Treatment FAQ

what causes red spots on the tip of my toes taking chem treatment

by Prof. Ciara Corkery Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Some cancer drugs affect the growth of skin cells or small blood vessels in the hands and feet. This causes hand-foot syndrome
hand-foot syndrome
Chemotherapy-induced acral erythema, also known as palmar-plantar erythrodesia or hand-foot syndrome is reddening, swelling, numbness and desquamation (skin sloughing or peeling) on palms of the hands and soles of the feet (and, occasionally, on the knees, elbows, and elsewhere) that can occur after chemotherapy in ...
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. Once a drug is out of the blood vessels, it damages the surrounding tissues. This causes symptoms that range from redness and swelling to problems walking.

Common Causes

Stubbing or dropping something on your toe could cause enough trauma to turn it red. Other injuries such as the repeated pressure and abrasion of a shoe that doesn’t fit could also result in a red toe. This can cause pain and swelling in addition to redness. Treatment could include:

Related Conditions

The red spots will usually appear on the soles of the feet. Typically, there’s no treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease other than OTC pain relievers or fever reducers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Why does my toe have a red spot?

Red spots on your skin are typical and varies with age and setting, they can be many things. Below are example cases; some are trivial and others needed a personal visit to the dermatologist. 1. Pityriasis versicolor (Tinea versicolor) 15 year old girl. I have red spots/ blotches on my back, I just realized it as I stepped out of the shower.

What is the treatment for red spots on your feet?

Online dermatologist answer Thanks for the images of the legs and the history. It looks like it could be LEUKOCYTOCLASTIC VASCULITIS, an inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin. The typical red spots that appear on the feet, ankles and lower legs may sometimes spread up to the thighs and even to the trunk.

Why do I have red spots on my Skin?

What are these red spots on my legs?

Does chemo cause red spots?

The chemo rash typically looks like a group of small pimples and pus-filled blisters. People with this form of chemo rash may also experience pain and itchiness from the condition. Radiation dermatitis is often a side effect of receiving radiation treatment.

Does chemo affect your toes?

Chemotherapy can have effects on the feet and toenails. It can attack and damage tissue in the feet and around the nails. Some drugs can damage the nerves in the feet and cause pain, burning, and even numbness.

How do you treat chemo toes?

To help soothe your skin:Cool the palms of your hands and soles of your feet with ice packs or cool water. Do this for about 15 minutes at a time. Put a towel between the ice pack and your skin.Gently apply skin care lotion to keep your hands moist. Avoid rubbing or massaging lotion into your hands.

How do you get rid of chemo spots?

1 Chemo acne can range from mild to severe....Tips for Taking Care of Your SkinKeep skin clean. Opt for a gentle cleanser that does not contain perfumes, which can irritate the skin.Avoid anti-acne products. ... Use only recommended skin products. ... Keep skin moisturized. ... Stay hydrated. ... Avoid touching your face.

What is chemo toe?

Nail changes during chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can disrupt the growth cycles of new cells in your body. The keratin-rich cells that make up your skin and nails can be especially affected by this. Approximately 6 to 12 months after finishing treatment, your natural fingernails and toenails will start to regrow.

Why does chemo affect feet?

Certain types of chemotherapy affect the small sensory nerves in the feet and hands, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in fingers and toes. Treatment with chemotherapy can also result in weakness, muscle cramps, and muscle fatigue.

What helps neuropathy in the feet from chemo?

Neuropathy is nerve damage that can cause tingling, numbness, and other sensations, often in the feet and hands....Some research suggests the following treatments might help prevent neuropathy:vitamin E.calcium and magnesium.anti-seizure drugs.antidepressants.glutathione, a vitamin that is rich in antioxidants.

How long does chemo stay in your body?

It generally takes about 48 to 72 hours for your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs. But it's important to know that each chemo drug is excreted or passed through the body a bit differently.

How do you know if chemo is killing you?

Here are some signs that chemotherapy may not be working as well as expected: tumors aren't shrinking. new tumors keep forming. cancer is spreading to new areas....Along the way, the timeline may have to be adjusted due to:low blood counts.adverse effects to major organs.severe side effects.

What is the best toothpaste for chemo patients?

