finger ulcers

It’s taken nine months, but the ulcer on my left ring finger has finally healed—for now. I must add the caveat, because I never know when the skin will deteriorate again.

But for now, it feels great to be out of bandages on that finger. Last January, it became infected, I lost the nail and was in considerable pain. My go-to antibiotic failed to clear it, so I saw an ID specialist who put me on Levaquin, which is powerful but cannot be combined with Ibuprofin, which I rely on for my joint pain. It also comes with risks of tendon tears. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, but I ended up needing Gabapentin to manage nerve pain. Visits to our hospital’s Wound Clinic finally helped me turn the corner with some new dressings, but it has been one very long haul.

I saw my NP at the Wound Clinic about ten days ago and asked her advice for weaning my finger from its bandages. This is always a tricky step. If I go without too soon, my ulcers inevitably get worse. She encouraged me to try using a moisturizing cream (Eucerin is my initial go-to) without a bandage at night, and I finally worked up the courage to do that a few days ago. At night the risk is always for the uncovered ulcer to dry out and start smarting, costing precious sleep.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen, either. I’ve been able to keep off the bandage since the weekend, even did some housework and had no issues. And so, I’m grateful to be at this point, at least for the time being. Even with scleroderma, my skin can still heal, which is a miracle in itself. And any break from bandaged fingers is a much appreciated vacation.

Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.

There are a lot of reasons to complain about the heat this summer—too much, too humid, too risky. But there is also one big blessing for me: my finger ulcers are healing.

In particular, the left ring finger ulcer that I’ve been nursing since January through a lost nail and several rounds of antibiotics is much improved. A few visits to our hospital’s wound clinic were extremely helpful, especially learning the benefits of a special petroleum-jelly-infused gauze, typically used for burns, that has made a huge difference in managing the moisture level of the ulcer.

Keeping my ulcers moist but not too moist is always the key—and the trickiest part of this process. If the ulcer is not moist enough under the dressing, the skin tightens and becomes quite painful. But if it is too moist, the skin breaks down even further, takes longer to heal, and invites infections.

I also discovered that when my skin is extremely irritated, plain petroleum jelly is better than Aquafor, which has been my go-to ointment for decades. It contains lanolin alcohol, which can cause me issues. I confirmed this with wound clinic staff, and they said it’s not an uncommon reaction.

Another very useful medication that I received from the wound clinic is a steroid ointment, Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.5% (requires a prescription). This can only be used for seven days at a stretch, then you have to take a break. But it really calms inflamed skin.

I change my bandages twice daily, using whatever combination of dressings is most appropriate for that particular ulcer, a process that takes about a half-hour at present. Atop any ointment I place a small piece of very soft gauze, then anchor it with breathable fabric bandages. Right now, I’m down to four bandaged fingers during the day and three at night (one needs extra protection from typing).

My right thumb is my current problem child, with calcium bits beneath the surface, so I’ll bring that issue to the wound clinic this week when I review my situation. I also need advice for how to ween the left ring finger from dressings so the nail can (maybe) grow back.

I’ll never be free of my bandages. I’ve come to accept that fact. But I’m grateful, as always, for access to excellent medical care. And glad, even when it’s too hot, even for me, that summer is here, for now.

Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.