Some whitening of finger and toe nails whist on Prednisolone

[Dappa]

I'm wondering if anyone as experienced any whitening of finger and toe nails whist on prednisolone. This as just come since I've been on this steroid. Been on it since March of this year. When I've googled it, it looks something like Terry nails on the images and it's now frightened me to death because this Terry nail is caused by Liver failure, heart failure and kidney failure. I had my bloods done a few months ago though and my liver and kidneys were okay. Since being on steroids though I have had a fungal infection on my legs. Which cleared with cream. Wondering if it's brought me a fungal nail infection. I am booking docs appointment today but know I won't get in very quickly so am going to go to a podiatrist as well. Really concerned about this. Could anyone throw any light on this at all please.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it all nails or just some? Pred does make us more susceptible to fungal infections.

At the start of PMR my big toenails used to go white under the summer nail polish (only time I use it). If it was associated with anything it was PMR, I wasn't on pred.

[Dappa in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for the reply. It is on all my toes. The white comes from the base of the toe nail up to nearly the top of my big toes. On my other toes it does not show up as much but is still there. On my finger nails it's like an half an inch white band going across my finger nails. It's on all of them. The earliest appointment I have got with the doctor I see is the 27th November but have got in with a podiatrist next Wednesday. The podiatrist is very good. I have seen him once before. I only wear nail polish on my toes in summer. But I always have a neutral colour on my finger nails. It may well be associated with PMR. Thank you so much once again.

[piglette in reply to Dappa]

Our nails are supposed to tell us a lot about any problems that our bodies have. Let us know what your podiatrist says.

[Dappa in reply to piglette]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I believe so, and that's what started panicking me haha. I'm okay now. I have to stop googling things. I will let you know Piglette. Thanks again.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dappa]

Bear in mind too that it can be a normal sign of aging and pred accelerates some of those signs. But Terry's nails also are associated with a decrease in vascularity (blood supply to the nail bed). It is possible that the blood flow to the nail bed was poor before pred - but the appearance of the effect will be delayed as they grow out.

But will be interesting to hear what the podiatrist says.

[SnazzyD]

Sounds like you need some basic blood tests because there are all sorts of reasons for pale nails, many of them fixable and non scary. If you mean a white line, I think that can indicate trauma on the body. When I’ve had a bad do with something, shock or drugs I don’t like, whatever, I get them as a delayed reaction. Not on every finger or toe either. I am assuming something happens in the growth plate below the nail itself and as the nail grows out it eventually appears, a bit like a tree ring. It grows out and is eventually snipped off with scissors. The body does funny things like this eg, hair falling out, skin peeling off with illness but later on.

You've reminded me that in the run up years to GCA and in the early months I kept getting them and I’ve not had one since last year.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

In case you didn't see my reply above:

"Bear in mind too that it can be a normal sign of aging and pred accelerates some of those signs. But Terry's nails also are associated with a decrease in vascularity (blood supply to the nail bed). It is possible that the blood flow to the nail bed was poor before pred - but the appearance of the effect will be delayed as they grow out."

And with pred - the blood supply is improved.

[Dappa in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro

Sorry I didn't see your reply. No I didn't have this before going on the Pred. It as worried me a bit but think the podiatrist could be better than my doc to be honest. Will tell you what podiatrist as to say. Thanks for the reply

[Dappa in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi SnazzyD,

I have had many blood tests done last one being a liver function test in August and that came back normal. Keep wondering if it could be a fungal infection and it's gone into my both my finger nails and toe nails. In the warmer weather I got a fungal infection on my legs. It cleared okay with the cream Doc gave me. I know you can be prone to them with Prednisolone. Will let you know what podiatrist says on Weds. Thanks for the reply.