Armpit rash on non-cancer side

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Cubbie2015
Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
edited February 2021 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I recently developed this weird rash in my armpit on my non-cancer side.  It's a little less than the size of a dime, so not very big, and a bit itchy off and on.  I've tried using hydrocortisone on it, but it doesn't seem to be helping any.  It doesn't seem to be spreading, either, though.  I have an appointment on Thursday for my annual mammogram and a semi-annual review with my MO.  I'm going to ask about it then, and if she isn't concerned, then I'll contact my dermatologist.  

Anything specific I should ask my MO about regarding this? I'm hoping it's just eczema or an allergic reaction.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited February 2021

    Have you tried an anti-fungal cream like that used for athlete's foot? That's my go-to on weird rashes, no matter where they are, and it's worked on all of them so far.

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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited February 2021

    No, I haven't tried an anti-fungal cream.  I didn't think of it, because I haven't had anything like that since I had athlete's foot when I was a kid.  It's worth a try, the hydrocortisone doesn't seem to be getting anywhere.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2021

    Cubbie - sounds like a skin issue to me. I'd contact your dermatologist.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited February 2021

    Glad you're at least meeting with your MO so a doc will see it soon - agree on the derm recommendation too though. I had several small rash areas on my mid- and upper chest recently. I initially was concerned. I also have eczema and started using a new cream and hair conditioner and it's winter (dry skin). So the next few days I moisturized better, switched creams and conditioners and it went away.... it's back now in one small area though I resumed the cream and hair conditioner so will have to do some trial and error.

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited February 2021

    My daughter had her armpit break out in a rash in college. The doctor said it was from her deodorant. Did you break the skin some from shaving? She gave her an antifungal cream and it cleared up.

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited February 2021

    I've had rashes on and off slightly below my armpit (both sides). My onco said probably folliculitis. I have to presume I'm sweating a lot. It comes and goes. To me, that's a good sign. Cancer rarely goes away on its own.
    I started using milk of magnesia as a deodorant (amazing!) and one side cleared up....but again, it comes and goes. I think some tops I wear may be irritating or how I sleep or who knows.

    Let us know what they say.

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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited February 2021

    Minustwo, I'll definitely call the derm tomorrow if my MO says she's not concerned. 

    LivinLife, I've had trouble with eczema too, although never in this area.  I've had problems on my back and eyelid, though.

    Flashlight, I quit shaving altogether after my cancer treatment, so it's not from that.  Since radiation I only have hair on one armpit, and I don't have much hair to begin with anyway.  It hardly seems worth it to just shave one side, and nobody but my doctors see my armpits anyway.  I did stop using my deodorant just in case.  It's the same fragrance-free and dye-free kind I've been using all along, in fact I'm near the end of the container, so I shouldn't be suddenly allergic to it.

    Wallycat, I've never heard of using Milk of Magnesia as a deodorant.  I might have to try that if the doctor says I need to stop wearing deodorant.  I only need to use it on the one armpit (the one that has the rash) since the armpit on the radiated side doesn't sweat much.  

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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited February 2021

    I had my MO appointment on Thursday. That morning when I got up, I checked my rash and it was suddenly much better. I'd been putting hydrocortisone on it for days and days, and it was not going anywhere prior to that. Go figure. Anyway, it is almost gone now. Thanks for your help, ladies!

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited February 2021

    Fantastic Cubbie! Whoa...... Was your MO able to see it at all whether added peace of mind or......?

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  • Cubbie2015
    Cubbie2015 Member Posts: 875
    edited February 2021

    My MO actually didn't look at it.  Since it was on the non-cancer side, and was looking significantly better, she wasn't too concerned, and decided to give it a couple more days.

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