Red itchy place

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Mellymc22
Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
edited May 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

hi Warriors! I feel bad about posting because I haven't been diagnosed yet but I really need some advice. I have three little kids and my health anxiety is at an all-time high. 3 days ago I noticed a tiny area about the size of an eraser and I noticed it was pretty pink with a tiny bump next to it. The whole breast has been itching on and off but not too bad. Last night the area was still the same size but started getting deeper in color and this morning I woke up and it looks like a pinhole bump with a flat raised very red area around it... Again the size of a pencil eraser head. I have not had any pain but just the itchiness and this very red place. It has not grown in size over the three days but it's definitely more red & angry looking. I have an appointment with a breast surgeon next week but I wanted to see if anybody had any similar experiences. Of course I'm worried about IBC because we had a close family friend die of that. Does this type of small red mark sound like IBC? I know that sometimes it can look like a bug bite and it first mine sort of did? It's hard to describe so I hope I've done an okay job of doing that. Again, right now the very angry red flat raised lump is the size of an eraser head and there's a small almost entry point bump next to it the size of a pinpoint. It has not been itching today but they're very redness and color concerns me. I've been putting Neosporin and Benadryl cream on it and it hasn't done anything. Does this sound like breast cancer? I'm freaking out about leaving my babies.

Thanks so much!

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Comments

  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    Whoooaaa, Nelly! Back up the wagon. You're not leaving your babies. Honestly, it sounds like a bug bite or small skin infection. IBC is very rare and is most commonly diagnosed over 60. Can you get your PCP to look at it for you? Unless you already have a reason to see a breast surgeon, that just seems like overkill to me.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Hi there!

    Thank you for your reply! As you can see, I suffer from anxiety pretty badly. I have fibrocystic breast disease so I already have a breast surgeon. I've seen her before and once I noticed this place I called to make the appointment. My mom thinks I should see a dermatologist. So thankfully I got an appointment tomorrow. I'm starting to have some shooting pains down that arm but I don't know if that's linked or not. I have pretty bad endometriosis as well so sometimes it's hard to tell with all my hormonal stuff what is normal and what is not. Of course I've never seen any sort of a bite or place on my skin anywhere like this. It's so strange that it's so very deep red and doesn't respond to any ointments. I appreciate your reply. Thanks 💗

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited May 2018

    What Mustlovepoodles said!

    Not only is IBC rare, it also flares up very quickly, sometimes within hours! Definitely see your PCP first, sounds like a bite or skin infection to me too.

    Breath easy and let us know what happens.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    Well, if it's a small abscess it's not going to respond to anything on top of the skin. Generally, an abscess has to be opened and drained so that medicated cream or an oral antibiotic can get in there and do something. I'm glad you're able to see a dermatologist so quickly. I really think they'll be able to help you.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Thank thank you so much! That makes me feel a little better. I wish it would quit itching. Also it's more on the top of my breast like outside of my bra... I don't know if that makes a difference. The size hasn't changed in 3 days so I guess that gives me a ray of Hope. The thing that scares me is how angry read it looks. I've had skin infections before but I've never seen anything like this.

    Thanks again!

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Poodles,

    Thanks. Yes I'm really hoping the dermatologist can shed some light. I've had a staph infection before but I've never had anything this red. The weird thing is the very red part is not raised at all. It's like the skin next to the little bump. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

    Thanks!

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited May 2018

    I always ask myself - if this was on my leg would I worry that I had cancer?

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    That is very that is very good advice! Honestly though... In all my weird skin ailments I have never seen a place like this so that's what makes me fear cancer 😵

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    I thought I thought I might add that I'm 37, have very lumpy breasts but I've never had any red places on them. Also all afternoon I've been having stabbing pain near my underarm shooting down my arm... I hope that's not a cancer symptom! Thank you to all you lovely ladies who have replied 💗

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    UPDATE:. Dermatologist didn't seem concerned but decided to remove it. I did NOT expect her to do that then & there!!!!! She said not infected (not sure how she knows) to just keep it clean. I asked about IBC & she didn't think so? Anyway now it itches like FIRE! Is that normal?? I'm worried she missed something. Will her shaving it off & sending it in be enough for a biopsy???

    Any answers GREATLY appreciated!!!!

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    Totally normal. All those extremely sensitive nerve endings were shaved and they're gonna let you know about it for a few days. Try ice packs to help them settle down.

    They can easily tell cancer from normal cells under a microscope. If this turns out to be cancer, they will call you back in for a more extensive biopsy.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Thank you poodles again! You made me feel a little more at ease. So they will be able to tell the different kinds of cancers from the biopsy? Sorry for all the questions but I'm very new to this. My mom did tell me she had a squamous cell removed from her arm when she was my age but I'm just confused as to how one got on my breast because the Sun never shines there 😂

    I'm glad she didn't think it was IBC but I'll still be nervous until the pathology comes in. I don't know how you girls do this waiting game!

