Can skin mets appear in the arm first?

[bejuce]

I just noticed a pretty extensive rash on my right arm. It has small red bumps on it and has some flat areas as well. I only noticed it now. There's nothing in my chest area, just in the arm (cancerous side). Should I wait it out a couple of days or get it looked at right away?

Thanks!!!

[CoolBreeze]

I'd wait a couple days. I have had a rash and it turned out to be excema, which I'd never had before. I guess it was stress because it went away and didn't return.

Skin mets are rare, and almost always appears on the chest. A few days won't hurt.

Feel better!

[bejuce]

Thanks!! It's a large area under my upper right arm between my elbow and armpit. I'm praying that it's just a rash or some kind of cellulitis. I was in a very hot tub on Saturday and Sunday and probably caught a bacterial infection or something. I should have known better - I don't remember hearing that hot tubs are a big no-no
for those at risk of lymphedema.

Either way, my hubby is freaking out so I'll call the docs first thing tomorrow morning. I'll post an update here.

Thanks!!!

Marcia

btw, I read about your infection you caught at UCSF and I was shocked
at the severity of it. I'm happy for you that it turned out ok and you're now getting better.

[StephN]

Dear Marcia -
Keep a close watch and maybe even have your hubby take a photo of that rash every day to have a record.
I have a friend who had skin mets first appear on her arm. She had a biopsy and that confirmed it. I don't think it was the underside in her case - more on the upper area past the elbow. But it was very hard to control once it got started.

I hope it is just something from the hot tub, but be vigilent!

[Ellie F]

Hi Marcia
Sorry you are having this worry. Just to reiterate that my physiotherapist who specialises in lymphoedema says hot tubs are definitely OUT, not only due to risk of infection but that they may 'trigger' inflammation leading to lymphoedema.
Ellie

[CoolBreeze]

It's probably from the hot tub. But, it doesn't hurt to call your doctor.

And, I did have a massive infection that almost killed me - but I waited two days to call the doctor. I lived! But, it probably wasn't smart. I always go by the "three day rule." If whatever is bugging you is still bugging you in three days, let your doctor know. for us, it's so hard to tell what is really something and what is just weird body stuff.. lol.

[bejuce]

Thanks, ladies! I applied Cortisone cream to the large area and took a pill of Cephalexin that I had in the house from a prescription that my oncologist had given me at my previous skin met scare over the summer. I could only fall asleep after 1 am, and at 5 am I woke up with a painful arm and some cold chills. The area looked better this morning.

I called the cancer center and spoke to the nurse who told me it's most likely an infection given my hot tub use, the fact that the area was warm to the touch, my cold chills, the area getting better with the antibiotic, and the low likelihood of having skin mets appear so sudden in a large area under the arm.

I have a previously scheduled check-up appt with my oncologist on Friday so I'll see what happens between now and then. Meanwhile, I'll continue taking the antibiotic which I'm so thankful for having around.

So scary to have this from a hot tub! Again, I should have known better. My husband was totally freaking out and even cried a bit - I think he was convinced it was mets after the pictures he saw online. He calmed down after I mentioned the hot tub link. We were both laying there late at night in bed with our respective phones reading about all sorts of things online and bouncing ideas off of each other. Something my doctors and nurses have told me repeatedly to avoid, but I just can't help it.

I'm so beyond thankful for this group and community. I know I can come here with any question/fear/concern and someone will tell me whether it's baseless or not.

So again, thank you!!! I'll post an update after my appt on Friday.