Can rash indicate anything?

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itfinallyhitme
itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
edited April 2017 in Lymphedema

Hello all,


Just wondering if I need to worry, or more importantly, if I can do anything. I had surgery last August with SNB, only a few nodes removed, with partial mastectomy.


Yesterday evening I noticed a red patch on that arm, a few inches over the wrist. It's not particular painful, or itchy, but persists. I don't know of anything that could have caused it. My hand might be a little swollen - I switched my ring from my other hand to that one to check and it's tighter than normal, but I can still put it on and pull it off. My fingers normally swell a tiny bit from time to time.


Is this a common indicator of anything? Thank you.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2017

    ItFinallyHit, yes, it's a possible indication of cellulitis, and because that possibility makes it an emergency you don't want to wait on this any longer. Hop on over to Urgent Care or the ER and have them check it out. Be sure to tell them about the surgery in August and that you are at risk for lymphedema, and so for cellulitis. Say it often, to everyone, repeatedly, so they'll think about it: LYMPHEDEMA; CELLULITIS. Here's information about cellulitis when we're at risk for lymphedema:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    The great thing here is, if it's cellulitis you'll be on top of it quickly, no further problem! :-) But no matter what, next week find a well-trained lymphedema therapist, get a referral to her/him from anyone on your healthcare team, and get in for baseline arm measurements, tips on lymphedema risk reduction, and post-bc treatment self-care information. Here's how to find one near you:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified...

    Do let us know what you discover. Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • itfinallyhitme
    itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
    edited April 2017

    Thank you so much, Binney.


    I went to an urgent care clinic. The doctor said she couldn't be sure if it was cellulitis, but didn't want to take chances. She thought it best to take antibiotics. I don't like to take them without good reason, but I agree this is too risky, so a good reason. I put a call into my surgeon to let him know.


    So far I had no luck getting a referral for a lymphedema specialist. Maybe I can now. There are several close to me according to that website you sent a link for.


    So thank you! Arm is bothering me a little tonight, could be muscles, I don't know. Feels just a little sore, and heavy to hold up.


    I probably would not have gone to dr for something so seemingly minor without those links you sent and your suggestion. Thank you so much

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2017

    ItFinallyHitMe, really glad to hear from you and know you've been cared for!

    Many doctors know little about lymphedema and lymphedema risk, since they consider it outside their specialty. You might be interested in this link, which is an article especially for medical professionals, written by an MD with lymphedema. There's a link to a printable version so you can share it with your team as well:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/essential%20informa...

    Heaviness and an achy feeling are often present with untreated early lymphedema, so hopefully getting a referral now will be a smooth process. Please do keep us posted.

    Hugs, and some cyber chocolate brownies coming your way!
    Binney

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  • itfinallyhitme
    itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
    edited April 2017


    Thank you! (Brownies always good, lol)

    I'm feeling better, and it's looking better. It really wasn't bad to begin with, but a persistent red rash with no known cause ... thought I should ask.

    Now that the color is returning to more normal, I see a scratch in the skin (not breaking it, just a light colored line) with one tiny point broken through in the middle of it. Right in the center of where the rash was/is. I don't know what caused it, my cat accidentally having a claw out? Brushing past a thorny weed? Sharp edge on a drawer? Whatever it was, I didn't even notice when it happened.


    We have to be THAT careful? Seriously? Forever? Yikes ... that won't be easy. I tend to get minor nicks and scratches constantly and never worried about them

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited April 2017

    Itfinallyhitme, thank goodness you acted fast. Yup a wee tiny scratch can turn into a mountain of trouble. Sometimes I don't want to stop what I'm doing and get out the antibiotic cream but I tell myself taking out time to dress a scratch is better than a week in the hospital where you can catch superbugs etc. This motivates me enough to drop my job at hand and go dress the wound even if it's a pin prick.

    Speaking of pin pricks, it's so easy to get one when cloths shopping. And sometimes the edges from a plastic tag can cut your finger.

    Yes do put antibiotic cream and bandaids in your purse. I don't know how many times I whipped them out to cover a scratch or nic while I was out shopping. My skin is thin and it tears easy.

