E45 cream

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1

I have a seroma on my chest post mx and axillary node clearance on 21 May. It is uncomfortable and causes pain. I had it drained once but it has just fillled up again and I am willing to leave it to clear on its own. I also have kind of burning sensation under my arm although no swelling. Does anyone know if it is wise to apply E45 cream to the affected area to obtain some kind of relief?

2

I don’t know about applying cream to the area but the burning pain you are experiencing is probably down to the nerves under your arm they cut through them so it will take a little time for them to repair themselves and it does ease my advice would be to phone your bc nurse she will be able to give you advice tailored to your needs, hope things improve for you very soon!!

3

Thanks loobyb for your response
I did contact my bc nurse after I posted. She was very helpful and said it was fine to apply the E45 cream to the whole area providing there was no redness and wound was healing properly. This I have done and it had a lovely cooling effect to the whole area, so I will be doing that again to get relief.

4

Hi
Just a thought if you are looking for a cooling effect Aloe Vera gel is fabulous for that and it is totally natural And even cooler if you pop it in fridge first
Good Luck x

5

Hi, yes the burning sensation is a common side affect. You may find massage gives a bit of releif - I did , but not necessarily everyone does. You should find it will disappear over time (just have to be patient, even though it’s an annoyance and uncomfortable) and it’s important to do any exercises you were given.
I had seroma cleared today (first time). It didn’t hurt and I was glad to be rid of it for a bit. The nurse did say that it can build up again, but if it’s not causing a problem not to worry too much as the body will reabsorb it over time.
I hope you start feeling some improvement soon:)

6

My scars became really itchy and red and almost a burning sensation…not on the actual line but along side. It was awful, very itchy, kept me awake all night…I could have taken a Brillo pad to them!!! GP gave me some steroid cream which helped, but it came back slightly when I stopped using it. Saw BCN and she told me to really put E45 on thickly and leave my top off as long as I could. I did and have had no probs since…

7

i used aloe Vera (98%?) to sooth radiotherapy skin burns, and it was bliss. A word of warning though - please use it on a small area first to check it is ok for you. Some people are allergic to it, which I only found out after giving it to a relative who applied it to sunburnt skin and then found she got a terrible painful rash a few hours later… I felt so bad.
Christine

8

Thanks everyone for your posts. They are very helpful. The E45 cream has helped and I do not have any burning sensations now. The fluid I had drained last time was just 90 ml. I do have swelling near the cleavage but it is possible that is scar tissue and not fluid and apparently it will heal eventually. I have had to cancel my prothesis appointment for now as my chest is nowhere near flat! Start chemo July 1st and just been told HER2+ so in for a longer journey as a year of Herceptin later. Will all become clearer when I vist my onc on Thursday. Love to all x