Cellulitis in Breast?

[Jammyjo]

Hi all,

I have suffered from lymphoedema in my arm for three years as a result of breast cancer surgery - partial mastectomy- and lymph node clearance. I think I might have acquired cellulitis in my breast. This morning I had a rash which has now developed and looks as if my breast is scalded. My husband will go to collect a two- week supply of antibiotics - when the pharmacy re-opens after lunch. I feel shivery and my temperature is 38.2. Do I take paracetamol and should I keep the sleeve on as my arm doesn’ t seem to be affected. What do I do with the breast?

Many thanks

[Lynora]

Did you have radiotherapy?

Yes, take paracetamol.

If your arm is unaffected, you could leave off the compression.

Wear light clothing/rest. If the breast is hot, put a damp towel or flannel, which has been in the fridge or freezer for a while, over the breast.

[Jammyjo in reply to Lynora]

Hi Lynora,

Yes, I had radiotherapy about 4 years ago. The arm feels a bit tight at the minute. Do I still leave off the compression sleeve? I have put Savlon on the breast this morning and now E45. I don’t know if that is the correct thing to do. I assume that I don’t do the exercises and self massage. The antibiotics the doctor gave me are Clarithromycin - only one week’s course, so I will have to get another week’s supply. Thank you very much for the advice and the tip about a damp towel.

[Lynora in reply to Jammyjo]

Give your arm a break and leave off the sleeve until the antibiotics start to do their job. Be kind to yourself - cellulitis should be taken seriously.

[Jammyjo in reply to Lynora]

Many thanks , Lynora. Will do that

[PhoenixLincs in reply to Jammyjo]

Might be worth downloading the LSN cellulitis guideline document and giving it to the dr (or emailing the link to them if you can). I just tried to paste the link here but doesn’t appear I can. I searched for it in Google though and it came up so give it a go. Also, LSN have a wonderful leaflet available

[Jammyjo in reply to PhoenixLincs]

Thank you for that info, PhoenixLincs.I will do that.

I informed my GP this morning who had a look at the breast and made another appoint for me tomorrow morning to see if there is any improvement. If not, I will be referred to hospital for intravenous antibiotics on a day procedure basis. She seems to be on the ball as she recently had a patient with the same symptoms.

[AnneBury]

lymphoedema.org

[Jammyjo in reply to AnneBury]

Thanks, AnneBury for that information. I really appreciate all the helpful advice from everyone. My temperature has gone down to 36.4, thankfully, which is an improvement.

[PhoenixLincs]

lymphoedema.org/wp-content/... Found it

[Jammyjo in reply to PhoenixLincs]

Great, PhoenixLncs. Much appreciated. Thank you.

[Perido]

Lots of good advice above. Just to add that keeping well hydrated helps everything. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[Jammyjo in reply to Perido]

Thank you, Perido. I have upped my intake of water.