The rash on my arm - Dr's visit

I really don't know, but it could be a heat rash. Call your doc if the topical stuff doesn't take care of it.

Hi Leslie, this is what happened to me when I had a flare up. Sorry it's out of focus but it does look similar.

http://community.breastcancer.org/ubbthr...ge=0#Post381523

Hope it's not lymphedema.
Hugs
Mags

I just saw someone posting about something similar over on a low=carb board, thought it might trigger something for you:

"Second, I don't drink aspartame because when I do, I get tiny pus-filled bubbles on my hands. I cannot explain this in any way, but it does not occur when I drink Splenda sweetened beverages."

Do you drink a lot of diet sodas???

That looks like poison ivy to me!
Anything that would make the lymphatic fluid rush to an area can cause a flare of LE. But if you have been good so far it is probably just temporary.
I had poison ivy on my bad LE arm last month. I took benadryl and the doc called in an RX for prednisone. That dried up the blisters. Any kind of rash will respond to benedryl so that can't hurt.

If you don't already have LE and you don't scratch it and get an infection, it may just go away by itself.

Keep an eye on it though. someone mentioned about watching to see if it becomes warm and red- you may need an anti-biotic if it does.

So Cousin on another note- My Bristol dad who lives in CT is going up to RI this week and you are coming down to CT- how funny is that?

I hope you feel better soon!!!

I have a pretty good family history- I had to because of the genetic testing! So let me know.

My LE was really bad last year. I went for treatments but they had to stop because I was getting blood clotting problems. I have a sleeve, but it doesn't work so well, it makes me worse. My LE is in my hand all the way up. So I have to bandage everyday. It isn't as bad as it sounds because I can see it improve with the bandages. I take them off at night.

When I first came out of rads I had LE of the chest. But that had a lot to do with the radiation infection. Once I had surgery to remove it the chest LE went down. Then FOUR YEARS later it showed up in my hand then my lower arm and now moving to the upper arm. BUT the good thing is, the hand is not as bad as it was so that has found chanels to drain the fluid out of and now it is at its worst from the wrist to above the elbow. My Goal is to make it get past that area, go to the upper arm and then OUT. They told me that can happen. But it takes time, patience, the bandaging, and my self massage.
So for all the whining and complaining I did last summer... I don't know how these girls put up with me! I have gotten it to shift and move in the right direction.

The key is to catch it while it is still stage one, the pitting stage, which means if you press your thumb down into your skin the imprint remains but then pops back up again.

I am borderline stage 2 which means I have scar tissue from all the expanding and contracting the skin has done and it causes something called fibrosis. I don't care as long as I can get the fluid moving in the right direction.

Also- it is MUCH worse in the heat and humidity!!! Don't let the sun on it too. That can cause swelling.

Dear bhull,
Just a word of caution about cornstarch. If you have a fungal dermatitis, the cornstarch can make it spread. Fungi love sugar and cornstarch is a carbohydrate. Sooo, if you use it watch the area... sigh...
Pat

Oddly enough I had poison ivy all over my lymphedema arm this week. I asked my oncologist and he really helped by giving me decadron. Predisone is good too. It worked wonders. I think it does not look like poison ivy, but you never know. Regardless you should ask your doctor and get something to help. I am sure decadron or prednisone would help. It would definitely reduce inflamation and that would reduce your chances of getting a skin break and infection. I have had cellulitis twice so you have to watch out.

This is an 11 yr old Thread that has been inactive. The only person who posted when it was active that still comes to the BCO site is Binney It is often more product give to get replies to start a new Tread rather than pulling up a long time inactive Thread.

An appt. with a Dermatologist might be a good idea to deal with the skin issue.

(Added - filling out your Profile would help with replies that are pertinent to you.)