Hand Foot Syndrome
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 5:02 am
Sorry because I'm sure this has been discussed, but I couldn't find any old threads with this title.
So I had a 5FU infusion in the hospital back in mid-June; after that, I've been taking oral Xeloda (Capecitabine). It seemed like things were going fine, but about a week ago, I noticed something strange on the BACK of my hand!
Let me explain: I'm an artist (and I also do my own acrylic nails) and I probably use glue (including krazy glue) more than the average person. About a week ago, I looked at my right hand and noticed that there was (what I thought was) dried up krazy glue on the first knuckle, on the 2nd knuckle, and also a little smear (really does look like a smear, about 1/2" long) nearby my wrist. I wish I could take a photo to show you guys, but I'm writing from my phone, and I only see the option to embed an image that's already uploaded to a server. I don't have FTP access from my phone- does anybody??
Anyway, it *looks* like the glue spilled on these areas and dried while my hand was flat (not clenched into a fist). Please bear with me while I explain. So imagine you put some krazy glue on your knuckle while your hand is laid flat on a table. Allow the glue to dry completely. After that, make a fist. The glue will split and crack when it has to stretch around your knuckle. Therefore, areas of skin on your knuckle that are normally hidden while your hand is flat, will now be exposed. And these areas will look totally normal, and not have any glue on them.
That's exactly what my knuckles look like. And to make everything more prominent, it looks like the dried glue has attracted some dirt. That's the only reason why it even got my attention. The skin is dark in those areas. No itching, no pain, and once I discovered it, I just left it alone because I'm kind of accustomed to having glue/paint/whatever on my hands. It just comes off on its own - no need to irritate my skin or hurt myself trying to peel it off.
I googled hand-foot syndrome, and it's described as being on the palms of hands and soles of feet. It also mentions that moisturization of the skin is necessary as a preventative. I live in Los Angeles. We really don't get dry skin here. No need for lotion/cream when you get out of the shower. So I thought that the moisturization requirement didn't really apply to me.
This "stuff" on my hand hasn't been bothering me at all, other than the fact that it's kind of unsightly. I went in for chemo today, however, and another oncologist (not mine) said that it's hand/foot syndrome! But it doesn't fit the descriptions of what I'm reading on the internet! I'm scared to try to peel it off. I could injure myself and make it worse. Please give your feedback! I put Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula on my hands and feet tonight. I love how it smells like chocolate.
So I had a 5FU infusion in the hospital back in mid-June; after that, I've been taking oral Xeloda (Capecitabine). It seemed like things were going fine, but about a week ago, I noticed something strange on the BACK of my hand!
Let me explain: I'm an artist (and I also do my own acrylic nails) and I probably use glue (including krazy glue) more than the average person. About a week ago, I looked at my right hand and noticed that there was (what I thought was) dried up krazy glue on the first knuckle, on the 2nd knuckle, and also a little smear (really does look like a smear, about 1/2" long) nearby my wrist. I wish I could take a photo to show you guys, but I'm writing from my phone, and I only see the option to embed an image that's already uploaded to a server. I don't have FTP access from my phone- does anybody??
Anyway, it *looks* like the glue spilled on these areas and dried while my hand was flat (not clenched into a fist). Please bear with me while I explain. So imagine you put some krazy glue on your knuckle while your hand is laid flat on a table. Allow the glue to dry completely. After that, make a fist. The glue will split and crack when it has to stretch around your knuckle. Therefore, areas of skin on your knuckle that are normally hidden while your hand is flat, will now be exposed. And these areas will look totally normal, and not have any glue on them.
That's exactly what my knuckles look like. And to make everything more prominent, it looks like the dried glue has attracted some dirt. That's the only reason why it even got my attention. The skin is dark in those areas. No itching, no pain, and once I discovered it, I just left it alone because I'm kind of accustomed to having glue/paint/whatever on my hands. It just comes off on its own - no need to irritate my skin or hurt myself trying to peel it off.
I googled hand-foot syndrome, and it's described as being on the palms of hands and soles of feet. It also mentions that moisturization of the skin is necessary as a preventative. I live in Los Angeles. We really don't get dry skin here. No need for lotion/cream when you get out of the shower. So I thought that the moisturization requirement didn't really apply to me.
This "stuff" on my hand hasn't been bothering me at all, other than the fact that it's kind of unsightly. I went in for chemo today, however, and another oncologist (not mine) said that it's hand/foot syndrome! But it doesn't fit the descriptions of what I'm reading on the internet! I'm scared to try to peel it off. I could injure myself and make it worse. Please give your feedback! I put Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula on my hands and feet tonight. I love how it smells like chocolate.
