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MandaMoo's avatar
MandaMoo
Member
15 years ago

Help with Nail Infections

I am wondering if anyone has experience with dealing with nail bed infections.  Despite doing everything to prevent nail issues - I have horrible infections now in 4 fingernails.  Apparently it is due to the taxotere which I stopped 2 months ago.  I went to a lighter colour nail polish and my nails are strong and never looked better - they were a little discoloured under the nail but strong on top.

Well, 2 weeks ago one nail started weeping - now I have 4 weeping nails despite nearly 2 weeks worth of antibiotics.  I have to dress them a couple of times daily, am soaking them in salt water and disinfecting with betadine.  I am still putting hardener and polish on the nails but they have now lifted off the beds.  There is healthy nail growing from the cuticles up about a 1/3 of the nail.  

So, any tips on how to deal with this - will they just grow out?  the rate I am going I am going to have bandages on all 10 before the end of the week.  They smell awful but the pain in the beds dissipates once the nail starts weeping and the infection is released.

Any help is very much appreciated.

Amanda xx

1 Reply

  • pisces_tas's avatar
    pisces_tas
    Member
    15 years ago

     

     i would try and keep them dry as much as possible, in between bathing and dressings.

    looks like " new " nail is growing up from the base now, so hopefully the nails will settle for you.

    i have had fungal nail infection in nails at times in the past. mostly  on the feet.

     i use a " once only "  gel from the chemist. i use it maybe once a year or twice. it cost about $28. lamosil i think it is. i had tried other things, but for me it seems the best.it is once only, and you leave it on, without washing 24 hours i think. it is a  gel, that dries to a clear finish.

      i cannot grow my nails too long; i keep them short/ medium short. i love the new summer colours in nail polish, but i think i might keep to base coat..LOL.

     i do not like the toxic fumes from polish, but i like to have a bit of strength  in my nails, that polish seems to bring. maybe i will put it on outside...if i live in a place with fresh air.

     in summer my feet can get dry also, so i use a bit of amolin baby cream on my finger nail beds, the heels and exfoliate regularly.

    i like to bathe in the sea in summer too and walk on the sand.

    good luck with getting your nails healthy again, after stopping taxotere two months ago. maybe it is a delayed process to grow out the weaker nails?

     cheers, kathy.