Fungal nail problem

I had chemotherapy for triple negative breast cancer ten years ago. I wore the frozen feet slippers to reduce neuropathy side effects. By the end my big toe nail had gone white but didn’t fall off. I know it’s common to loose nails during chemo. I just assumed it was a dead nail and would grow out. Two years later it hadn’t so my Gp sent toe nail clippings off for culture and it came back as Paecilomyces lilacinus. At the time I googled it and was very worried but my Gp was quite relaxed about it and recommended either letting it grow out, trying antifungal nail varnish or antifungal tablets but these could affect my liver. At the time I decided to try the nail varnish. Then somehow I managed to forget how worried I was and I’ve lived with it ever since. My nail has improved hugely over the last ten years but it’s still slightly yellow at the top. For various reasons I have remembered the infection recently and got very worried about it. I’m worried my house will be full of fungal spores that my son or husband could pick up. My adult son is due to come home and stay for a shoulder operation. Online it says it’s incredibly rare and generally only affects immunocompromised patients but I’m panicking. So just wondering how common it now is in chemo patients and if more is known about it. Long term I would like to get rid of it from my toe nail. So interested in other peoples experiences. Thank you.

  • Hello, and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to learn that you needed treatment for breast cancer a few years ago. That must have been a difficult time for you.

    From what I have found, the information about Paecilomyces lilacinus and chemotherapy is limited and often presented as individual case reports, as this is rare.

    You mentioned that you are concerned for your husband and son and are worried that your house has fungal spores. I was unsure what your concern is for them. However, if they are immunocompromised and have any health concerns, they may find it helpful to speak with their GP.

    As this is a rare situation, you may find it difficult to hear from other people in a similar situation. However, you may also find it more helpful to post on the living with cancer thread, where more people may read your post and may be able to share their experience.

    I am sorry I cannot be more helpful and wish you all the best with this.

    Jemma

  • Thank you for your reply. I shall speak to my Gp.