Could I haven IBC??

spookycat

Before I describe my symptoms, I'm going to establish a bit of my health background.

I'm 20 years old, and a sophomore in college. My Senior year of high school, I had a lymph nose underneath my jawline swell up SUPER BIG. Think Amazonian frog or something. This swelling responded well to antibiotics and went away. However, since then, I've had reoccurring tonsillitis, about 8 times a year. I actually just finished antibiotics for an infection yesterday, and I am scheduled to have my tonsils removed in June. Other than this issue, I have no other known health problems.

Last Monday, April 23rd, I decided to do a breast-check while taking a shower. During this, I noticed a small raised bumpy pinkish spot on my right breast. I didn't think much of it but decided to go to a dermatologist the following Thursday (April 25th.) The dermatologist spent seriously 2 seconds looking at it and said "dermatis", gave me a steroid cream, and left. I've been using the steroid cream everyday since then, but haven't gotten any results. In fact, the spot has gotten slightly redder and more inflamed, as well as smaller bumps arising around it. These smaller bumps look like little white heads. However, these spots do not itch. Last night, Tuesday, May 1st, I noticed my armpit on my right side above the affected breast was very swollen. Pain radiating through my breast tissue, chest, armpit, and up into my shoulder. The pain would be best described as like...the aching soreness after a workout, but I did not work out. I went to an urgent care clinic in a panic. She checked my lymph nodes and said they changed on each side, but she did see that swelling in the armpit, and referred me to go to an obgyn, suggested I had ringworm, prescribed an anti-fungal. Unfortunately, I cannot see an obgyn but rather the nurse practitioner on Friday morning. I'm very nervous and scared. Any thoughts on what may be happening? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

A last few notes: I don't wear a bra so I can't imagine it being from a bra. My last menstrual cycle ended the day I noticed the mark. No family history of breast cancer, but family history of pancreatic and lung cancer, mostly just men though.

MelissaDallas

Nothing you describe sounds remotely like anything but a skin condition to me. IBC is very rare and the average age of diagnosis is about sixty. IBC symptoms don't present anything like your skin condition.

spookycat

thank you for reading and replying! Can skin conditions present with swollen armpits as well

Recap

Just a comment about your tonsils. I had so many throat infections throughout my life that I am convinced my tonsils should have been removed as a child. Several years ago I was noticing tiny round white dots of "infection" loose in my mouth, but they were coming from my throat. I asked a dr about it and she told me they are called tonsilloths.

I switched to Colgate Total Advanced Whitening toothpaste (was using Crest regular toothpaste.) That Colgate made an amazing difference-no tonsilloths and no throat infections. My teeth were better off, also. Whiter, no cavities, it even whitened old yellowed fillings from 40yrs ago.

Not sure if there is a down side to the constant exposure to the bleach ingredient every day, but being in a perpetual state of infection affects your immune system also, not always in a good way.

mustlovepoodles

Yes. Skin conditions can cause swollen lymph nodes if there is any inflammation or infection. Breast cancer is exceedingly rare in a 20 yr old and IBC is about the rarest of rare breast cancers. I feel pretty safe predicting that this is ANYTHING but breast cancer.

spookycat

I had an ultrasound on Friday. The radiologist and doctor said they didn't see anything concerning at all. They noted I had dense breast and then said that's the norm for women between puberty and late 20s (I am 20). They went over the red spot on my breast and said it was not even showing up on the ultrasound at all. They also went over the swelling in my armpit and said there were no lymph nodes or masses detected, and that the swelling must be muscular. The attributed my breast and armpit pain to hormones, despite it not being near or during my period. No new symptoms have shown up, and the swelling in my armpit has gone down! But the red mark on my breast is no longer bumpy and raised, but has flattened and smoothed out. Is it healing, or should I try to get a biopsy done? Thanks.

MelissaDallas

If you are still worried make an appointment with a dermatologist. Sounds like a skin & not a breast issue

mustlovepoodles

It sounds like everything is improving. Nothing showed up on the US and the red spot seems to be healing. There appears to be nothing to biopsy (and biopsies have there own risks ) Insurance would be unlikely to cover what they perceive to be an unnecessary procedure.

At your age, breast cancer is extremely unlikely. Something around 0% risk. There are many benign causes of lumps, bumps, and rashes in young women. I think you're in the clear.