Understanding a High White Blood Cell Count: Causes & Next Steps

Question
Face Rash around cheek and chin, treated with prednisone times two days when blood work done on day two of prednisone
White Count 17.9
Neutrophils 16844 or 94.1%
Lymphocytes 752 or 4.2%

What could be going on with me, doctor referred me to oncologist and I am terrified.

Answer
Hi Victoria.  Your white count is high, but not dramatically high.  This could many different things, cancer being a rare reason for a high white count.  The most common cause of a high white count is an infection.  Neutrophils and lymphocytes are two kinds of white blood cells.  A common cause of high neutrophil/low lymphocyte %, such as yours, is a bacterial infection.  But there are other causes.  And maybe your doctor is being cautious (which is a good thing!) in sending you to a specialist.  Don't get too worried, until you see the specialist.  It would be extremely rare for it to be cancer, if your only symptom is a rash (with the abnormal lab work).

Samantha