I just asked my nurse this question yesterday! She really didn't have an answer for me. I burned my arm cooking about a month ago...just a little burn. It still is not totally healed. Also, I got a paper cut on my finger last week. The area got very swollen and red. Hot to the touch, etc. The redness and swelling has gone down but the cut looks like I did it yesterday!! It will be interesting to see if anyone has a take on this problem.
I also never had any trouble healing/fighting off infection until I went on tx. I think it has something to do with your white cell count being reduced. Interferon is great for killing viruses - not so much bacteria.
While on tx I had to use Augmentin for one infection. Some people end up in the hospital on IV antibiotics if they let things go to long. Even though my WBC and other white counts bounced back to normal after treating, I still had to watch myself on this for quite a while.
I seem to get cuts very easily and it does take longer for them to heal. The lower WBC would point to a cause in my case. And an additional drain on my immune system.
It's probably because your neutrophils are low (relatively speaking). Neutrophils (also called ANC's) are a type of white blood cell that is responsible for gobbling up bacteria and fungus (there are several types of white blood cells, not just one). If they weren't around we'd die from infections. Taking interferon can greatly reduce the neutrophil count within your body, which can cause the very slow healing cuts and scratches you're experiencing. If your neutrophil count goes low enough, your IFN dose will be redcuced or stopped altogether. I've had the same slow healing cuts/scratches during my treatment (stopped all meds 3 weeks ago). But now that my neutrophils are starting to rebound I'm noticing a lot of those little cuts and sores healing right up.
Me too! Thought it was just me!
Shari
I got in the habit of using Neosporin and a Band-Aid on every wound I had while on tx. It worked great.
Good question. I have little coordination (complete klutz) and I tend to get little cuts and scratches all over, all the time. During treatment these did not heal the way they used to. I tried using hydrogen peroxide and this helped but has left me with a bit of dark discoloration where the scrapes were. It has taken close to one year and finally these spots are starting to fade. I don't recommend using the hydrogen peroxide. My doctor was not really impressed with my lack of healing, but I know it was due to treatment. Now that treatment is over, my many bumps, bruises and scrapes are healing better.
Kathy
I have the same problem. Even the tiniest of paper cuts takes weeks to heal. And if i DO get a more serious injury, like slicing my finger on a broken glass, it takes forever to stop bleeding.
I've read that we're supposed to be careful NOT to get cuts and scrapes while on TX for exactly this reason.
And I'm on neupogen coz my ANC and WBC have been at ALERT since starting TX 6 months ago.
I WOULD try to be as careful as possible. Use gloves if you have to.
Wyntre
don't know anything about br.
not to scare you, BUT, if your wbc and anc are low that's even more of a reason to protect your skin as much as possible coz what seems like just a little scrape can turn into a full-blown infection that could land you in the hospital.
It is serious and you do have to be careful.
it's one reason i can't work now - can't be around hundreds of bacteria-infested kids coz i'm way too susceptible to infection. same thing can happen with any external skin wounds.
So try to take it easy and if you do get a cut DON"T IGNORE IT!!!!! Douse it with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, slather it with neosporin and cover it with a bandaid! For real!
wyntre
Thanks to all, I knew I was not alone on this one and thought it might be the wbc but was unsure. My wbc as well as everything else on the cbc
Alcohol and peroxide should not be poured onto a wound. It damages tissue.
Here is a blurp. I am sure there are more. I am allergic to mycin so I can't use neosporin, I am allergic to adhesives, but can use paper tape. I swear by bacitracin.
http://www.medicinenet.com/cuts_scrapes_and_puncture_wounds/article.htm
Really, take care, the last thing you need is an infection.
WOW!!!!!
Thanks for the heads up on that! i had NO idea.
So wash with water and then apply antibiotic cream?
wyntre
katerika Thanks for the link. It is amazing how the things we use to take for granted or not give a second thought about really come into focus while going through tx.
Have a good day!
jasper