My husband who was diagnosed with Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) a few years ago is having problems with very thin skin on his wrist and arm. His skin bruises at the slightest touch, but now skin falls off and consequently it bleeds a lot. I am trying to dress the area with gentle border dressings. But unsure if i am doing the right thing need advice please. He is reluctant to contact his haematologist as he thinks this will mean yet another trip to hospital.
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Good morning @Mich
Thank you for your post and welcome to our forum.
We are so sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis of Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML))). We can imagine this was a shock for you both. If you would like to talk to one of our nurses, please do get in touch via support@bloodcancer.org.uk or you can call us on 0808 2080 888 if you would like to talk through any of this.
With regards to your husband’s skin we can imagine this is uncomfortable and frustrating for him. We can appreciate that he may not want to go to the hospital, however, it is best to contact his team about this. Could we ask if he has a clinical nurse specialist or key worker who you can contact? It is best to keep his team updated so that they can provide the best support they can.
They may need to assess these wounds and they may also be able to give you supplies to help with this at home such as dressings and sterile water, or they could arrange a district nursing team to assist with this.
As this sounds like this problem may be getting worse it is very important to inform his haematology team as soon as you can.
Do take care & warm wishes,
Emma (support services nurse)
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Hi Emma thank you for your quick response and advice. We did email his consultant this morning but she replied that she is off sick for two weeks from 23rd december. And to resend email nearer to when she is back. Until now my husband has not needed any support like he needs now. So might have to contact the hospital haematology and see who else can advise.. also thank you for the number for nurses
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Oops sent before finishing… so thanks for the number for nurses to talk to.
It is also new year tomorrow so dont expect anyone to reply until friday..
Regards michelle
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Good afternoon @Mich
Thanks for your reply.
Sorry to hear that your husband’s consultant is off sick.
Perhaps there is a haematology nurse at the hospital, key contact or ward number he has been given that he can call? Or there may be someone covering the consultant’s phone number if you have this.
Another option would be if you have the switchboard/ main number for the hospital he attends you can call this and ask to be put through to the haematology medical secretary who you can explain the situation to, or ask them for the haematology clinical nurse specialist and they will be able to liaise with the doctors for you.
If he is on treatment there may be a triage service, sometimes known as the acute oncology service/ AOS line or something similar that he may have been informed of when commencing treatment that he could also phone.
Take care,
Emma (support services nurse)
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@Mich I can empathise with your husband as I have similar but not to the same extend. I have myelofibrosis and get Purpura on the back of my hand which can bleed at the most inconvenient times, at a Tesco checkout, an airport luggage carousel and someone shaking my hand to name some.
My consultant says it is not a symptom of myelofibrosis. My GP did refer me to dermatology who advised it can arise for various reasons and there is no treatment for it.
The only think I can add is to cover any wound with Vaseline when it scabs which protects it. And I keep a plaster in my wallet so I have one to hand if needed
.
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Hi jonpd thanks for advice on vaseline. Mich
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Perhaps you’ve been to hospital or at least a GP about it by now but I think that you do really need to go like it or not as all kinds of infections can get into damaged skin.I don’t know about Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) and the skin but I have had a lot of unpleasant experiences with rare Mycosis Fungoides T Cell Lymphoma and infected skin.Hard to say but they might refer you to Dermatology which would seem logical if the skin is compromised .I use topical steroids,various antiseptic creams ,Potassium Permanganate soaks and emoliant creams.The stronger topical steroids are prescription only as is Potassium Permanganate.