Norma, I can start at the top of my head (thin straight hair) and go all the way to my toes finding something I don't like every step of the way. with the toes there is a fungal infection that I have been fighting for years. with regular applications of a treatment I can keep it from looking too bad (strange, I just noticed treatments for nail fungus in the ads to the left of the page).
I have wondered if PKD causes other deformities since it comes from a genetic mutation or whatever. I mean we don't look freakish but I'll bet most of us have something we don't like about our bodies.
as to your fingernails, there may be a fungal infection, sometimes stemming from fingernail treatments such as wraps or tips. you might want to ask a dermatologist.
one treatment I recommend that costs practically nothing and is easy would be to mix Listerine (or a generic, brand doesn't matter but the Listerine smells really important and seems to help) and cider vinegar, half and half, and apply several times a day. you can soak or use a brush applicator. it smells bad but the smell goes away quickly. the antiseptic cleans and the vinegar changes the pH. stay away from nail polish which seals the nails and keeps them from light and air. keep your hands in your pockets if you don't want them seen.
back to my deformities, once I had a transplant my flimsy fingernails got stronger. my nephrologist said the kidneys have a lot to do with your hair and nails. sure wish my hair got thick and wavy.

My nails have become discolured- too white nearest the ftnger and with a dark line round the ends. I believe this is to do with the kidney problems. My finger nails also seem very brittle and constntly break which they didn't used to do. My skin is incredibly dry too. Possibly it's all related.
Happy New Year everyone!
Patricia.

I have read that nail deformities are common in poeple with PKD. Mine have begun to grow out flat...if that makes any sense. This means they break more easily so I have to keep them very short. I am thankful that I have always had "good hair" full and lots of it. but I have heard that might change during dialysis or after transplant. Darn! no matter how terrible eveything else was looking--at least I had my hair! :)

thanks for your comments girls. I too have a head full of thick, curly hair. It's so dry now that I have to apply a leave in conditionier several times a day, yuk! Helen, I've tried just about every treatment there is for a fungal infection. It works for a while, but then comes back worse than it started. Too bad for me and I'am not complaining, just venting, haha Have a wonderful New Year everyone, I sure hope we all can stay sober or something close to it. I'am thinking I might not even try..:)

Lots of hugs,
Norma..

norma67,
Have you been to a dermatologist? It doesn't sound like it's a fungal infection because the prednisone helped it and that wouldn't occur with a fungal infection.

There is a possibility that it is psoriasis. There are a lot of peole who have psoriasis that only affects their nails. It can cause a thick build-up under the nails and cause them to lift. They can also become brittle, crack and split. Prednisone is very affective for treating psoriasis (it used to be a treatment of choice, years ago) so you would definately see an improvement while on it. It's also very common for it to come right back when you go off of it. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, which is why steroids help keep it in check. Are you experiencing any joint pain? Often people with psoriasis involving the nails, develop a type of arthritis related to the psoriasis. As a matter of fact, those who do not have psoriasis of the nails, rarely develop the arthritis associated with it, so that would be another indicator that it is psoriasis.

Your dermatologist can take a sample of the tissue under the nail and have it tested to rule out a fungal infection. There are some topical applications for psoriasis that work well on the nails of the feet, especially.

Hope this helps. Happy New Year! Have a great day!

Tami

Hi Tammy and thank you so much for reminding me of that. My ortho doc once told me he thought that I had psoriatic arthritis, which is just what you are talking about. It was years ago, but he never did anything about it and I totally forgot about it. I sure do have joint pain, thats why I was taking the dose pks, also have spinal stenosis, but it's manageable and I keep on moving in spite of it all. I bet you are so right about my nails being affected from it. I knew that but somehow managed to forget about it. My dad had psoriasis very bad, really bad, thick patches on all his joints, it was awful. Everything we have seems to be genetic in nature. Anyway thanks for the good info and I'll get myself to a dermatologist pronto.

Happy New Year to you!
Norma...

Patricia,
Your white nails are a classic sign of kidney dysfunction and severe anemia. I hope and pray you are seen by a good nephrology consultant soon and get the treatment you need.

Best wishes for a happy new year and the very best of medical care!
Ruth

Norma67,
I have had moderate to severe psoriasis since I was 7 years old. I didn't really have nail involvement until I was in my 20's and then in my late 30's the arthritis started kicking in gear.

About five years ago, they came out with a new line of drugs called biologics that really help with the psoriais and the joint pain. My skin has been almost completely clear since I've been on them and I am forever thankful to the great scientists and researchers who came up with them, but the best part is how well it helps my joint pain! I take a medication called Humira (it's an injection every other week) and it has been amazing. I can definately tell the difference and can do more things without the pain.

Even though my function is down to 24%, the neph is still okay with my shots, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to continue this medication when I have my transplant. I hope so, cause I'm really scared of how life will be without it. I see my transplant docs on the 29th and this will be one of my priority questions for them.

I hope your dermatologist has some good ideas for helping with your nails and your joint pain issues.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Tami

Thanks for your comment, Ruth. I did tell the consultant about the problem with my nails some time ago but she just said that "people with kidney problems always get problems with their nails" and left it at that. The GP is concerned about me being anaemic and I have been on a course of iron tablets for a while but it seems my iron levels are still low.
I have felt dreadful all over Christmas with a streaming cold, then a cough and finally, yesterday morning, vomiting. So I had nothing to eat yesterday and haven't had much today.
Today has been quite icy here. I'm just hoping it is a bit milder by the 12th of January when I have to travel to see the new specialist.
Thanks for all the kind thoughts.
Best wishes to all,
Patricia.

Hi,Patricia!

To add my 2 cents, my nails got progressively brittle as my kidney function got progressively worse.

After my transplant, my nails were pretty much back to normal.

Peace and Blessings!
CoachRichie
http://www.InnerGameOfPKD.com

Thanks for your input coach!

Yes, I just want to add that I also have some fingernail issues, and have read somewhere that it comes with the territory of PKD. I try to keep then short and filed, so that they don't catch on things. And as it gets so dry in Alaska in the winter, that only adds to the issues, and of course, gardening in the summer.

If there are any fugal issues, Tea Tree oil is good for that....

Blessings
Heather