posted
I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease this past August. I'm 19yrs old. I was onl Doxycyline (200mg/day) for 10 weeks. Then I went to a specialist, Dr. P in CT, and went off medicine for a week. Now I've been on Tetracycline (1,500mg/day) for 3 weeks. I herxed on this medicine for about over a week - with lots of joint and back pain. Since the week I was off all medicine I've been getting hives when I wake up in the morning. I was wondering if anyone else had this symptom. I only get the hives on my joints (wrists, elbows, ankles, knees) and they're only there when I wake up for about 30min. My doctor doesn't know if it's a reaction to the medicine or not since it started before the course of tetracycline began. I also am now having my fingernails get air spots in them. Right now 4 of my fingernails have little air pockets that gradually get bigger, so it looks like my nails may eventually fall off, but I'm not really sure. I don't know if anyone else here has had those types of symptoms and may have advice. My doctor told me to go to a dermatologist but so far I can't find any with an opening before December. Any help would be great.
Posts: 55 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Dear Pepper-
Don't worry!!! That fingernail thing happens with tetracyclines comsetimes and it reverses usually. I had it at a certain point on longterm Doxy and it went completely away. It was creepy though and I also thought they would fall off. There was an old thread on sci.med, an old newsgroup, about it.
The hivey thing I have also heard of and since it started before your tettracycline is most likely a herxing of it but I would see a dermatologist if you can and keep your doctor notitifed of any changes in it at all.
The fingernail thing is gross, huh*)!*)! It does not tend to be permanent- it usually goes away- mine were like that for 3 months and then it passed- was weird!!!!!!!!!!
The technical term for this nail lifting is called Onycholysis and here is some info on it as follows-
IMPORTANT- this happens as a result of the interplay betwen the medication and the sun- so if this is happening you can help reverse it by wearing gloves and being more careful about the sun*!)*)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can also get brown streaks in your nails- Best wishes, Sarah http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/onycholysis.htm PHOTO: nail from the nail bed.
Nail lifting (onycholysis) is the spontaneous separation (detachment) of the fingernail or toenail from the nail bed at the end of the nail (distal) and/or on the sides of the nail (lateral). The appearance of nail lifting may resemble a half-moon, or the free edge of the nail may rise up like a hood. Nail lifting creates space under the nail that gathers dirt and debris made of protein in the nails (keratin). As water accumulates under the nail, bacteria and yeast can also cause the area to become infected.
Nail lifting may occur with other skin conditions, such as various forms of eczema (including hand dermatitis), psoriasis, and lichen planus. Nail lifting may also occur with underlying medical problems, including thyroid disease, pregnancy, some forms of infection, and rarely some forms of cancer. Other possible causes are injury to the nails, use of nail cosmetics, and aggressive manicures.
Nail lifting may be caused by some medications, such as chemotherapy and drugs made from vitamin A.
Some medications (commonly tetracycline) may interact with sunlight to cause nail lifting.
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Nail lifting may affect people of all ages. Women are affected more frequently than men.
Nail lifting occurs on the fingernails and the toenails. The nail separates from the end (distal) and/or the sides (lateral) of the nail bed and may even separate completely from the finger.
View high quality medical pictures of Onycholysis
Thoroughly clip away as much of the detached nail as possible, repeating this at weekly intervals. Gently brush the nail and surrounding tissue with plain soap and water once daily, rinsing carefully, and then drying the area with a hair dryer. Protect the nails by wearing plastic gloves worn over light cotton gloves to avoid frequent contact with water. Use any mild cleanser as an alternative to water and soap.
See your doctor if the nail lifting becomes bothersome. Your doctor may perform tests for conditions or infection that may be causing the nail lifting.
In addition to the self-care measures noted above, your doctor may prescribe:
Treatment for any skin conditions, medical problems, or exposures that may be causing your nail lifting. If bacterial or fungal infection is present, you may require antibacterial or antifungal treatment. References: Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1062, 1064. New York: Mosby, 2003.
Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed. pp.2001, 2003. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Last Modified: 18 Oct 2007
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All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I just thought I would add that I have developed allergies to things I never was allergic to before.
Fortunately it went away after about 9 months or so... but weird so maybe there is something you are exposing yourself to at that time of day that you have developed an allergy to.
- but this is just a thought from a fellow lyme patient
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