Fingernails and toenails getting long

Jeff H

My DW won't trim her fingernails and toenails. She won't allow me to trim them either. She's not quite as bad as how Howard Hughes was. 🤣 Any ideas to this one? Thanks.

harshedbuzz

Would she agree to a spa day mani/pedi?

dcare45

That's a good question and a good suggestion. We have a PCP appointment next week. I was considering a referral to a podiatrist, DW has odd coloration on her feet also. When we were taking care of MIL in the 90s I kind of remember taking here to a podiatrist for stuff like that,

brupt30

I was shocked to see the condition of my DH's feet when I started paying closer attention to his cognitive decline. His toenails were super long/ingrown and he had a fungal infection. After a round of medication and quarterly visits to the podiatrist to cut his nails, his feet are now looking really good. I was never aware before that podiatrists will do this - my DH does not mind and it helps a lot.

notequipped

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/278613#Comment_278613

Did they give your DH oral meds for the nail fungus? My Mom has nail fungus on most of her fingernails and I believe some of her toes, too.

H1235

We took mom to the podiatrist. I wonder f you might find she is more cooperative with a stranger. That sometimes happens. If she is diabetic it may even be covered by insurance.

wose

I took my DH to the podiatrist last week and he was friendly, cooperative and even engaging. Who would have thunk? I was doing it myself for him, but his aggression got a little too much. I’m so glad I made the appointment and took him even tho he said he didn’t feel any difference. They were quite long. He does take metformin for diabetes so I only had to pay our copay of $25. We can go back every 3 months.

Jeff H

Thank you all for the suggestions. She has an salon appointment next week for her hair. They do nails so I'm going to ask if they can just clip them. They already know she has Alzheimer's and they are very good with her.

LJCHR

My DH had the same problem. He has never wanted anyone to touch his feet. When one of his toenails begin growing into the bottom of his toe, I made an appointment with a podiatrist. He loves the doctor and gets clipped every 90 days, with massage, etc. Medicare pays for his appointments because he has neuropathy. He looks forward to going back. Who would have thought it?

Chance Rider

I was able to find a local nail salon that cuts my husband’s nails every 4 - 5 weeks. My husband really likes the owner and she is so attentive and friendly with him (knows he has ALZ but doesn’t mention it). Crazy thing is she only charges $10 to soak his feet, trim his nails and then massage foot cream into his feet. She has finally accepted that I refuse to pay only $10.

Right next door to the nail salon is a hair salon where I have his bald head fuzz shaved and his beard trimmed.

We live in a rural area and when I can no longer get him to appointments the nail salon owner will come to us. Talk about really lucking out. He loves his salon days.

Dirigo

Talked my DH into getting a pedicure. Turns out they do lots of old guys. When he saw that, it made it okay. And they are very kind.

RetiredTeacher

We just went to our PCP after I saw my husband's extremely long, curling fungus toe nails. He even had a blood blister on the bottom of one of hos toes from pressure. I had no idea his toenails were that long because he won't let me see his feet…now I know why. PCP wouldn't trim toes and Kaiser only does it if you have diabetes. He suggested going to a podiatrist. I called around and prices here run $225 to $325!!! That's a lot if money but his toes have to be taken care of and a nail salon will not touch his toes. They are so thick and so long, it really needs a podiatrist, at least until thy are under control, then possibly a pedicure. Making a podiatry appt today.

ronda b

Why won't your ins. Pay for it? They should. Podiatrist are specialist. Check with your insurance.

brupt30

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/278616#Comment_278616

Yes, the oral meds cleared it up right away. Our current podiatrist says that the topical treatments simply don't penetrate the nail enough to clear up the infection, despite the fact that most doctors recommend it! He said that the perported risks to liver associated with the oral meds are from some outdated studies from over 20 years ago. Currently the oral meds do not seem to increase any risk to the liver, although you should definitely not take them if you already have liver issues. They should not be prescribed until blood work confirms healthy liver functions.

brupt30

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/278667#Comment_278667

Our Medicare Advantage plan covers this, not sure how the doc submits the claim

Chance Rider

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/278659#Comment_278659

That’s pretty much what happened with my husband’s nails. One toenail was thickened with fungus that led to bleeding into the curled under toenail making it look like it was dead. PCP wouldn’t touch it, referred us to a podiatrist. It also didn’t help that he had such bad hammer toes that he needed a procedure to release the tendons on each toe. That procedure was pretty easy on him. Once healed and the podiatrist had his nails under control she said he was fine going to the nail salon.

dcare45

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/278674#Comment_278674

That's good information. When I talked with our PCP he mentioned the liver issue and the need for monthly blood/liver monitoring for oral meds. Stated the topical meds were not really effective. We have an appointment with PCP next week and I think I should ask for a referral to a Podiatrist.

RetiredTeacher

Just a caution, I tried the oral antifungal and got terribleI abdominal cramping and intestinal discomfort. If your LO does try them,keep a close eye out for that

persevere

I used to take my wife to a nail salon but it got to be too much for her. I then found a lady who has a mobile solan. She’s fantastic. It’s a little more expensive but worth it to have her come to the house.

Groovy's Girl

There are people in town who will come to your house to give a pedicure.