POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: tednlou2 on May 01, 2013, 01:37:05 am
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David whined so much about his jacked up foot. I'm so much worse off. Oh, cannot forget about Wolfie's foot. I think I will require a hot, home nurse over this. Does this qualify for the support group? Ok, I'm kidding, obviously. They both had bad injuries, for those who don't know. But, this did gross me out a little. I'm curious how many of you have issues with nail fungus? Do you think HIV plays a huge role, and is it saying anything about the state of your immune system? I mowed the hard today. I noticed my big toenail was looking especially yellow and like something was under the nail. I pushed on it and this lotion looking stuff came out.
I use to have beautiful toes and nails. My nails were smooth and shiny, just like my finger nails. But, over the last few years, I noticed a yellowish color to the nails. And, flaky nails. My right foot is worse than the left. You can especially see it in the sun. That is why I rarely go without shoes. It is embarrassing.
I was just about to start the Vick's Vapo-Rub therapy. I've had so many tell me that really works, but you have to do it everyday for several months or even a year. The nail is loose, so I think I will lose it. This is the same nail I lost a few years ago. We were out on the jet skis and I was wearing those water shoes. I banged my toe on concrete. It turned black and fell off.
With the yellow color, some were asking whether something was wrong with my immune system, or whether I had diabetes. I always answered that millions of people, especially men, have fungal issues with their feet. All the while, I noticed they all had shiny, smooth nails. I have read HIV can be a big factor. They say a suppressed immune system has a hard time keeping the fungus in check, just like with other fungal issues with the virus. Many sites say a fungal infection on your toenails could actually spread into the bloodstream, especially in those with AIDS or diabetes. On the other hand, this does happen to many neg men. I do wear shoes almost all day long. And, I often sleep in my socks. So, my toes never air out. So, I've contributed to this. Is this something to see a doc over? I've heard others say they just want to prescribe those meds, which don't work all that well and can be hard on the liver.
For those who've had it, have you had success with certain treatments? Rubbing alcohol? Vick's? Lotrimin? I get cracked corners of my mouth sometimes, which is fungal. Lotrimin always worked fast on that.
So here is the pic. It isn't very attractive. You can see why I don't like to go barefoot. You can see that besides being yellow, there is a collection of that goo under the nail. Every time you think of me, you will now see this ugly toe in your mind.
(http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv22/tedunk/20130430_155821_zpsa8fdf880.jpg)
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I had intraconzole oral solution for a year for my full blown OI cause by fungal..all my nails on the right feet started become flakey one year before my DX... Now my nails are all back to normal..
Chris
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Honey I love you, but this is nothing compared to the multiple surgeries and crippling problems Miss P has overcome.
Not even the fuck close.
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Yellow toe nails can be an indication of serious underling health conditions so I would get it checked out ASAP .
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Tedderz, go see a doctor -- preferably a podiatrist. I'm sure Miss P can give you a reference. ;)
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I don't understand why you haven't treated this problem much sooner. Your nail shows almost a year of growth that is all yellowed and you wait until it oozes puss to ask if you should do something? I'd start with your HIV doc, as you will probably need some form of treatment to get this under control. Don't wait Ted, take care of this now. You are far too young to ignore these issues if you expect to live to be an old geezer with HIV. 8)
Joe
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Honey I love you, but this is nothing compared to the multiple surgeries and crippling problems Miss P has overcome.
Not even the fuck close.
Come on now. Your response is like I was serious.
Thanks for the replies. I noticed they were yellowing for a while now, but the doc in the family and others said docs mainly prescribe those meds that don't work all that well and can be hard on the liver. So, I thought I would just have ugly looking nails. I will see the doc. I never imagined this would happen. I am actually hoping the nail falls off, because I've been reading how difficult it is to treat.
As I said, I wear shoes all day and often sleep in my socks. I jump into the shower and then socks and shoes right back on. So, I didn't spend much time inspecting them. Is this something to make an appointment ASAP? Can a fungal infection on your toe turn into something serious? Are those sites about getting into the bloodstream correct? In any event, I am calling to make an appointment now.
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Come on now. Your response is like I was serious.
Thanks for the replies. I noticed they were yellowing for a while now, but the doc in the family and others said docs mainly prescribe those meds that don't work all that well and can be hard on the liver. So, I thought I would just have ugly looking nails. I will see the doc. I never imagined this would happen. I am actually hoping the nail falls off, because I've been reading how difficult it is to treat.
As I said, I wear shoes all day and often sleep in my socks. I jump into the shower and then socks and shoes right back on. So, I didn't spend much time inspecting them. Is this something to make an appointment ASAP? Can a fungal infection on your toe turn into something serious? Are those sites about getting into the bloodstream correct? In any event, I am calling to make an appointment now.
Hey Ted,
Talk with your doctor about this. I had the same problem and took an anti-fungal med for about six months and it all cleared. I didn't have any problems with the medication and there are various treatments. You really want to take care of this, because yes it can infect other parts of your body and puss is your body's way of telling you to get the hell to a doctor and get treated.
Joe
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They are right Ted , its not likely to get better without treatment and you cant afford to let an infection linger .
