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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 16, 2016)
8 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JULY 16, 2016 TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH Green nail syndrome is not easy to treat DEAR DR. ROACH: For the past four months, I have had an infection around the cuticle of my right index finger. There is green coloration under the nail near the cuticle, and the nail grew rather deformed. I am a garden- er and a homemaker, so I tend to wash my hands often. The urgent-care doc- tor I saw prescribed clindamycin and mupirocin cream. I also was told to soak my finger twice a day. My fami- ly doctor took a culture and, because she did not know if I had a fungus or an infection, prescribed Lamisil and levofloxacin. She also recommended saltwater or peroxide soaks twice daily. The culture showed pseudomonas as the cause of the infection. With no improvement, I saw an orthopedic doctor. He told me to con- tinue the soaking and the mupirocin cream. On my second visit, he lanced the area between the cuticle and the SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You face the possibility of raising your relationship to another level. However, your partner might demand that you make promises for which you’re not sure you’re ready. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) As changes continue, expect things to get a little more hectic at your workplace. An unexpected travel opportunity could open new career prospects. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Confront the person who caused your hurt feelings and demand a full expla- nation for his or her actions. You’ll not only recover your self-esteem, but you’ll also gain the respect of others. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) That personal problem in the workplace is nail bed. There was improvement, but the symptoms soon return. The orthopedic doctor spoke of removing the nail as a possible solu- tion to clearing up the infection. Is this my next step, or is there something else I can do? — P.B. ANSWER: It sounds as though you have the aptly named “green nail syn- drome,” which is caused by the bacte- ria you mention, Pseudomonas aerug- inosa, and which often is complicated by a paronychia, an infection along the side of the nail. Your orthopedic surgeon is quite right that sometimes the nail needs to be removed; howev- er, many people can avoid that unpleasant procedure (I had to per- form it once) with ciprofloxacin (the best oral antibiotic against pseudomonas), antiseptic soaks and by keeping the hands meticulously dry, using gloves and even using a hairdryer to dry the nails after soaking or cleaning. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 67- year-old male who has had mild to moderate psoriasis for the past seven years or so. I have been avoiding the very effective biological drugs because of the scary possible side effects. Instead, I use anti-itch topical creams and lotions, some with corti- sone. In researching the topic, I ran across a treatment called Fumaderm that is available in Germany, but I have never heard of it being used in the U.S. — C.S. ANSWER: Psoriasis is an inflam- matory skin condition that can range from annoying to life-threatening in severity. Psoriasis and its common complication, psoriatic arthritis, together are a highly destructive arthritis that often requires powerful treatment: biologic agents, like adali- mumab (Humira) or etanercept (Enbrel). These do have the possibili- ty of serious side effects, such as reac- tivation of tuberculosis. Fumaderm has been used in Germany for 19 years with a general- ly good safety record. There have been reports of a disease, PML, caused by brain virus, associated with Fumaderm, although it isn’t clear whether the Fumaderm predisposed the individuals to develop this infec- tion. No medicine is free of the possibil- ity of side effects, and treatment for psoriasis should be appropriate for the degree of severity of the illness. If you are doing well enough with your cur- rent treatment, I wouldn’t recommend trying a treatment with a higher risk of serious side effects. compounded by someone’s biased interference. Stand your ground, and you’ll soon find allies gathering around you. LEO (July 23 to August 22) You don’t accept disapproval easily. But instead of hiding out in your den to lick your wounded pride, turn the crit- icism into a valuable lesson for future use. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) That former friend you thought you’d cut out of your life is still affecting other relationships. Counter his or her lies with the truth. Your friends are ready to listen. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) What appears to be an unfair situ- ation might simply be the result of a misunderstanding. If you feel some- thing is out of balance, by all means, correct it. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A stalled relationship won’t budge until you make the first move. Your partner offers a surprising explanation about what got it mired down in the first place. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A co-worker shares some startling news, but before you can use it to your advantage, make sure it’s true. The weekend favors family matters. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Your usual conservative approach to family situations might not work at this time. Keep an open mind about developments, and you might be pleasantly surprised. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Plans might have to be put on hold because of a family mem- ber’s problems. Don’t hesitate to get involved. Your help could make all the difference. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Relationships in the home and in the workplace need your careful attention during this period. Be careful not to allow misunderstandings to create problems. Siuslaw N ews ! 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