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    They can easily tell the difference between different types of cancers under a microscope. All it takes is a tiny bit of tissue. And although you keep the area covered now, you probably had some exposure to sun on your chest in your younger years. I had a basal cell on my leg once. It was in an area that rarely sees sunlight. And yet, there it was.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Now now that I think of it... I totally went to a tanning bed in my teens. Thank you for bringing me back down to Earth again . Here's hoping it's something that easy! IBC scares the crap out of me!!!!!!!

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited May 2018

    IBC is one of the rarest of breast cancers. Symptoms worsen dramatically over hours and days. It is far more likely to be pretty much anything but IBC.

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  • wrenn
    wrenn Member Posts: 2,707
    edited May 2018

    Saying "I haven't been diagnosed YET" indicates that you expect to be diagnosed so a good place to start would be to not assume you have cancer when something comes up on your skin. Maybe talk to your doctor about this attitude and work on your anxiety. I think anxiety is a very serious issue and needs to be treated. Best to you.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Thanks poodles!

    Wrenn,

    You are definitely right about my anxiety. It comes in cycles and it gets harder for me to control. I take meds but sometimes my hormones get the best of me. I really do need to have a more positive outlook. The fear just gets inside of me and it gets harder to control. All of my grandparents have died of some kind of cancer plus aunts and uncles so I've always felt like it runs in my family. IBC scares me more than anything. I know it's rare but I have already known 2 people to die of it. Anytime I would see redness on my breast I would freak out but this is the longest it's ever stayed. I'm praying that dermatologist knew what she was doing.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Okay, it has been 8 days and I still have not heard from my biopsy. Is this common? the waiting is killing me. Now there's a small red place under my biopsy that cropped up yesterday. My husband says he thinks it's from the bandage but why would it only be under the biopsy and not above or on the sides of it? I hate the not knowing game.

    My question is, how long did it take anyone to get there biopsy results?

    Thanks ladies!

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  • DATNY
    DATNY Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2018

    For me it was the next day. Typically they just take a look and know. If there is bad news, they call you sooner rather than later. If it is normal, it could be months until you get the call. Why not call yourself to get all these behind you. Good luck!

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Datny,

    Thanks. I'm sorry it wasn't good news for you. I thought about calling today and now I wish I would have since I have to wait the weekend.

    Hopefully good news!

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    I've I've also noticed my biopsy site is more red than it was when she first shaved it. Is this normal?

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  • DATNY
    DATNY Member Posts: 358
    edited May 2018

    You are welcome. Probably the biopsy is healing. Also, did you look over all other benign breast conditions : https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317140.p...

    I think it would be very unlikely not to be called immediately if it was indeed IBC.

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Thanks datny! I'll check it out.

    I now have a small finger tip size red rash that was kind of raised last night but seems flat today underneath the biopsy. Of course my mind went to IBC and I was kind of freaking out but I guess it could be from all the bandages? I don't know why it would just be under the biopsy and not on the other three sides that the bandaid was though. Have any of you ever had this?

    Thanks!

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Hi hi ladies!

    The doctor called back finally on my results today. She said The pathology was benign. She said it showed just an inflamed area... Possibly a mole or a skin tag which I don't remember having before. My question is this... Would a shave biopsy always show inflammatory breast cancer? I just want to make sure I'm getting the correct diagnosis. She says benign so that makes me feel better but I just wondered if anyone had gotten benign results and it was actually diagnosed later on.

    Thanks 💗

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited May 2018

    Melly - IBC would become apparent in a matter of days if not hours. You would know by now. Trust in your results and go back if you notice any changes. I know the fear can hang on to you for a a bit, but I think you can trust in the benign path. Give yourself a few days ofactively putting it on the back burner and move on. I’m happy you got clear results! You should too, stop wondering, time to let go! Hugs!

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Thank you for your kind response egads! I really want to trust these results so I just need to try to relax and pray about it. My daughter's birthday is Friday and I want nothing more than to Let It Go. I'm so sick of constantly checking my breast in the mirror 🙈


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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited May 2018

    Melly - back away from the mirror lol...I know it’s tough hun, especially when you’re a mom. I was there and remember it well. You’ve got something to look forward to and work at...the Bday! Why not put all your thoughts that way...you deserve it and so does the kiddo. Choose the Let It Go path and fight your way back. Once the biopsy heals up this will be a distant memory and you’ll kick yourself for the wasted time and energy. If you can’t, don’t stew over it, go back to the doc and discuss your anxiety. No need to suffer. For tonight, shut this site down and put your feet up...glass of wine, ice cream, Netflix...just no cancer stuff, you’ve done your time girlfriend

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    You you are the sweetest! I like the way you think... Netflix and a nice drink sound good right about now. She really does deserve the best birthday and so hopefully I'm going to put all my energy into that. I'm absolutely sick of worrying about it and I honestly wish I had never heard about it through dumb Dr Google! 😑

    Thank you 💗

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  • Egads007
    Egads007 Member Posts: 1,603
    edited May 2018

    If I see you back on here tonight I’m gonna send over a big hairy brute to pull your modem out of the wall...I’ll tell him to leave the wine. LOL!!!

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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Ha! You and my husband both!

    Thanks 😘

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