Biotene 'Dry Mouth Toothpaste' is SLS free, contains fluoride and important salivary enzymes. CTX4 is also SLS free, as is MI paste, and both are good for sensitive mouths. These can be bought at cost at our office for our existing patients.

Can chemo cause blisters on feet?

Hand-foot syndrome (also called palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) is a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs that can cause redness, swelling and blistering on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Does water flush out chemo?

Chemotherapy can be dehydrating. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system.

What causes redness on toes and feet?

Allergic contact dermatitis. When your skin comes in contact with an allergen — plants such as poison ivy and metals such as nickel — it can become inflamed. Symptoms in addition to toe redness can include: toe and foot itchiness. scabs on toes and feet. Treatment could include:

Why is my toe red?

Stubbing or dropping something on your toe could cause enough trauma to turn it red. Other injuries such as the repeated pressure and abrasion of a shoe that doesn’t fit could also result in a red toe. This can cause pain and swelling in addition to redness.

What is athlete's foot?

Also known as tinea pedis, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of your toes or feet.

What causes toe pain and swelling?

Nail infection. Known as paronychia, an infection of your nail folds is typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or a fungus and can cause toe pain and swelling. Treatment could include: soaking your toe in warm water. antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)

What is the best treatment for a toe sprain?

Treatment could include: over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) immobilization, often by taping to a neighboring toe.

What to do for itchy toes?

Treatment could include: lifestyle changes such as starting a regular exercise program and stopping the use of tobacco products. cholesterol-lowering medications ( statins) high blood pressure medications. medications to prevent blood clots, such as aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix)

What happens when you touch gasoline?

When your skin comes in contact with certain substances —such as gasoline or detergents like soaps and bleach — it can become inflamed.

What does it mean when your toe is broken?

The term “ broken toe ” refers to a fracture — possibly a traumatic or stress fracture — in the bone of the toe.

How to prevent chilblains on toes?

To help prevent chilblains from forming on the toes, keep the feet warm and dry. Anyone who experiences reoccurring chilblains should speak to a doctor, who may recommend treatment with a drug that makes the blood vessels thicker. It is also worth noting that smoking damages blood circulation.

Why are my toes red?

A person’s toes can appear red due to cold weather, injury, infection, or other medical conditions. The redness usually goes away on its own, though some underlying causes require treatment. This article will look at some of the most common causes of red toes. We also describe treatments and offer some tips for prevention.

Why does my big toe jut out?

It develops when the bone that connects the toe to the foot turns outward. This pushes the big toe inward, toward the other toes, and makes the joint jut out. Most shoes put pressure on bunions. Over time, the joint can swell and become red, stiff, and painful.

What is a purple chilblain?

Chilblains are red or purple marks that appear after the skin has been exposed to cold weather. They may feel itchy. Another name for these marks is perniosis. Chilblains develop shortly after exposure to the cold, and they often become more visible if a person warms the skin quickly, for example, in front of a fire or heater.

Why do my toes hurt when I walk?

Skin and nail infections can cause redness, swelling, and pain in the toes. Bacteria or fungi are usually responsible for these infections.

What is the best treatment for chilblains?

Over-the-counter steroid creams can treat chilblains. A person can find these in drugstores or choose between brands online.

What is the best treatment for a rash on the foot?

Your doctor may prescribe allergy medication. OTC topical cortisone creams or an OTC antihistamine may also help relieve your symptoms. OTC options include:

What causes red spots on the soles of the feet?

fever. lack of appetite. s ore throat. general sick feeling. The red spots will usually appear on the soles of the feet. Typically, there’s no treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease other than OTC pain relievers or fever reducers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

What does it mean when your feet are red?

If you have a history of psoriasis, the red spots on your feet may be a new flare-up. But if you’ve never had psoriasis, this might be the first sign of it. Figuring out the trigger is next. Psoriasis triggers can include:

Why do my feet turn red?

stress. excess sunlight. lack of sunlight. weak immune system. Psoriasis on the feet usually appears as pink-red patches on the bottom of your feet. The skin may be itchy, raised, and thick. Talk to you doctor about treating your psoriasis. They may prescribe topical ointments to help.

What causes red bumps on the skin?

mosquito. fire ant. Bites from any of these insects can produce one to several red bumps on your skin. If you’ve been outside or around an animal that has fleas, you may have fleabites. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as corticosteroid creams or lotions, can help the itching.

