Painful swollen area under skin in upper arm

[Eden1]

Hi I have a small swollen area under the skin in my left upper arm. The skin is red and warm and it is painful when pressed. It doesn’t feel like a hard nodule as such although I can feel a sort of a small lump under the skin - but not very defined. It almost feels and looks like a mosquito bite but no mosquitos in this weather! I was just diagnosed with sero negative arthritis about a month ago and I have been on methotrexate for over 2 weeks now. Is this likely to be related to RA or the medication -or perhaps just a bite or something else unrelated? Many thanks

[Mmrr]

Could it be a lipoma ? (A non cancerous fatty cyst)

I seem to be growing them at a great rate over the past few years

When I'm hot and bothered the cysts can be tender, when I'm on a better spell health wise they don't bother me.

If it continues to bother you it might be best to see your GP about it.

[helixhelix]

There are other things that can bite you, like spiders and ticks. Have you been walking in countryside? Also horse flies, black flies, gnats and sand flies bite all year round. If it doesn’t clear up in a day or so then show it to your GP.

[AgedCrone]

I doubt something like that would be a side effect of Mtx.

. But If it doesn’t fade away soon,I’’d show it your Rheumy nurse....just to be sure.

[Eden1 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thanks all for the replies. It has got a bit more swollen this morning so might go to GP’s although it will be to the nurse as impossible to get a GP appointment. I’m not sorted yet with a rheumy nurse as I’m still in process of getting referred to rheumatologist via NHS - I had went initially to rheumatologist privately via health insurance but that only covered a certain amount so referral now to him via NHS.

[AgedCrone]

Good idea, If the practice nurse thinks it necessary she will get a GP to look at it.

[nomoreheels]

I wouldn’t rule out mosquitos! I've been cutting down asters & I don't know how many came out of hiding whilst doing it. They've been in the kitchen too, & on the window outside, not for long though. Lots of gnats too all congregating together. It's unlikely to be a response to the MTX. I'd see what your GP makes of it.

[Hidden]

I wondered if it was an infected lymph gland. Maybe your GP could test it for you. I always worry about lymph gland swelling in that area as they can be a symptom of Breast Cancer.

[Happygranny1958]

My brother has been to see his GP today as he has something that sounds very similar, has had it for around 6 weeks now. The GP is referring him for a scan, she said it is likely to be a fatty lump but wants it checked to confirm. I think you should see your GP too. X

[Eden1 in reply to Happygranny1958]

Thanks. Went to see practice nurse. She wasn’t sure - told me to take an antihistamine and if still swollen and inflamed tomorrow to go back up and they be able to get a doc to look at it. She is not a methotrexate fan - told me all the perils and side effects of it and was saying it could be the cause.

[Happygranny1958]

I don't know if that is connected or not, my brother doesn't have R. D. and isn't on Methotrexate but does take medication for under active thyroid. Let us know how how you are tomorrow. Best wishes. X

[Troygirl]

Maybe inflamed Lymph nodes from medications, especially biologicals?

Could be a cyst?

Could be a spider bite?

Get it checked as soon as possible anyway!