skin infections and CLL

[puppy43]

Hi,

have been on W&W for nearly 3 years and just recently have contracted Ringworm

Has anyone had any experience of fungal skin infections with CLL and is it a sign that the disease

is progressing .

Also does anyone know how to get rid of it ? Creams don't work and the tablets are lethal

with so many side effects

many thanks

[Poodle2]

Hi there,

I don't think it's a sign of disease progression but it might be harder to shift.

Fungal skin infections are generally hard to treat even on healthy people and it's no exception to treat them for about 4 weeks (no CLL involved).

Do you have just one "patch" or several? If it's only one, you have to continue applying the cream or whatever you were given generally for 4 weeks. Wash all clothing on 60°, maintain good hand hygiene and do not share towels with anyone else. The patch stays on your skin for a very long time, even once it has healed and it's not infections anymore.

If you have several or loads of small patches, you will need oral medication I'm afraid.

Who diagnosed your ringworm?

There are several skin conditions that look very similar (e.g. pytirias rosea) that do not require antifungal treatment but are visible for months.

You should see a dermatologist if you are struggling (it might be misdiagnosed, some GPs sometimes misdiagnose as well).

[puppy43 in reply to Poodle2]

Hi poodle2thank you so much for your reply it was very helpful.

I was diagnosed by my GP who has provided a prescription for oral anti fungals, but have to

have bloods first to check liver function.

i have several patches, but as you say getting to see a dermatologist might take some time

so trying to ' help myself'

Maybe patience is required

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi puppy43,-

I agree with Poodle2 - CLL doesn't "cause" skin problems directly but it does significantly affect our immune system, so lots of bacterial, viral and fungal problems can become major issues and without a properly functioning immune system they become very difficult to cure. Some believe the immune impact gets gradually worse over time but treatment may or may not improve your immune system.

-

Before CLL I felt I was nearly "bullet proof" for bacterial infections, but often had fungal problems like athlete's foot, jock itch and toenail fungus.

After CLL, those got worse and to get rid of them I often had to use several different topical treatments on a rotating or sequential basis for 4-8 weeks.

-

We hear that getting to see a Dermatologist in the NHS is challenging, and you may need to get your GP to provide a referral, assuming you can get an appointment with your GP. We also get skin cancer 5X+ more often than people with normal immune systems, so anytime you get to a doctor, ask for a thorough full body scan that includes all the private parts.

-

Len

[puppy43 in reply to lankisterguy]

Hi lankisterguy,

thanks for your reply

yes like you I felt 'bulletproof ' before my diagnosis which left me totally stunned!

I agree that maybe rotating topical medication is the answer and as I said to Poodle2

just being patient which is hard when normally these things would clear in a few days.

[blowinginthewind]

It is a fungal infection. I get fungal infections although I haven't had ringworm for years - since I caught it off one of children. I use neat Tea Tree Oil, from Boots, and I drop it on or rub it one. Perhaps drop it on the area where the ringworm is then use a cotton bud to make sure the whole of the ringwork is covered. I was alarmed when my podiatrist told me about neat tea tree oil, because I thought essential oils should never be put on the skin undiluted. It takes a few weeks, used twice a day.

I hope it goes soon

Liz

[puppy43 in reply to blowinginthewind]

Hi,thanks for your reply I have now been to Boots to get my Tea tree oil and will start

asap. Have heard really good things about tea tree and am keen to give it a go

Fingers crossed it will help

[blowinginthewind in reply to puppy43]

I hope it helps - my worst fungal infection was under a tonal, and tea tree cleared it; it took a while, but it worked.

Liz in UK

[StayConnected]

I currently have onychomycosis, a fingernail fungal infection, diagnosed after a dermatologist’s biopsy. I’ve been taking Terbinafine 250 mg tab (1 week down, 4 more to go), so far with no side effects. I agree, the list of possible side effects is scary and they did check my liver function beforehand.

I’ve also had athlete’s foot, diagnosed by a podiatrist and successfully treated with an over the counter cream.

CLL dx 2016

Ibrutinib since 2019

USA

[Pearlpink]

Hi. I get loads of fungal skin infections, and they used to go bonkers!

I’ve now got a routine that works well.

Most fungal infections, in general , get you in hot moist areas like underarms, and feet. In women under the bust, and in men in the groin.

It has a tendency to sometimes go bonkers now I have worsening CLL.

Initially it would get out of control when I only used cream. In the past, prior to cll, a touch of an anti fungal plus steroid cream would resolve it very fast.

With CLL Ive twice had to have oral treatment to stop it. It was miraculous. I just had one fluconazole 250mg once a week for few weeks.

However a lovely Gp suggested that I try Nizoral shampoo (ketoconazole) shampoo (available over the counter), as a body wash in the relevant areas once a week. Since then it’s been completely under control. I’m due to start treatment soon - had to delay it because of family covid. My consultant is happy for me to keep using the wash during the V&O treatment which is great for me!

If people do get yeast infection in hot sweaty areas, using an strong antiperspirant, such as Mitchum, in those areas also helps, if it doesn’t irritate.

Weirdly I also can’t eat cheddar cheese, or ordinary hard cheeses without getting a flare up within 24hrs!

Do make sure it’s yeast infection. As everyone has mentioned, you can get all sorts of weird rashes with CLL.

Don’t be frightened of the oral medication. Sometimes you just need it to stop it in its tracks, and then you can do the preventive stuff.

My fungal skin infections are part of my increased tendency to get infections as treatment for cll gets closer. But they are very common at any stage, and they are easy to sort out.

All the best.

[puppy43 in reply to Pearlpink]

Hi Pearlpink,

thank you for your reply and the great tips you have given me I am new to all this and

have had some great kindness from everyone.

i now have my teatree oil as suggested by blowinginthewind and will now buy some Nizoral !

I think Boots the Chemist must see me coming.

As you say the infections can drive you mad as they itch and look so awful especially with the hot weather in the UK.

I have the oral medication Terbinafine mentioned by StayConnected and am awaiting a blood test on my liver .I will persevere with it as gather it works really quickly .

I wish you well with your forthcoming treatment and am here for support

best wishes