Rash....freaking out!
 

Hello all,
Today when I got out of the shower, I noticed a rash along the area of my bra band and in between my breasts....it looks just like heat rash with tiny little red dots all over. It literally just appeared out of nowhere! Of course, I'm freaked out that it could be skin mets. Does anyone know if this is what skin mets looks like?? I also just had Herceptin two days ago...could it be a reaction to that? I only have 5 Herceptin left...can't imagine I would start to have a reaction now. Any thoughts??

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

GQMom - there is probably no way you're going to relax until you find out for sure what is causing the rash. More often than not - a rash is just a rash - but we have to be more vigilant than most people. My surgeon and the nurses at the cancer where I had treatments told me -whenever I expressed anxiety about something that would have been easily dismissed before I was diagnosed - be vigilant. Always watch and never ignore something that worries you. So go tomorrow and get it checked and catch up on that sleep tomorrow night. And many of the pre-meds and Herceptin can have cumulative effects that start to show up after several treatments. Good luck and keep us posted.

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

I totally agree with Joni. Get it checked if it worries you. Biopsy is the only way to confirm whether or not it is skin mets. I waited one month when the red blotch/patch on my cancer breast got worse and was told i have a recurrence. Hopefully yours is nothing serious and it is not skin mets !

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

Considering the location you describe, it sounds like it follows the pattern of your bra. Is it a new bra? Have you changed detergents or laundry products? It could very well be a contact dermatitis. Sometimes the simpliest explaination is the best. Of course, have it checked out for your peace of mind. But try not to get ahead of yourself and worry prematurely. Keep the faith.

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

I had something like that... also on my legs. Turned out to be a rash called PETECHIAE. Nothing serious. Have your Oncologist take a look at it ;)

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

Same thing happened to me - same look (little red dots) under my affected breast and in between. I just about freaked too but it was just prickly heat or an allergic reaction or something.

I showed my onc and he said it was "nothing" even though I thought I was gonna die.

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

You might want to get it checked out by your doctor just to be sure it is not something to worry about.
However, that said I see you are taking Taxol. Look up the Taxol side effects and see if rash is on the list. It might not even be an allergic reaction. It might just be that the Taxol is getting everywhere, including the skin looking for cancer cells to kill. That would be a good thing even thought it is annoying and worrisome.
Take good care of yourself.

Re: Rash....freaking out!
 

Same thing here during Herceptin developed a horrible rash on my face. For some people Herceptin does cause rash. They gave me antibiotics. Talk w/your oncologist and make sure though. GOOD LUCK