Toenail fungus? Or just nailbed changes from chemo

Northwoodsgirl

On another posting I noticed that SaltyCandy13 had to pay $1000 out of pocket for an antifungal prescription for her toenail fungus. A while back I went to a podiatrist because I thought I may have gotten a nail infection from pedicures. I expected to be told that I needed to take an oral antifungal medication which is hard on your liver and  kidneys. The podiatrist told me to apply Vick’s Vapo Rub to my nails and put on a sock at night. I was told that if I did that (if I actually had a fungal nail infection ) there was about a 40-50% chance it would be cured in about 6-8 weeks. He then handed me a journal article about it.

Needless to say- the white horizontal lines on some of my toenails were just a nailbed reaction to nail polish that happens sometimes to people who have had chemo. The podiatrist also told me that the insurance company likely wouldn’t cover the antifungal.

He also told me that the over-the-counter creams don’t work. He said that there are products available that if you read the label the product isn’t even labeled to treat nail fungus but rather it is promoted for athletes foot. Then I talked to a neighbor and she also had been told to use Vick’s Vapor Rub. She said her nails never looked better! As we know Tea Tree oil is sometimes used also. Must be the menthol or something that creates an unfriendly environment for fungus. This advice only cost me $258 out-of-pocket. I didn’t even have a nail infection. The podiatrist said nail salons are more likely to be a source of athletes foot rather than nail fungus. 

I still get pedicures! 

EZLiving66

During chemo, my finger and

During chemo, my finger and toenails started to look funny. Within three months all my fingernails fell off and a couple of months later my toenails came off - my big toenail on my left foot even fell off twice! When they came back,  they are permanently weird looking. My oncologist's PA told me it's a rare side effect but it does happen. It was a real bummer LOL!

Love, 

Eldri 

Northwoodsgirl

EZLiving66 said:

During chemo, my finger and

During chemo, my finger and toenails started to look funny. Within three months all my fingernails fell off and a couple of months later my toenails came off - my big toenail on my left foot even fell off twice! When they came back,  they are permanently weird looking. My oncologist's PA told me it's a rare side effect but it does happen. It was a real bummer LOL!

Love, 

Eldri 

Chemo nails

Oh no! Sure sounds like it was painful experience. Glad your nailbeds grew nails again. Our nails tell a lot about our health- just like our skin and hair. I recall a time when no one was suppose to wear nail polish if going into surgery. I had a pedicure before my hysterectomy. Just one small thing to feel like a woman. 

janaes

Wow! Ive never heard of chemo

Wow! Ive never heard of chemo giving fungus. But i sure have that problem. Ive heard the same things from doctors. I couldntvget a perscription and was also told over the counter stuff doesnt work.  Im going to have to try the vicks vapor rub.

EZLiving66

I wonder if I'd have tried

I wonder if I'd have tried the Vicks, they wouldn't have fallen off??

Love, 

Eldri 

Northwoodsgirl

Nails

Eldri, Its like who would have thought that you would lose nails from chemo but I think they have pretty fast cell turnover so probably sucked up the chemo fast. Just think someday there will be more targeted chemo and not systemic chemo. I read an article recently where a scientist is looking at putting chemo on a 3D printed accordion like structure that would emit chemo only around a specific target. Voila! No funky side effect on hair or nails or our kidneys and other vital organs. 

Lori

Moped7946

Organic Oregano Oil for fungal infections on nails

It is actually pretty cheap compared to pharmaceutical stuff but it seems to help...it all takes a LONG time...at least it isn't going to screw with your liver and it smells intersting. My toenails look WAY better from using this stuff.

Northwoodsgirl

Oregano oil for nailbeds

Good to know that organic oregano oil may also fight nail fungal infection. The Podiatrists don’t want to prescribe the meds that are so hard on the liver. 

Lori

Moped7946

Northwoodsgirl said:

Oregano oil for nailbeds

Good to know that organic oregano oil may also fight nail fungal infection. The Podiatrists don’t want to prescribe the meds that are so hard on the liver. 

Lori

Northwoodsgirl I couldn't get any of that other stuff

because my blood counts were all wonky. Not sure what they are now but I like the stuff I am using.