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I've had toe nail fungus for 8 or 9 years, basically splitting of the big toe nail and some yellowing. Recently, I decided to do something about it. Asked my doc. He had had it, too. On a script for terbinafine. Takes a long time to clear. But about a 3rd of the toe nail growing out looks fine, now. No idea whether or not this is related to HIV or not.
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Tedderz, go see a doctor -- preferably a podiatrist. I'm sure Miss P can give you a reference. ;)
I think Theodoro goes to a Univ. Medical Center so surely they have a podiatry section -- just go Theo -- shit or get off the pot. It's nothing to do with HIV.
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I had this problem with my left big toe. Went to podiatrist and he removed most of the nail and was put on lamisil tablets for about six months. Three months on and 3 month break, then last 3 months. You need to have a liver test because they can hurt your liver. Mine was before my hiv diagnosis
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As I said, I wear shoes all day and often sleep in my socks. I jump into the shower and then socks and shoes right back on.
I'll admit I know zilch about this, but shouldn't you let your toes breathe a bit to avoid fungus or at least help it get better? It just seems like always having your toes covered and not letting them get any air is not a good thing.
Socks while sleeping? Even in summer? come on.
Anyways, I hope it gets better soon Teddy.
-W
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http://www.footdoctorspsc.com/
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I'll admit I know zilch about this, but shouldn't you let your toes breathe a bit to avoid fungus or at least help it get better? It just seems like always having your toes covered and not letting them get any air is not a good thing.
Socks while sleeping? Even in summer? come on.
Anyways, I hope it gets better soon Teddy.
-W
I know. I need to let the dogs get some air. I've been doing that. I've also been blow drying my toes after showering and at night. I've been putting Lotrimin on it, too. So far, no more gunk. The nail is loose, because I can press down on it after a shower and water will come out. We have been doing work to our pond. With this issue, I felt it was a good idea to not go into the pond to do work, as I would have before. I don't need some parasite or bacteria getting in there. It has me thinking I should avoid bodies of water, and even swimming pools for now.
Miss P, thanks for the doc link. I called my HIV doc and they said they would get back to me. I have usually used the medical offices at the university where the HIV clinic is, because every medical practice there has access to all my records. But, I do have insurance and can go anywhere, so I was just thinking I would make my own appointment myself at a private practice.
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maybe a 1hour footbath daily with Potassium permanganate or saturated Dead Sea salt solution can help, at least it disinfects very well.
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Sorry, but that looks nasteh, Ted. Get it checked ASAP.
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I had intraconzole oral solution for a year for my full blown OI cause by fungal..all my nails on the right feet started become flakey one year before my DX... Now my nails are all back to normal..
Chris
hey, Chris, I am in shanghai. I have some question to ask you. Please mail me ASAP. thanks!!
jayson0302@gmail.com
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Miss P, thanks for the doc link. I called my HIV doc and they said they would get back to me. I have usually used the medical offices at the university where the HIV clinic is, because every medical practice there has access to all my records. But, I do have insurance and can go anywhere, so I was just thinking I would make my own appointment myself at a private practice.
So, did you go? -- it's been two months since you authored this thread.
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So, did you go? -- it's been two months since you authored this thread.
I made an appointment. They called to reschedule. Can't get in until next month now. The good thing is no more goo is coming out. I've been blow drying my feet. I've also been putting Lotrimin on it. Not sure if that is doing anything or not.
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Definitely address this with your doctor. I had terrible foot fungus problems before getting Valley Fever. (Here's a link) (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=48025.msg583263) Now that I'm on high doses of anti-fungals, my feet look great again (I'm ready for sling pumps). It took a couple of years for the feet to clear up (the nails had to grow out completely).
I think of my gorgeous feet as absolutely the ONLY upside to the whole Valley Fever adventure. Fungus is nasty stuff!!!
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I had/have the same problem with my left big toe. You should go to a podiatrist and have them either remove the nail and start taking lamisil tablets. Lamisil tabs have to be taken for about 3 months, you will have to get blood tests and all to make sure your liver is good because they can be rough on your liver. As the nail grows back it will grow back normal.
There are other options as well like Laser, but I hear its expensive and not covered by insurance.
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My yellow toe nail had nothing to do with HIV or immune system, I had this problem way before i became positive doctor said mine is probably from taking showers at the gym without wearing footwear.
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had similar problem many many years ago (way before poz)
Lamisil (you need an Rx) did a great job on me. Many doctors do not like to prescribe it, though... it worked wonderes, you could see a perfect progress horizontal line as the mail was growing.
Now, I read a paper (from equatorial country) that skin problems (in genral) are related to CD4/CD8 ratio.
This my be anectodal, but, recentlly, after starting treatment a bit of fungus had appeared under some corners of smaller toes nails. aas the CD4/CD8 went up, the fungus disappeared , even what was under the nails, hte most difficult part to treat, and eventhough my doc did not wan't to put me on LAMISIL. Since you are not under meds I can't see why you could not get a lamisil prescription.
Lamisil is a oral pill not to be mistaken with lamisilate (similar) but topical cream with no effect under neail
hope this helps
Eric