Is a rash after a lumpectomy normal?

Posted by tculton @tculton, Aug 29, 2023

Sorry if i have posted a few to many post. I really dont know how these boards work, and i have so many question... But is a rash after a lumpectomy normal? Im waiting to hear from my doc. its been 2 weeks since i had surgery with no complications, but now i have a straight line rash about 1-1 1/2 long and maybe 1/2in in width, its itchy as all get out. and i did have alot of inflammation in my needle biopsy.. could this my IBC??? ive had surgery before and never developed a rash, and it being the 2 week mark i wouldnt think i would be getting one this late in the healing process....

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You should see your doctor. I had something similar. It was a seroma and I needed a procedure to drain it.

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Where is the rash? Is it near the incision? When I had my lumpectomy and reduction both of my breasts felt like they had prickly heat. Every bra and top I put on felt like sandpaper next to my breast from super soft cotton to silk nothing felt good. That prickly sensation finally resolved but it lasted nearly 3 months. And even still it's been 4.5 months and my one nipple still itches like crazy.

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@cjs123172

You should see your doctor. I had something similar. It was a seroma and I needed a procedure to drain it.

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I have a appointment tomorrow for a follow up, I did have fluid last week. I was not told that would happen or could. nothing like hearing your breast growl at you, or slashes around like a snow globe. Let along sounding like a hollow tree when i scratch it. but the fluid has gone down. so i hope i dont need to have it drained if that is it. It looks like carpet burn...

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@frogjumper

Where is the rash? Is it near the incision? When I had my lumpectomy and reduction both of my breasts felt like they had prickly heat. Every bra and top I put on felt like sandpaper next to my breast from super soft cotton to silk nothing felt good. That prickly sensation finally resolved but it lasted nearly 3 months. And even still it's been 4.5 months and my one nipple still itches like crazy.

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my rash is near my incision, it doesn't feel hot. It does sting somewhat and its very itchy. but when i touch it a small sting is there. it has gotten shorter but its going on 4 or so days now. did you find out why you had so much discomfort?

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If you need it drained, ask for a numbing shot beforehand. I saw my surgeon, who could either drain it quickly (she was between appointments) or delay it for a day or so when she had more time. I had it drained quickly without any numbing shot. It wasn’t horrible, but if I needed it again, I would go for the numbing shot beforehand.

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Around two weeks after my lumpectomy I also had a rash in two different areas on my breast around the incisions. My breast surgeon said it was a delayed reaction from the soap that they use at the time of surgery. I was told to use use hydrocortisone, Aquaphor and did not wear a bra when able and it was better within about a week. Hope this helps!

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@angelat

Around two weeks after my lumpectomy I also had a rash in two different areas on my breast around the incisions. My breast surgeon said it was a delayed reaction from the soap that they use at the time of surgery. I was told to use use hydrocortisone, Aquaphor and did not wear a bra when able and it was better within about a week. Hope this helps!

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it does! thank you!

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I had a similar reaction after a mole removal surgery. It was determined that I’m allergic to certain sutures. Benadryl and cortisone cream worked for me. You should see your doctor, though, just in case it’s something other than an allergic reaction.

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@tculton this topic is definitely one worth starting! Thank you. If you would like to find others with your similar questions and get support from others like you. Without always starting a whole new discussion that others might or might not find, you can look for ongoing discussions to join. Do this by scrolling up and right above your discussion on the left you will see < breast cancer.
If you click on that it will bring up a list of ongoing discussions. There are pages and pages of them, I am sure you will want to jump in and join some of them. 😘

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@tculton

my rash is near my incision, it doesn't feel hot. It does sting somewhat and its very itchy. but when i touch it a small sting is there. it has gotten shorter but its going on 4 or so days now. did you find out why you had so much discomfort?

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From what I could tell it was nerve damage and when you think about it, surgery is very traumatic for our bodies. Mine was never a rash, if it were me I'd want to talk to my surgeon, just to be on the safe side they might be able to give you something for the itching and also to make sure it does not get infected.

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