Red patches that won’t heal

Deezyrose

I'm looking for a little reassurance from you knowledgeable ladies as well as have a couple questions answered.

About 4 days ago I noticed two bug bite type things on my left breast. They have since grown with one being the side of a silver dollar and the other being the size of a dime. They are very red, roundish in shape, do not itch or hurt. My breast is not warm or pitted but I'm concerned about IBC because I keep reading about how it can start out like a “bug bite" that doesn't go away

I do have strong family history with BC as my mom was diagnosed with it at 45 and died from it at 49. She never told me what type of BC she had. Did she have IBC? I will never know. I am 44 now so this is really throwing me for a loop.

I have been to my GP who prescribed 3 days of Oral steroids and a steroid cream and although the marks are not getting larger they are not getting smaller after one full day and a half of treatment

Interestingly enough I have a Bi Lateral Screening MRI scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I have them yearly due to my elevated BC risk.

My main question is if an MRI can pick up on IBC that is in a very early stage or that “bug bite" stage I keep hearing about. I keep reading that a punch biopsy is the only way to diagnose IBC. Thanks for all responses.

blue22

MRI can pick up on skin thickening associated with IBC. Punch biopsy can confirm that the cancer has spread to the dermal lymphatics.

Good luck and hopefully it is nothing!

Deezyrose

That’s reassuring thank you blue22.

Just thought I’d update in case someone is reading here in a similar situation and wants to know the outcome. So far my “bug bite” rashes are looking a bit more faded today. After inspecting my red areas more closely I thought they almost resembled a bullseye type look so I thought I would get a Lymes test at my GP to be sure. I am also suffering from headaches and general fatigue. Which could also means lymes

Tomorrow is my MRI and wed I am seeing a derm to have the spots looked at and biopsied if she is willing. Never hurts to get as many opinions and tests possible.

I am still a bit worried and had a miserable night letting my mind go to dark places and imagining not seeing my two sons (8 and 11) grow up. From what I heard IBC comes on FAST and I wouldn’t see even a tiny bit improvement in my red spots so this tiny improvement has really lifted my morale a bit today.

I will post again with updates.

Deezyrose

Just another update for those who may be looking for ideas on how to proceed. My breast spots/ are clearing up SLOWLY-I think. My husband says they are but I feel after one week it’s barely a difference.Still no itching or pain.

I am using a steroid cream and am now on a antibiotic for possible Lymes disease based on the target appearance of the rash. As of this morning my Lymes test was negative although it’s possible to still test negative and have it if you tested too early on in your being infected. My GP said to continue with antibiotic and retest in a couple weeks.

My MRI came out NORMAL. Would they have seen early IBC in an MRI that was just a screening and they weren’t specifically looking for it?

I thought about not going to my derm but now I think i still will and try to get a punch biopsy. Just want to make sure that I don’t let this go and then it progress in a couple weeks and it’s too late to catch somewhat early

LoriCA

Deezyrose on an MRI usually the best they could see would be the skin thickening associated with IBC. It's a good idea to mention IBC before the scan so they know what to look for. If the spots are responding to the steroid cream and your MRI didn't show any skin thickening that's a good sign that you don't have IBC, but getting a punch biopsy should give you peace of mind.

Deezyrose

Thank you LoriCA. The spots have faded considerably today. I couldn't get into a dermatologist until next week but I think just the spots fading so much and the MRI being negative has given me plenty of peace of mind. I can say I worried a ton for nothing but I always think it better safe than sorry.