Help PLEASE - pimple on arm then pain...???

Nature lover--if there is that much pain, you have to think about cellulitis--an infection--I'd recommend a swift evaluation by an MD and push for antibiotics. Cellulitis can be very serious with lymphedema, and although you never had arm swelling, you're at risk.

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

Here's the text from the page:

CELLULITIS (INFECTION)

If you have been treated for breast cancer, your hand, arm, underarm, breast/chest, and back on the affected side are at risk for developing lymphedema. Any area at risk for lymphedema is also at risk for serious and potentially life-threatening infection.

That's why any symptom of infection needs to be treated as an emergency.

Get medical attention immediately -

DO NOT WAIT!

The most common form of lymphedema-related infection is cellulitis. Here are some signs of cellulitis to keep in mind:

Warmth or tenderness when you touch your skin

Fever

Chills or general achiness

Pain

Itching

New or sudden swelling

Solid or splotchy areas of redness, or streaky red lines

Rash

Get medical attention immediately -

DO NOT WAIT!

Infection may follow any break in the skin of the affected area, even breaks that seem trivial or unlikely, such as:

insect bites

hang nails

paper cuts

pin pricks

minor burns

scratches

blood tests, IVs, injections, draining of seromas

But infections may also occur even when you can't identify any specific cause.

Get medical attention immediately -

DO NOT WAIT!

Lymph fluid may stagnate in at-risk tissues even before a diagnosis of lymphedema is made. It is warm and protein-rich - a virtual feast for infection-causing bacteria. Once infection starts, it can spread rapidly throughout the affected area and beyond, threatening systemic involvement.

Early treatment of any infection with antibiotics will stop it from spreading, hasten your recovery, and protect the lymph system from further damage. If oral antibiotics are not quickly effective, your doctor may admit you to the hospital for a course of IV antibiotics.

Get medical attention immediately -

DO NOT WAIT!

Even if you recognize the symptoms of infection and understand the reasons for quick action, it can still be easy to ignore an impending problem or deny its seriousness. Here are some of the excuses you may be tempted to use to delay seeking medical help:

This can't be happening to me - I've been taking good care of my lymphedema.

If I call my doctor and tell him I think I have an infection from a paper cut, he's going to think I'm a nut/wimp/hypochondriac.

I'm sick of doctors and hospitals!

It's after hours and I'll have to go to the emergency room - who wants to wait five hours to be seen?!

Nobody in the emergency room will know what to do about lymphedema anyway.

No point panicking - it's more sensible to watch and wait.

I'll just try some Tylenol first and call the doctor in the morning.

Who ever heard of a hangnail causing an infection anyway!

Get medical attention immediately -

DO NOT WAIT!

Here are some tips for dealing positively with the danger of cellulitis infection:

Prevent infection by following safe practices, including protecting yourself from cuts, pet scratches, insect bites, burns (including sunburn) and dry skin.

Carry antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and band aids with you, and use them promptly for any skin break.

Talk to your doctor about keeping a supply of antibiotics on hand. Discuss guidelines for using them when a doctor is not available or an emergency-room wait may be too long.

If you suspect that an infection is developing, remove all compression garments or bandages and do not perform any self-massage. Compression and massage promote lymph flow and can contribute to the spread of the infection.

If you notice reddened areas on your skin, outline them with a permanent marker so you and your doctor can recognize progression or improvement over time.

At the emergency room or critical care, speak up promptly about your lymphedema or risk of lymphedema, and be prepared to remind the staff about your risk of cellulitis.

Be prepared for quick action. Have a small bag already packed to take you with you to the emergency room, with everything you'll need in case you're admitted to the hospital, including:

an up-dated medical history, including diagnoses, surgeries, hospitalizations (with dates), and current medications and supplements (with dosages)

up-to-date articles about cellulitis (Printer Friendly Version here) to share with your health-care providers

the names and phone numbers of all your doctors and your lymphedema therapist (and friends too, of course)

a notebook and pen

any LE alert bracelets or arm bands you might have

a bathrobe and comfortable non-slip slippers

toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, shampoo, and whatever other daily care items will make you comfortable

a good book or two or a crossword puzzle book and a sharpened pencil

and a treat - a few packets of cocoa mix to add to hot water, for instance

Follow your doctor's instructions for when to resume compression bandaging and self-massage for lymphedema. Usually that will be 24 hours after the start of antibiotic therapy if the infection is clearing and there is no pain. If you are allowed to resume massage before all redness is gone, avoid massaging over any reddened area. The infection will likely leave you with a lot of swelling. It may be helpful to make an appointment with your lymphedema therapist for a consultation or extra treatment as soon as the infection is under control.

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It may seem like over-reacting, and too many doctors don't recognize the risk and under-react, but cellulitis can be very serious and will damage lymphatics.

Kira