Handhold please, redness rapidly spreading in breast

[Maya899]

Sorry to post again about my health.

Last few days I've had a very itchy breast, so much so while out I've had to go to the bathroom to itch it. My nipple then got very sore to even brush against it, although that part hasn't been itchy. Then last night I noticed a lump under my areola and it was very red. Now this morning I have checked it again and the redness has spread about a quarter of a way up my breast overnight. I have rung the GP and am waiting to hear from them. I am not breastfeeding and I foolishly googled and am terrified. Has this happened to anyone else and it not been sinister?

It could be a breast infection, even though you're not breastfeeding. I've not got experience and aren't an expert, but wouldn't think something sinister would come on quite as fast? I hope your mind is set at rest soon.

It sounds like you really need to be seen. I would request an urgent appointment or go to A&E.

Get it checked out. I don’t want to freak you out but inflammatory breast cancer presents very much like mastitis and is very often misdiagnosed. I really hope it is something trivial but do not be fobbed off, it is a rare and very aggressive cancer so needs to be dealt with fast. One of the main signs is what they call “peu d’orange” which is when your breast has that orange peel look. I had some itching that I thought was an insect bite which is another sign. Please come back and tell us it was nothing!

I got a breast infection and I wasn't breastfeeding so I know exactly which articles you've read and why you're panicking as I read the same ones. I won't tell you to not read them (cause it wouldn't stop you) but please take a little comfort from the fact I've been exactly where you are and it wasn't the worst case scenario.

It's most likely to be an infection but the GP needs to see it asap. If you don't hear back today, please call 111 as any spreading redness needs checked.

Oh and while you are waiting to be seen, get a pen and draw around the redness (sharpie works well) with a note of the time. This will help any medical bod see the pace of spread. I built up quite a collection of sharpies just got this reason.

Thank you all so much 💐

I'm still waiting for a call back.

I've seen the GP. They gave me antibiotics and if it gets worse to let them know. I'm not reassured really but I'll see how it is after the course in 5 days.

Mine does this when I have an abscess.

@Maya899 just wondering how you are doing?

Thanks for asking @Flatandhappy

I still have the lump and my breast feels like it's a bit bigger then the other one. My other breast used to be the slightly larger one and now it's the opposite, although a little bit bigger than that. Obviously I can certainly tell but whether you can see it or not I'm not sure.

I'm actually seeing the GP today for a different reason but I'm definitely going to ask her to take a look as it hasn't gone away. I think I 'm going to push for a referral too.

Definitely raise this today. Good luck.

Just an update, the GP is referring to the breast clinic urgently. Does anyone know how long this wait might be? I'm in Wales.

In most places the goal is to see you within two weeks.

My friend had this (long past breast feeding stage). She ended up being admitted to hospital as she needed much stronger antibiotics and anti inflammatories than could be administered as an outpatient.

Absolutely fine afterwards. I'd be tempted to give the breast clinic a call, ask if they've got your referral and beg for an early appointment.

All the best, OP.

I will give them a ring tomorrow and ask, hopefully the GP would have referred by then.

Thanks so much.

I really hope everything's OK.

Great you have the referral and hopefully your wait isn’t too long. Keep us posted.

Sounds like when I had an abscess in my breast. I had to have it cut out under GA after two lots of ABs did nothing.

I've had cellulitis and lymphoedema in my breast (caused by radiotherapy) and it sounds similar, mine was very big and red and lumpy. Definitely needs to be seen at a breast clinic.

I'm in Wales the second time I had this was referred it took two weeks. I'm to wear a bra day and night to support my boobs. I did have mastitis after last baby which damaged my ducts and have calcification. So nothing sinister. Good luck @Maya899

@Maya899 have you managed to be seen yet? Sorry, not being creepy but this thread is on my watch list and I would love to hear that all is well with you.

Thanks for asking @Flatandhappy
I have my appointment this coming Monday, it's been an anxious wait.

Gosh, wait times are really shit in the UK 😐 Hopefully it’s because they are not seeing anything they feel is urgent but it is really important not to be fobbed off. Good luck and let us know how you go x

Thank you @Flatandhappy I will do!

Hi OP,

Last Christmas I started to get an itchy, tingly feeling on the underside of one of my breasts and it also felt like the discomfort was spreading to nipple. As the days progressed I noticed a small firm lump appear, followed by redness appearing and an obvious general appearance of that breast looking bigger than the other.

I went to see my GP who examined me and confirmed she could see the swelling (as well as the lump and redness) but she also felt confident that it wasn’t anything sinister. Her opinion was based on the fact that my the red skin was tender to the touch and I was flinching when she was examining the lump etc and she said that most sinister lumps tend not to cause pain or discomfort.

She thought I had an infected node or a cyst and put me on flucloxacillin for a week and told me to go back and see her after the course of treatment. The antibiotics made no difference and none of my symptoms eased during that week and so I was obviously terrified when I went back to see the GP.

I was referred to see a breast consultant (on the two week pathway) in order to have an examination and an ultrasound scan and my appointment was about 9 days later.

Surprisingly, by the time those 9 days were up my symptoms had actually eased a little, the lump looked smaller, the redness had faded a little and my breasts looked more equal in size.

I saw a Nurse Specialist who took the history and did her own examination who also said she wasn’t concerned. I then went to have an USS and nothing strange was seen in the breast at all except some evidence of a possible previous cyst and I was allowed to go home straight from the scanning room. I didn’t even have to go and see the consultant as the nurse and radiographers were happy that there was nothing to be worried about.

Over the following days my symptoms continued to ease and within a month of first seeing the GP everything had returned to normal and it has never happened again.

I know how scared and anxious you must be feeling, I spent many a day in tears wondering how I was going to tell my young children that I had breast cancer and that I was going to die etc, I was genuinely terrified.

Most breast lumps and breast changes turn out to be innocent and I know that won’t reduce your anxiety, but it is at least a fact that you can hang on to.

The best of luck with your appointment.