What is athlete's foot?

Athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that typically occurs between the toes and on the foot. The area usually appears red, flaky, and can occur in just one spot or spread across the foot. Here’s how you can prevent athlete’s foot: Avoid wearing tight shoes. Dry your feet well after washing them.

What are the symptoms of a red foot?

This condition is a viral infection passed from person to person. Along with red spots, other symptoms may include: fever. lack of appetite.

How to care for toenails during chemo?

Basic Toenail Care During Chemo. Clip toenails straight across, keeping them short. This helps prevent breakage and splitting, as well as ingrown toenails. Try soaking your toes in warm water for a short period of time before clipping your nails, as this will soften them and may prevent splitting or cracking.

How fast do toenails grow?

Toenails grow only half as fast as fingernails, or about 0.5 centimeters every three months. Like fingernails, toenails can develop other disorders, lines, ridges, discolorations, and even come loose during chemotherapy. To keep your toenails healthy during treatment and recovery, try these tips.

How long does it take for a toenail to heal after chemo?

Fingernail issues usually resolve around six months after completing chemotherapy, but toenails can take longer to recover.

What is the most common problem during chemotherapy?

on September 23, 2020. Toenail disorders are fairly common during chemotherapy, especially with certain drugs. The most common problem is onycholysis, or damage to the tissue that keeps toenails and fingernails in place.

How to prevent infection during chemotherapy?

If you do choose to have a pedicure or do your own, sterilize your tools in bleach and water beforehand to prevent infections.

What to do if you have a fever after chemo?

If you develop redness, discharge or drainage around your nails, or a fever, see your doctor. She may prescribe topical (or sometimes oral) antibiotics or antifungal creams.

Why are wide toe shoes good for you?

That said, open-toed and/or wide toed shoes improve circulation and provide protection for loos or fragile toenails. Even small cuts on your toes or feet (especially if you also have diabetes) can lead to infection.

What is the most common form of contact dermatitis?

Pain, swelling, redness, and itching may occur, and the condition can occur in both adults and children. Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common form of contact dermatitis. (5) It accounts for 80% of all cases of contact dermatitis. (6)

What causes red spots on the foot?

Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction when the skin is exposed to a foreign substance. Red spots, swelling, blisters, burning, itchiness, pain, and cracks in the foot may occur.

What is psoriasis skin?

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that involves the skin, nails, and joints. Clinical findings will lead to a diagnosis. There are different clinical types of psoriasis.

How to prevent dehydration?

Prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Prevent the spread by washing your hands for 20 seconds.

How to treat contact dermatitis?

How to treat. The first step to management is the treatment of irritated skin. Moisturizers and topical steroids are used to manage contact dermatitis. The next step is determining the cause of the reaction to prevent it from occurring in the future. 5.

What is an insect bite?

An insect bite refers to both bites and stings caused by an arthropod. The outcomes of bites from arthropods are due to traumatic injury or local inflammation and hypersensitivity to arthropod saliva. (4)

How to treat insect bites?

Most insect bites can be managed with local wound care. Steroid creams may calm the inflammation and itchiness. Cold compresses can reduce inflammation. Elevating the foot can relieve the edema if present. Pain can be controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.

What is radiation recall?

Radiation recall is an acute inflammatory form of chemo rash that can appear after administering chemotherapy agents to a patient after radiation therapy. It is one of the more unique forms of chemo rash, and there is still much not known about specific combinations that trigger the condition.

How long does it take for a chemo rash to show?

Although chemo rash can appear at any point during treatment administration, it is most common within the first two to three weeks. Cancer treatments that can lead to chemo rash include: Chemotherapy. Radiation therapy. Immunotherapy.

What is the most common side effect of chemotherapy?

Remedies for Chemo Rash. People can have varying responses to the different forms of cancer treatment. Chemo rash is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. It may show up on your face, neck, scalp, upper back, and chest.

What is the rash on the side of the hand from chemotherapy?

Hand-Foot Syndrome. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or other forms of cancer treatment can develop the chemo rash hand-foot syndrome. It’s a skin reaction that happens when a small amount of medication from the treatment starts leaking from small blood vessels, usually on the hands and feet.

What is the best treatment for chemo rash?

