Thick skin- steroid cream

Emma2204

hi,

So I know it’s hard to say without tests and things but I’d really appreciate some opinions!!

I went to my gp about a really thick, bumpy patch on skin on my breast. She prescribed some steroid cream and referred me to the breast clinic. The steroid cream has helped to make it much thinner, the dr at the breast clinic says it’s a good sign that js responding to the cream, I can either wait and see if it continues to pr have a punch biopsy there and then. I opted for the first one! (Nerves))

So I’ve received a follow up appt which will be biopsy. The skin is much thinner but still a very dry patch there Should I go to this appt?

Thank you x

Zukee

This sounds like lichen sclerosis and/or morphea, which are auto-immune skin disorders. I've had this for years and years. The breasts are common areas for it to develop, and the steroid cream is the standard treatment. The punch biopsy is not a big deal - they just take a small bit of skin - and will help to make a definite diagnosis. The word biopsy makes you think of cancer, but that is only one of the many, many things they will examine the sample for. You may want to see a dermatologist if the problem persists or it develops on other parts of the body. Good luck to you!

djmammo

Emma2204

Thickening of the skin from IBC is secondary to the filling of the skin's lymphatics with cancer cells, causing obstruction, and backing up the flow of lymph which quickly progresses and is unaffected by topical steroid creams.

As mentioned above punch biopsies are not just for diagnosing cancer, but also for a wide variety of dermatologic problems.