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I just got over shingles, 54 year old female. I''m being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with Rituxan. I have sharp fingernail-like protrusions growing out of 3 fingertips on each hand and 3 toes on each foot. They are very painful and leave open sores on the tips. I have been pulling them out (VERY painful) because I bleed when they poke through. Help
HelloCustomer
You are suffering from a condition known as Actinic keratosis.
This is a condition in which the skin cells form hard crusty lumps, often with a hard white covering , making the lump look like a fingernail or a tooth.
This condition occurs frequently in areas which are exposed to the sun and also in individuals in whom the immune system is suppressed. In your case, your immune system has been suppressed by Rituxan. Since Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, medicines like Rituxan, which is an immuno-supppressant are often prescribed.
The risks with actinic keratosis is that it is a premalignant condition of skin cancer.
Please consult a dermatologist for a biopsy for an accurate diagnosis.
If it is actinic keratosis, you may need to consult your doctor for a review of Rituxan.
To know more about Actinic Keratosis, please see:
- http://www.medicinenet.com/actinic_keratosis/article.htm
- http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/actinic_keratosis.html
I hope this helps.
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These protrusions are like spikey needles. Is that the same thing? Will they go away. Is it from the shingles
Yes, actinic keratosis can be like spiky needles.
No, it is not from the shingles but are more likely to be in response to a suppressed immune system from the Rituxan.
They will likely go away if Rituxan is stopped. But you can also consult a dermatologist for crysurgery or freezing or chemical peel treatment of the keratosis.
Doctor (MD)
Twenty years experience in active private practice