Hello, I had a mastectomy and lymph node removal two weeks ago . The last few days the most annoying side effect, my armpits feel quite sticky. I have regularly cleaned, tried using and not using deodorant and even moisturising cream. None of which has worked. Did anyone experience this? if so how can I get rid of it?
In case anyone comes here later, the Remove Adhesive Wipes (available Chemist Warehouse) 1-2x a day was a previous tip from my vein specialist, plus talc after cleaning worked best for me. Apparently very common from the Tegaderm/Comfeel dressings when work done in the sentinel node/axilla area.
Thanks everyone for your replies. The feeling has reduced. I tried majority of your suggestions and also found using power (not talc) helped a lot.
I too have felt that stickiness, and irritation when my armpit is in contact with my side. I have found that wearing a close fitting shirt, with close fitting sleeves, keeps my pits padded or protected, and reduces skin irritation and me noticing the stickiness so much
Is there anything sticky? Like touching it with your other hand. Or another person touching it. Or could it be your perception. There can be unusual sensations after this surgery, as some nerves can be damaged. If there is stickiness, could it be residue from any dressings.
Thanks for posting this query. I had a mastectomy and lymph node removal on left breast 1 1/2 weeks ago and experiencing exactly the same thing. Armpit and especially under the arm gets very sensitive with stabbing pains and gets a bit smelly! I've been using 'No Pong' Bicarb Free natural deodorant (also available at both Coles & Woolworths) which has helped a bit with the smell. I mentioned the pain to the surgeon who, as suggested by others in this post, takes a while to go. I'll try putting some padding under the arm and see if that helps a bit.
Hello melbgirl74,
Appreciate your sharing this - thank you. I underwent a lumpectomy and SLNB two weeks ago. I became aware of irritation in the armpit which evolved into a constant burning sensation; skin sensitivity in armpit and stabbing pains in the upper arm. I also have the sensation that the skin is sticking together in the armpit. I try to keep my underarm open and arm away from my body which I can do when I am sleeping or sitting (computer, TV etc). When I am at home, I walk around with my hand on my hip. If my arm is by my side I place a warm facewasher or folded tissues in the armpit so that the skin on both sides of my armpit are not making contact with each other. I wish I had a more sophisticated solution to offer but it is a work in progress. I plan to try a large adhesive dressing (Comfeel?) and see if it keeps the armpit skin away from irritations. I wish I had a better solution to offer. I hope that our symptoms resolve quickly and completely. With best wishes to you.
Hello,
Know how you feel after a Lumpectomy and Lymph Node removal on left side nearly 3 weeks ago. Constantly lifting my arm so its not sticking and applying moiststuriser two to three times a day now that i can actually touch the area there to see if it helps. Stabbing pains in the armpit come at odd times and occasionly inthe breast. I am applying moisturiser over all the breast to prepare for radiation treatment also. I guess this is one of the side effects.
Hello RangesWhites,
Appreciate your reply and hope that you have had some improvement. Thank you for letting me know re: use of moisturiser. I have added this to my toolkit. It did not occur to me that using this to prepare for radiation could be helpful so super grateful to you for sharing this. I will definately try this. I have developed cording so now concentrating on physio around this. Happy healing to you.
My left armpit belonged to someone else for a long time after node removal. As arpie says, surgery knocks the nerves around and it can take ages for normal feeling to return. That said, my armpit may have felt sticky but since I coud feel almost nothing, I had no way of knowing. If sensations are significantly altered, you need to be careful with things like hot wax - I could not detect hot or cold in the underarm area for many months. If your other armpit was not surgically treated, and has the same problem, the issue may be a reaction to overall surgery. It'll probably reduce but you may want to consult your surgeon or oncologist, just to be sure. Best wishes.
It can take a while melbgirl74 for your armpit to 'feel normal' again.
I didn't notice the 'sticky' bit - but the nerves have been totally disrupted, specially with the node removal (which is often higher up in the armpit area) & it can take some months for them to 'settle down', post op!
I also found that my body odour increased on the 'surgery side' compared to the other side too.
Take care & all the best
