No idea whether this is steroid or osteoarthritis related but over the last 12 months I have been troubled by my finger nails. They grow very very quickly but are ingrowing and I have had several infections. I also have a myxoid cyst on the base of my middle finger of left hand which is destroying the whole nail, leaks and looks just awful but not painful. My two middle fingers are the worst. I take care of my hands and nails and don't cut them down at the side, they are just growing differently and very curved in to the flesh. No problems with toe nails.
Any ideas why or suggestions/advice please?
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HappyDiamonds
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Thanks Mrs N since posting about the original myxoid cyst all my finger nails are growing oddly and embedding in to the flesh and occasionally getting infected. They are very difficult to cut where they are so curved inwards. The nail that has the cyst is growing with 2 deep grooves all through it and the nail base is crusted. Seeing Rheumy next week, will ask if she knows of a reason and report back just in case someone else would benefit from the information.
I have a myxoid cyst that just appeared from nowhere. As it does not really hurt I have done nothing about it. It is just below the nail on my right thumb.
Unfortunately after having it a long time mine has become troublesome and has spread over the half moon part of my nail and weeped a bit. It also made almost like a little hole in one place on my nail and a very deep vertical groove which won't grow out almost like its damaging the nail bed. It goes down a enough to convince me its on its way out and then just swells again. Looks quite unsightly too.
It would be a good idea to request your Rheumy to refer you cross departments to Dermatology. They are the department that specialise in nail based conditions as well as skin , including the autoimmune and inflammatory ones that can just involve the nails , which is possible with things like Psoriasis and other arthritic and connective tissue Disorders. If it keeps happening, it's worth getting someone to take photos of the growth and cysts at different stages , and keeping them in a file on your tablet or phone to show the specialist. Often these help with their choice of diagnosis and treatment as the markers can be different by the time you get to an appointment than when you get the original flare up.
Thank you for your suggestions, I will do that, I have some photos already which I sent to my GP who prescribed antibiotics cream to rub in and it cures the infection. Its a strange thing to happen.
oddly, I woke up biting my nails about 3 weeks ago ( a habit I dropped years ago). I had bitten down the side of my tallest finger. This developed an extremely painful septic lump that oozed clear liquid when pressed. 3 weeks on it is a hard dry, slightly painful lump with a hood of dry skin. I protected it with plasters and Calendula cream, proved the most effective. A first experience for me. A doctor I went to about gut issues glanced at it and mentioned sepsis which alarmed me. I wish I’d asked more.
Its surprising how much infected nails/fingers hurt. Things like using my mobile or laptop were really painful. I sent photos of my finger to my GP and said I didn't want to take antibiotics and she prescribed an AB ointment which cleared it up pretty quickly. Hope you can get something similar, certainly shouldn't be ignored.
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