    A antibiotic prescription kept with you at home or for travel is a smart idea.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    I keep a first ait kit in an Altoid's tin, rubberbanded closed and with me all the time. In it are a couple of individual antibiotic packets, individual Purell wipes, bandaids, aspirin, Benadril, an individual packet of 30 SPF sunblock, and a couple of single-use eyedrops. My MedicAlert # and other pertinent information are taped to the inside of the lid. This doesn't weigh a lot or take up much room.

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  • itfinallyhitme
    itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
    edited April 2017

    Wow ...


    Well, I'm glad to know these things. I've been taking minor precautions - meaning I wear gardening gloves instead of going bare-handed. I guess I see now what was behind those warnings. And since it took hours to get the prescription for anti-biotics, I'll ask about having something on hand. And put the cream and bandaids in my purse, and pay closer attention.


    The skin is barely noticeable slightly mottled today - barely pinkish. I think the area actually got larger, but it appears to be going away. My fingers aren't appreciably swollen. I'm so glad I asked.


    This week is hugely important to me, and of course no one likes to be hospitalized. Probably would delayed my surgery too. Im thankful the outcome is looking good to me, especially considering the alternative, and I'm thankful I learned something too, and not "the hard way" this time!


    Thanks again!!! :

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2017

    Hugz, good point about clothes shopping--thanks for the reminder.

    Itfinallyhitme, when lymphedema is in good control the infection risk goes down, so there's less worry. But, yeah, it's a good idea to pay attention to any skin breaks in the affected areas. A lymphedema therapist can help you get everything under control and teach you how to keep it that way. Hoping you can find one of your doctors who will get you a referral in short order--even your PCP can write it.

    Celebrating that you caught this one quickly! Hugs all around!
    Binney

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  • itfinallyhitme
    itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
    edited April 2017

    And thank you also, ksusan, for the tip!


    I'm going to try to put something like that together.


    Actually, I have a larger compartmental box for things I might need at work (I'm usually in a situation where I can't leave the room for sometimes many hours at a time), and it comes in handy to grab that when I will be away from home for too many hours. But there are things in it that I really only need periodically at work (whistle, earplugs, lol). I'd like to take about half of it with me when I'm away from home for very many hours. And then this kit as you suggest all the time. I might have to look into making nesting boxes to simplify this. At least the boxes I use are customizable inside so that's a possibility. Either that or make three boxes. I like to be fully prepared, butcarry as little as possible, lol.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    :) I also have a travel Altoids box with a disposable face mask, disposable glove, and earplugs.

    My air travel wallet includes compression sleeves and gauntlets, a rubber-palmed donning glove, compression knee highs, lip balm, an extra Fitbit battery, a protein bar, and a tiny breast milagro on the zipper pull.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    image

    image

    I should throw a couple of tamoxifens in somewhere for when my flights are delayed.

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  • itfinallyhitme
    itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
    edited April 2017

    Nice. :)

    Maybe I should start eating Altoids. ;)

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2017

    Did you know one variety of Altoids comes dipped in dark chocolate?

    Hmmm, yes!

    Binney

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    Oh, yes. Sadly, Altoids no longer makes their ginger, so I've had to switch to Newman's Own (which is organic, so there's that) for my ginger fix.

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  • itfinallyhitme
    itfinallyhitme Member Posts: 123
    edited April 2017

    Dipped in dark chocolate? Now that's more my speed, lol!

    If not Altoids, I think my friend still carries another brand at her store. It may be Newman's Own. I'd have to check.


    But ... chocolate!

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2017

    Where do you get the little antibiotic cream packets from? And the mini sunblocks?

    Everything should be available in miniature....love it!!!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2017

    Amazon, if not available locally--I think I picked one set up at Walgreens.

    Sunblock packets (there are others--you should be able to check for a formulation you like)

    Antibiotic packets (example--there are others)

    Purell wipes


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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited April 2017

    Great photos ksusan. My kit is in a small soft sided cosmetic bag. edit, adding: can you start a new thread to highlight this concept?

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