Stinky fingers (nails)?

lago · January 2011

I'm on THC and some of my fingernails (and some toenails) have lifted, turned a little black, yellow brownish and/or cloudy. First my thumb started to stink and fluid started to drain.

My onc sent me to a dermatologist. He put me on an antibiotic and is treating for both staff and mercer although he believes it's staff. I'm about half way though the prescription. It was never red but many of my finger tips were swollen before they started to drain.

Now another finger started to drain and is starting to smell. Anyone else have this? Is there a way to get rid of the smelly feet type smell from my fingers?

Currently the smell are from fingers on my right hand so I can still eat my popcorn with the left. ;-)

Smile_On · January 2011

Mine aren't smelly right now at least, but I do have the lifting and a few of my fingers have a brownish color. I have been trying to be very careful with them (not picking at price tags, wearing gloves, etc) and putting lots of lotion on so that at least the skin around the nails is healthy. They are super sore if I bump them or catch them on something though. I'm excited to hear any tips. I aksed my onc. why this happened and he said it was the Taxotere.

Jenna1961 · January 2011

lago,

Penaten cream (usually for baby diapers rush) is very good for smelly/irritated skin.. I use it for the feet. It contains zinc that kills bacteria and fungus (as does baby powder too). Honey also kills bacteria and is used in some hospitals for stubborn wounds.
Do you wear icy gloves during the infusion? I know at our agency it is used in attempt to save the nerves in the fingers and toes (for those on Taxotere). Don't know whether it helps with nails though.
Jenna

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mrsnjband · January 2011

Hi Lago,

Unfortunately this is a side effect of the "T" drug you are on. Taxol or Taxotere. I was on both not at the same time. You don't say how long or if you are finished with chemo. It will get better when treatment stops. It will take awhile for them to grow back out but they will in time. NJ

lago · January 2011

Jenna, thanks, it's actually under the nail so the trick is how to get the stuff under there.

mrsnijband I have done 5 tx of Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. 1 more to go. This started on my fingers (under the nails) after tx 3. I iced my fingers during tx 5 (brought my own bag of frozen peas). I think it helped but the nails still got a bit worse just not as painful.

The dermatologist said it wasn't a fungus but a bacterial infection. I don't know… my thumb smells like smelly feet to me… that sounds like fungus.

apple · January 2011

i didn't have icy gloves during transfusions but did hold a ziploc bag of crushed ice.

good luck lago and all.

somanywomen · January 2011

lago, I don't know if this will help but I remembered that on the Dr. Oz show last week they mentioned a fungus remedy so I went back and copied the info for his Jan, 7 show..Best of luck..

Dr Oz asked whether the $5 fix for nail fungus was Lavender Oil or a nail brush. The answer is that Lavender Oil kills Nail Fungus because it has anti-fungal properties that inhibits fungus from growing. Dr Oz said to make sure that you get Lavender Essential Oil and not just the lavender scented oil. Place a few drops on the nail that has Nail Fungus and rub it in. Dr Oz did not say how often you have to apply the Lavender Oil to the Nail Fungus. However, I would suspect that you should do it several times a day, especially if you have nail fungus on your fingernails, because you wash your hands throughout the day and will wash away the Lavender Oil.

208sandy · January 2011

lago -

I had it under my big toenails - it is a bacterial infection caused by taxotere - no one told me about the ice soak at the time but they did after (soooo helpful) - anyway it requires an antibiotic and it may take more than one if it is not clearing up - you fingernails will grow back rather quickly just make sure you keep them very short after the infection goes - your nails will be very crumbly - wear gloves when doing anything around the house - the toenails well they take about two years to grow out completely - I have one that is about three months away from it. Make sure you keep seeing the dermatologist if you're still having problems - hate that you're going through this.

Hugs, Sandy

thenewme · January 2011

I wonder if soaking your hands in epsom salts or something else like tea tree oil would help? Ask your doc about these. What a frustrating problem to have on top of everything else!

lago · January 2011

Thanks Sandy. The toenail started first but I say a podiatrist for that. She cut most of my big toenail off last month. I will be seeing the dermatologist again a week from Thursday, or at least I'm going to try and make that appointment.

That's day 3 (day nuelasta kicks in) of chemo 6. Usually my wost day. I might have to cab it there and back if my friend can't drive me. I will be too spacey to ride public transportation… easy pickin's for the pick pocketers Frown

Yes these nails are crumbly and they have also lifted from the nail bed. I have a couple more days on the antibiotic. He put me on a double dose too.

208sandy · January 2011

lago -

Hate you're going through this but please know it'll get better soon. Two years out I am wearing that almost black nailpolish just like the kids (and I'm 65) - only permanent damage is vertical ridges on my finger nails - after my chemo and radiation I started taking vitamin B complex because it actually works on strengthening and growing your nails - I checked with my onc who just looked at me and then nodded - my pharmacist looked it up in her book and reported that B complex does indeed work on nails but not on hair (I used to believe it did).

lago · January 2011

Thanks Sandy but I guess since I didn't experience any nausea I get the nail thing instead. I did buy the black nail polish but waiting till after chemo to use it. I'm 49 almost 50. I used to look like I was in my early 40's but the chemo has dried my skin so much. I'm starting to get wrinkles around my chin/mouth. Seems it showed up just last week. So I might not be able to pull off the black either. Frown

Stinky fingers (nails)?

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