For the past 12 days I have had a brown bruise on my left breast. I thought it may be a hickey so I messaged it hoping to get the blood flowing, the color became darker. After a week I started icing it, but then did research online that heat would work better. For the past 2 days I have been applying a heating pad, but it doesn't seem to be changing in size. The color is fading a bit, but the skin on the buise is starting to peel. My nipple has also been sore for the past week, but could this be from the icing and then heating pad? Could this be IBC?
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7/16/09 6:21pm
Hard to say. The peeling could be from the icing and heating, as could the sore nipple. As for the original dark mark - that's puzzling. I'd watch your symptoms for another few days; if the bruise contines to fade and nothing seems to be worsening, then I guess you just write it off to a strange skin thing. If it doesn't fade, or seems to get worse, then best to see a doctor. Good luck - PJH
7/16/09 7:06pm
I agree with PJ that the skin peeling might well be from the heat and ice. A "bruise" that doesn't heal is one symptom of inflammatory breast cancer. Usually other symptoms such as swelling, warmth, and skin dimpling would also be present as well. If you are not seeing improvement, I would suggest seeing a doctor. Probably it will turn out to be something that isn't dangerous, but most bruises are gone or almost gone after 12 days.
7/16/09 11:56pm
Thank you for your response. I am worried that this could be IBC since the bruise does not seem to be going away. I have made a doctors appointment. I have not had any other symptoms except for itching the first day or two after, but that may have been because I was in the sun the day before I noticed the bruise. And my breast was swollen for a week after, but since I iced it the swelling seems to be gone.
7/17/09 7:37am
Usually IBC symptoms would not get better, so the fact that the swelling is down is a good sign. I'm glad you will be seeing the doctor. You'll feel better once you know what this is.
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By BruisednPeeling— Last Modified: 12/22/10, First Published: 07/16/09
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Thank you for your reply. I have made an appointment to see a doctor next week. Like I said, it's been 12 days now and I'm a bit worried. I think the color has faded some, but I saw my boyfriend for the first time in 5 days today and he thinks the color is the same. I was wondering about the itching when it comes to IBC? I think I remember my breast itching the first day or two after I noticed the bruise, but it hasn't since. It could be because I was out in the sun the day before I got the bruise. Is the itching that you expierence with IBC somthing that would go away? Also, my breast was swollen for the first week after I noticed the bruise, but once I iced it the swelling went away.