Cellulitis question

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alrz1980
alrz1980 Member Posts: 47
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema


Quick refresher... I had one benign lymph node removed... NO breast surgery. It was about 2.5 months ago. I have acne and at times have had cystic follicular acne on my breasts. Recently a hair follicle on my breast got red and then scabby. It's been ten days and the scan area is slowly healing . But today I woke up with a good sized red area above the scab. It's not solid red but small blotches . The scab and nipple itch like crazy! I ran to my surgeon who gave me an antibiotic. Can cellulitis be caused my this scab and be on my breast without breast surgery? Does cellulitis itch? And I have not had any noticeable arm swelling as of yet. Should I be concerned about IBC over cellulitis? thank u!!!!!


Oh and the red blotchy skin is extra goose bumpy. Skin is soft and not thicker at all just hair follicle are very bumpy like goosebumps. Not all the time but more often than normal.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2013

    alrz, cellulitis can be anywhere. It's a skin infection that happens without surgery or even node removal. It's only associated with lymphedema because those with lymphedema can get it more easily (because of the excess lymph fluid in the area, which is warm and protein-rich, so the perfect place for bacteria to multiply). And yes, absolutely, cellulitis can itch. Here's more information about it:

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

    So the antibiotic is what you want. Also, you might want to use a permanent marker to draw around the blotchy area so you can see if it's spreading or clearing up. Get well quick! And please keep us posted.

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • alrz1980
    alrz1980 Member Posts: 47
    edited October 2013


    thank u! Yes I have taken two antibiotic doses today and my surgeon drew around it for me. I redid the lines to keep them nice and dark so I can see where the redness is.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited October 2013


    Alrz, start taking your temperature a couple of times a day. If you spike a temp, or have aches and chills, you need something more than oral antibiotics.

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  • alrz1980
    alrz1980 Member Posts: 47
    edited October 2013


    how many days or doses does it take to see improvement? I took two doses yesterday and one this morning. Just wondering when it should look different. It isn't any bigger. Does it just suddenly disappear or does it fade to a lighter shade first? Thanks!


    Also... Do swollen lymph nodes happen from cellulitis? I found a small slightly enlarged tender one in my armpit in the same side. Soft and moveable . Is this from the infection? Does it mean it's spreading? I'm not sure if this is normal.

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