Inflammatory Breast Cancer or an infection?

Hi Booper42, sorry you’re having these symptoms and the worry about what it might be. I had a skin infection a year after my diagnosis. I didn’t have the fever/ chills but just noticed the redness on a Sunday evening. Went straight to the GP on Monday morning, burst into tears as soon as I got in the room (male GP whom I’d never seen before, must have thought he’d really drawn the short straw that morning!). Anyway after I’d blurted out that I was terrified that I’d now got inflammatory breast cancer, showed him bad boob and he said he thought it was a skin infection, gave me antibiotics but also suggested I get in touch with the breast clinic. He also told me to mark the edges of the red area (not the inflamed bits!) with a pen to monitor if it was spreading. And I took photos. Thankfully it didn’t spread any further. Saw surgeon the following week, by which time it had all calmed down. I have mild lympheodema in that breast following radiotherapy, so I’m careful with moisturising and skin care as there’s a risk of cellulitis. What I can’t remember is how long it took to clear - certainly it was ‘normal’ after a week, but I’m not sure how quickly it responded. 
I’d say that if you think it’s spreading and/or isn’t improving at all, then I’d get back in touch with your GP as maybe you need a different antibiotic. And if your breast clinic appointment isn’t soon, then phone to see if you can be seen more urgently. It sounds likely to be an infection (but I’m no doctor) but you need the reassurance of being seen at the clinic where they can check all possibilities. 
Sending love and a gentle virtual hug, HFxx 

Thank you for replying Happy Feet - I have been taking a pic every morning to try and see if the redness is fading. 

I have got my consultants appointment on Monday morning and hopefully will have some answers then!

Good advice from Happyfeet about marking area.   I'm allergic to penicillin and I had an infection on my back that didn't start to reduce till second week of antibiotics.

Hi Booper42. Breast cancer and non-hodgkin lymphoma here too. You are already doing a lot of the right things, I would only add one thing -- let your haematology CNS know, just in case, and to make sure it's in their paperwork too. Not a classic B-symptom, but skin issues do sometimes need to be looked into from their perspective, so I'd let them know and if they think it's not "theirs" they'll say so. 

You haven't mentioned what type of NHL you have. Mine is a bit rare and does not have its own board on this website, so I participate here as it covers all NHLs.

I have non hodgekins follicular - stage 4 low grade. Yes, I will definitely let haematology know about it…. I have just got to get through the consultants appointment tomorrow and try and keep it together!

I saw the consultant this morning and he said that it is due to the effects of the radiotherapy and that I am likely to have more redness and burning pain in the next few months. He has ordered a mammogram for me in 2 weeks just to check k all is ok.

thank you all for your replies x

Ah that’s reassuring although of course not nice to have the burning pain. And also good that you’re having the mammogram to confirm. Xxx

Hi 

I’m post treatment 12 months had lumpectomy in one and mamoplasty  in both boobs.  Good boob has been brilliant till couple of weeks ago woke up one morning no symptoms boob was red nipple very sore (even shower hurt), didn’t think too much about it as day went on had temperature aches chills felt awful, went to see from doctor and said either mastitis or abcess gave me antibiotics and started  to clear up after a couple of days.