Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Nail Infection Anyone?

I have had a big (great) toe nail infection for the past 10 years and its ever since I have had AS. I have read where Reactive Arthritis can produce a similiar single digit nail infection but was wondering whether any of my fellow AS Kickers had a similar nail infection and do they think its related to the AS. We know psoriasis is related to AS and skin and nails are in the same ballpark.

Don't think you can - KNOW YOU CAN

Hmmm!! I also have a single digit nail infection. Only had mine about 2-3 yrs now-lost entire nail once but is has grown back. Never thought about it being AS related but guess there is a possibility.

i also have had problems with just one nail.my left thumb.i went to several docters.specialest.who said it was psoriasis under the nail.i took seveal different meds.used a cream.nothing helped.then they removed the whole nail.again pills and creams.when it grew back it was even worse .the pain was unbearible.i then went to another specialest.he did a biopsy.and found it was a glumas tumor.he operated and found three small tumors.all benine.these tumors are rare.they grow on the blood vains under the nails.and the pain is terrible.that helped but now two years latter its back.i will have to have it or them removed again.you can look this up on the net.under glumas tumors.but these are very painfull.christine.

Both of my big toes have nail infection. The right toe for about 15 years and the left for 7 years. I don't know if it is AS related or not. In fact I never thought to bring it up with my Rheumy, as the drug treatments seem to be hard on the liver. With all of the other things that we can take that challenge the liver, I did not want to add one more. Are you going to mention it to your Rheumy? It would interesting to see what he would say.

Harry

I have one "ugly" nail too, on the big toe on my bad foot, the left one where I have the damaged ankle joint (my first intimation of something going wrong with my body which led to my initial DX of RA) and the heel pain and the joint pain in my big toe. Always wondered if it was psoriasis under the nail or something. It hurts - - but not so much that anyone is going to even mention removing the nail. The base will grow out normally for a while and then it will turn into a thickened nail as it grows out. Never mentioned it to my rheumy, maybe I should.

Cheryl


Dogs know the meaning of faithfulness

Yes, I also used to get infections in my two big toes only and this kept coming back every month or so. Our family Doctor took a very close look at it and did end up blaming the AS for causing the infections but not in the way you may think.

I've always found my big toenails the hardest to keep cleaned under the nails. After my back was straightened, I found it very difficult to clean my nails as I could bairly reach them (being bent over is far easier for nail cleaning). The Doctor noticed several scratches under the tips of my nails and asked how they got there. All I could say was that I supposed that they were caused by cleaning my nails with my small pocket knife as it had a narrower blade than my nail file. These scratches plus the excellent breeding ground for bacteria under the nails, were the cause of the infection.

He suggested that I start using a plastic nail file and from that day on, no more toe problems.

George

Breb Assyl

How bizzare that you mentioned nail infections. For the first time, I am in an all out flare. At the time the flare started, my left big toe became infected! I went to the Dr. today and she put me on antibiotics for general infection and for the infection in my toe. Until I read your post and the replies, I had absolutely no idea it could in any way be related to AS! I'm horrifed!

January

Beautiful quilts are made from rags.

My nail infection and my AS have got to be related somehow. I've been feeling a lot better since I went to a "no dairy" diet as well as NSD and my nail infection (thick, yellowish and surrounding skin area is red) is noticeably better. I mean there is normal healthy nail growth starting at the bottom of the nail. As I said before, AS can affect so many areas of the body (eyes, knees, ribs, jaw, etc.) so probably no surprise about nails. I will mention it to my rheumy but doubt he will be too interested as they don't seem to like dealing with AS (its too hard a job). Hey, tell us about it

Don't think you can - KNOW YOU CAN

Sorry about the nail infection--they can be quite painful. I have had them on toe nails and fingernails at different times. I have to be very careful about cutting toe nails especially. In fact, a heavy nail board is the best way to get rid of my too long toe nails. I have to file off what I can only describe as fish hook like growths on the edge of each nail. If I don''t I get infections where they cut the skin around the hook.

Sorry, I don't have any solutions to this one other than what you've seen here.

GA Susan

I have had two nail infections, one so deep that it right to the bone, and it smelled awful. I can't see how it's related to AS, but i used a herbal remedy (it's actually a commonly found weed, known as bluetop - there's a jagged leaf variety,and a smoother, more rounded yet still kind of jagged leaf variety that smells herby when crushed - that's the one to use), and that got rid of it pretty well.