I had a mastectomy and reconstruction for invasive lobular BC at the end of January.
Since then it has been confirmed that margins were good and I do not require radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
However, my recovery was complicated by an infection in my cannula, leaking drains and issues with getting my breast wound to heal. The latter resulted in my wound needing to be dressed for a prolonged length of time, including 3 pico dressings.
Post the dressings being removed I now have a bright red rash between my breasts, which blanches to touch and has a burning sensation but not always.
I am currently on yet more antibiotics but this does not seem to be making any difference
My consultant and Macmillan both say they have not seen this before
Has anyone else suffered from this? What was the cause? And what was the treatment?
Many thanks
@harr mirming. Not sure if it’s the same thing but strangely I have a bright redness between my boobs. My mastectomy was 5 weeks ago and the redness came up maybe a week or so ago. Anyway I think it is due to the post surgery bra being too tight and irritating my skin. I have had an ultrasound and bloods and all fine and even before that thought it was my bra. I have swapped back to a back fastening bra just 36 hours ago so waiting to see if that helps any
Hope it gets better for you soon.
You too. But do let me know what they prescribe if it rumbles on a bit and I will do the same. One theory is fungal as I ended up having 3 pico dressings to get me healed.
Doesnt appear to be infection as antibiotics haven’t touched.
Onwards and upwards!
Hi, hope you are doing better now. I was just wondering did you ever get to the bottom of what was causing the rash? I’ve had redness/burning between my mastectomy site and “good” boob but the oncologist hasn’t been able to resolve it yet. I was prescribed antibiotics as at first they thought it was an infection (although bloods and temp were normal). Second cycle of chemo was delayed while waiting to finish the antibiotics but there has been little or no improvement since. I’m now thinking about allergy of some sort but not sure. Haven’t worn underwear at all for a couple of days to see if that would help and have taken some antihistamines. Due to see onco again on Tuesday. Been taking photos for comparison but no major improvement over the last 2 weeks.
@fubc mine did resolve eventually after about 6 weeks I think. My surgeon thinks it was my body getting used to the implant and mesh. Nothing helped at all it just cleared up on its own, although heat definitely made it worse
Hope that helps
Hi fubc…
I’m making progress thank you.
We ended up with two schools of thought…
- My cons view which is Red Breast Syndrome - an autoimmune immune response to the netting that holds the implant in place. He said it would fade in time.
You don’t mention a reconstruction so not sure if that would be right - From my GP who felt it looked like a candida rash and based on the fact that I had 3 pico dressings in turn and 4 sets of antibiotics which caused me to have thrush for around 6 - 8 weeks, this kinda made some sense. She prescribed flucanazole tabs (1 x 2 weeks) and application of hydrocortisone cream.
Either way the rash is fading and down to a dark shadow. So I cant say for definite if it was the GPs approach or just time, but I have cracked the thrush which is giving my body a break and I can’t think the cream did the rash any harm so might be worth trying. They can also test you for candida.
I do appreciate how uncomfortable it is and wish you all the best in getting it sorted and for the remainder of your treatment.
Thanks for this info.
I haven’t got any implant or mesh in - initially had a DIEP reconstruction which failed and had to be removed and have chosen to remain flat* for now.
Seeing a different oncologist tomorrow who will hopefully consider the alternative causes. I just want to be comfortable and I don’t want chemo to keep being delayed much longer.
*For flat the reality is lumpy and bumpy