Radiation therapy. Immunotherapy. Targeted therapy. Stem cell transplant. The appearance of a chemo rash can also be a sign that a person is having an allergic reaction to a specific medication. If you find yourself developing a chemo rash, your doctor may want to take a skin biopsy to make a diagnosis.

How to avoid chemo rash?

Your physician may recommend the following practices before receiving radiation treatment to avoid the development of chemo rash: Wash your skin very gently with warm water to remove any bacteria and avoid irritation. Use a gentle cleanser with a low-pH for cleansing. Avoid scrubbing at any lines on your skin.

How long does it take for dermatitis to appear after radiation?

Radiation dermatitis usually appears within 90 days of receiving radiation therapy. It can have a variety of appearances, including:

What are red spots on skin?

Red spots on your skin are typical and varies with age and setting, they can be many things. Below are example cases; some are trivial and others needed a personal visit to the dermatologist. Ask a dermatologist and get peace of mind today. 1. Pityriasis versicolor (Tinea versicolor)

How long does it take for a schampoo to get rid of fungus?

It is not dangerous or contagious. You can treat this with over-the-counter (OTC) Fundan (ketoconazole) schampoo over the entire body 2 times/week for 3 weeks or an anti-fungal cream twice a day for 10 days. If not better or it has got worse after 6 weeks, see a dermatologist in person.

What does it mean when your shoulder is red?

This looks very much like like shingles, also known as herpes zoster, which is the reactivation of the chicken pox virus. It is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area.

Can erythema multiforme be caused by a virus?

These syndromes can be caused by different medicines or viral infections for example.

What is a rash on the back of the chest called?

Pityriasis rosea is a common, benign rash that usually happens in adolescents and young adults. It usually starts with one larger red spot on the chest, torso, or back, followed by smaller red spots with a ring-like shape. The spots can be scaly and itchy. 6

What is a ringworm rash?

Getty Images / alejandrophotography. Ringworm (tinea corporis) is a common fungal skin infection that causes a red, blotchy, circular rash with a raised edge. Sometimes ringworm can cause flaking and peeling, but it's typically not painful.

What is it called when you get a bump on your face?

Contact dermatitis is a common condition that happens when your skin comes into contact with something irritating or something that it's allergic to. It usually appears as an itchy red rash with bumps but can also include swollen or dry, cracked, flaky skin on any part of the body.

What is a heat rash?

Heat rash (or miliaria) happens when sweat glands are blocked under the skin, causing small, red, prickly bumps that can be itchy or painful. It usually appears in skin folds or areas where sweat accumulates, like the armpits, chest, back, arms, and groin.

What is a rash on the elbow called?

DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder that can be triggered by stress, medication, infection, injury, or environmental factors. An itchy, irritated red rash with silvery plaques or scales—commonly on the elbows, knees, and scalp—forms when the immune system overproduces skin cells too quickly.

How to treat atopic dermatitis in children?

10 Treatment may include topical steroid creams (over -the-counter or prescription) and antihistamines or oral steroids for more severe cases. Experts also recommend keeping the skin well-moisturized to help reduce flare-ups.

Why do cherry angiomas bleed?

It's not unusual for cherry angiomas to grow in size or occasionally bleed due to clothing or other irritation. Keep in mind that this is normal, and is typically not a cause for alarm.

Common Toenail Problems During Chemotherapy

Redness of the skin surrounding the joint due to inflammation.

Common Causes

Joint redness is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by:

  • Strain
  • Sprain
  • Injury
Related Conditions
Sometimes joint redness may signify an underlying health condition. These conditions include:

Prevention

Complications

Toenail Care Tips

Image
When onycholysis occurs, it is usually painless. However, if other conditions such as a low white blood cell count are present as well, it can lead to discomfort and infection. In addition to onycholysis, other toenail problems that can occur with chemotherapy include:1 1. Cracks to the nail 2. Dark spots under the nail 3. Ridge…
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Summary

  • It may not be possible to completely prevent toenail changes from occurring while getting chemotherapy. Practicing good nail care is the best bet. However, a 2018 study looked at the use of natural polyphenolic-rich herbal oil (PolyBalm) which is applied to the nails during chemotherapy. The double-blinded randomized trial found that the balm "profoundly" reduced ch…
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