adamant about posting, please do go to one of the threads like "not diagnosed but worried." And my personal recommendation remains: a) believe your GYN; b) wait three weeks to see if it resolves; c) go to a dermatologist.

nugget47

You should get a second opinion to be safe. Heard of may different ways IBC presents itself. My daughter had a very thick area covering the outside portion of her left breast. It was reddish, very warm and pitted like an orange peel. Appeared one month in conjunction with her menstrual period, then vanished and appeared the next month again. By the time it was diagnosed it was a stage IIIb. Don't ever wait. If you notice something different with your breast, have it checked right away. It is too aggressive to wait. If it turns out to be nothing, you have wasted nothing but a little time at the doctor's office and your mind will be at ease.