Swollen Itchy armpit

Had a pacemaker put in December 10th. Since then things are better ( finally, it was a slow recovery for me). However the skin area between and just inside my left armpit right next to the pacer site is still somewhat swollen and it gets pretty itchy from time to time. It seems to get worse after there is friction, say from tighter fitting arm holes in my tops. The itching is more surface itch on the skin. There's no bump and not really any pain but it does feel a little tighter and more tender in that area then the other arm. My cardiologist thinks maybe it's from the healing in the pocket area. Maybe the scar tissue from the pocket site. She didn't seem that confident in that answer though. She seemed kind of puzzled. Has anyone else experienced this after surgery?

4 Comments

Itchy arm pit

by trish - 2014-03-10 06:03:12

I am 8 weeks post implant and have itchy underarm on side of pm occasionally used OTC cortisone cream with great relief. Trisha

Itching is common

by Jonny - 2014-03-10 09:03:06

Think if you check back on previous posts you will find that many of us getting itching in the PM area quite often. I do 7 months down the line often after a shower and again when when I relax in the evening. I look on it as a minor side effect that certainly does no harm. John

TRy several years...

by donr - 2014-03-10 10:03:18

...for itching. Especially when it's hot & humid & you perspire like a pig.

As long as it does not continually break out in a rash or give you the ant bites or pins & needles effect, you are riding a good horse.

Perhaps Grateful Heart will wander by today & tell you her tale of irritation & itching.
Don

DVT?

by NiceNiecey - 2014-03-10 11:03:09

Two weeks after PM placement, my armpit on the left side was just a bit sore. No redness and maybe just a bit of swelling but I couldn't really tell. Ultimately, I went to the ER because it didn't go away and it turned out to be a blood clot. I had been taking aspirin before that happened but was then switched to a more potent blood thinner to dissolve the thing.

From the moment they implanted the PM, I kept active and moving - including my left arm.

I know it's been a while since you got your PM but it might be worth having an ultrasound just to be sure it isn't a DVT.

Niecey

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