Forum Discussion
Red swollen painful toenail
I have recently been diagnosed with IDC - stage 1, Grade 2 Oestrogen +/ PR- / HER+ breast cancer. I have had a lumpectomy. I am undergoing weekly chemo with Paclitaxel with three weekly Herceptin. I have just had my 5th dose of Paclitaxel.
Today my big toe nail is red, painful and swollen. Has anyone had similar issues, is this a side effect of chemo, does anyone know of any cream to apply. Should I be speaking to my Onco.
9 Replies
- Hi poodlejules
Good to know your big toe pain was resolved with anti inflammatories, I will keep that in mind if I have this issue again. - Hi @PV123 . I had a swollen and painful big toe about 2 weeks after my BC diagnosis. I had a scan, saw a podiatrist and discovered I have 2 extra sesamoids (tiny little foot bones) :) but apart from that my doctor explained that cancer can sometimes do weird things to your body. So I just had to ice and rest it and took some anti inflammatories and it went away.
All the best , hope it improves! - Thank you kezmusic, I shall definitely try that. Manuka honey helped, the toe is no longer swollen and red. I am a big fan of Manuka honey for any skin issues.I saw the GP who was not sure if it is due to paclitaxel, she suggested taking an antibiotic. I will check with the Onco next week as well.
- Ouch that's awful. Try painting your nails with a deep coloured gel nail polish as well. My chemo nurses advised this and it worked a treat.
- Shame. Yep, Definitely get it checked out, it could be infected (hopefully not.)
- I ended up with blisters under my toenails. The Onco had never heard of it before but a quick look on an American forum showed me it is a ‘thing’ that does happen.
- Thanks Afraser and shs14.
I actually started the cold therapy for the first time with my 5th dose of Paclitaxel. My toenail started hurting on the same day, I am sure the two are not related because the cold therapy is meant to help with all these issues. I applied Manuka honey to the toe which took away the pain but I am still going to see the GP today. - Hi @PV123 There is some evidence that cold therapy can help with nails and neuropathy during Paclitaxel chemotherapy. There is a post in this discussion thread which tells how people do it. Its basically icing your hands and feet during the infusion. I had sore thumbnails the one time I didn't ice properly but after that I did and it went away. Perhaps that might help. Good luck.
- Nail problems (discolouration and lifting) are common with Paclitaxel but the swelling and pain are less common. Best to get it checked.
