I’m quite lucky as I’ve experienced only a few of the common Imbruvica side effects. A minor but very troublesome one being severe cracks in the skin on my fingertips.
I’ve used Liquid Bsndage and bandages and tons of lotion as well as sleeping with my hands well oiled and in surgical gloves.
These things sort of work..but... well the cracks just return.
So frustrated the other day I almost inquired about stitches on about the worst crack I’ve ever had.
An Internet search for fingertip bandages led me to this...Nexcare Skin Crack Care. It’s a waterproof breathable liquid that per its literature allows cracks to heal from within.
Too early to tell if it solves the problem or lessons them but after a few applications ( I may be over applying ) it seems to be working. At least I’m able to button my shirt using my sore thumbs.
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RJR1
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I'll give this a try. I've tried gold bond skin crack, but it's a cream that will just rub off. I've also tried super glue that sometimes works, but sometimes doesn't work so well.
I've also had some success with super glue gel formulas and with clear nail polish. Just make sure to let it dry before you get your hands wet or wiping your eyes!! The original surgical glue, Dermabond. was apparently just a reformulation of super glue. Be Well - cujoe
I’ve not tried Dermabond but have used Super Glue gel to repair severely broken nails as Imbruvica makes them brittle. This new product “breathes “ or so says the literature
Now go figure... I’ve always been told that “ dry eyes” mean they water like crazy. As soon as I started Imbruvica my waterfall eyes stopped doing that
My dry eye - not related to any treatment resulted in very dry eyes - no watering, thought I was told that they can cause excessive watering. I get plugs in the lower tear ducts to keep moisture in the eye, and use Restasis (prescription) drops with preservative free saline drops.
I have used 3M Cavilon, its a barrier sponge with liquid that is used by my wound care team... seems to work quite well...
If this is ongoing you should be referred to a wound care specialist...the days of DIY wound care are over.
Why this occurs, at least in part with nails, and my specialist felt the same occurs wth skin...
The researchers observed that overall nail brittleness affects approximately 20% of the population and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Ibrutinib inhibits Bruton tyrosine kinase by covalently binding to cysteine 481. Whether ibrutinib affects the hair and nails by binding and altering cysteine-rich proteins or by another mechanism, they wrote, is unknown.
The investigators point out that "55% of affected patients expressed concern related to nail appearance or pain. Treatment options for brittle nails include biotin supplementation and topical solutions such as hydrosoluble nail lacquer and polyurea urethane."
Biotin, they go on to say, has shown success in treatment of brittle nails but "further clinical study is needed to confirm efficacy in the setting of ibrutinib therapy."
Hi. I suffer from finger splits thought I had found something to help but only worked for a while. I called the wound center where I live and they said they couldn’t help me They will debread( spelling)? Wound so heals faster no meds or lotions are prescribed. What is the 3m product u speak of ? Is it a prescription that I can ask dr about?? Thank u for your help. Love your posts full of so much info and encouragement to all of us ❤️
It’s called..Nexcare Skin Crack Care and yes made by 3M. It’s promoted as “ allowing the wound to breath and thus heal from inside”. I’m well aware of how important that is having had surgery years ago where stitches were not used.
Thanks you for sharing. Hope it works well for you. What has helped me is a warm soak made of 50% apple cider vinegar with 50% hot water. Soaked 20 minutes, 3-4 times daily. Instantly soothing and expedited healing for me.
I haven’t had problems with my feet... hope I don’t. So far after just 24 hours the Nexcare seems to be helping. What was an open slice seems to be tightening up...the tenderness is gone.
Soaking my fingers every day in olive oil about 10 minutes helped me. I also apply Eucerin cream every time I wash my hands. It’s a nuisance, but I haven’t had any more cracks on my finger tips.
I have been trying just about anything. Going to file the Nexcare product just in case. I have just finished BR treatment and have cracking skin issues on my fingers too. Having finally got the cracks to close and have been using tea tree oil to lubricate the skin. So far its working...but damn those cracks hurt worse than a paper cut.
My doctor prescribed Mupirocin ointment. It works for my fingertips and the slit openings on my heels. Podiatrist prescribed Ammonium Lactate Cream to keep the heels hydrated. Blessings to my CLL brothers and sisters.
I tend towards split skin on my feet, I use Flexitol Heel Balm, as recommended by podiatrist - I have had this for many many years, long before CLL. It works well, and she is pleased with the condition of my feet now.
Since my skin and hands are anyhow thin due to my age (84) plus Imbruvica, to protect my hands, I wear medial gloves when I do housework. The same gloves doctors use for examination. Nitrile gloves are best to avoid skin reaction. I wear cloth gloves outside the house.
I have noticed that the cracked fingers are considerably worse if I drink less than 60 ounces of water daily. Mine are at best when my water consumption exceeds 60 ounces and I apply Blu Emu regularly during the day.
Hi, I've not seen this product on the market but I suspect it's what we use in the emergency room to hold together split skin rather than sutures or staples. I've used super glue before with good effect (with an awfully funny event when my hubby tried to apply it to me before we left the store and got the box and more stuff stuck to both of us.) At present, I use bee's wax emollient to soften the skin, and clear nail varnish to strengthen the splitting nails (gad they hurt) and split cuticles/pads/heals. Biotin supplements have not helped me, been on it for about a year.
I didn't realize the split skin and nail problems were an Ibrutinib side effect, I thought I was just getting old! Been on I for exactly 2 years. The problem seems to subside in the summer but returns in the winter. I started Biotin about a month ago and no clear results yet. I did try the Gold Bond cream this past winter and can't say as it helped very much but I will keep my eyes peeled for the Nexcare stuff at CVS to have it on hand.
On the scale of side effects I agree with RJR1 in that I feel lucky this is my worst complaint but both the nail and skin problems have caused a ton of bad words to stream from my mouth at times.
The finger cutes are the WORST! How can something that looks so minor cause SO much pain?! Of course if I don't put a bandage on I always bump it....Must be a lot of nerves in that area - ouch. I've been on Imbruvica for about 9 months and now having some of the worst side effects, don't know why? I do know we all react differently. Thanks for posting that picture, I will look on Amazon today
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