Split nails after chemotherapy

Hello Ellie1

Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Adele, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I see that you have joined a few of our online forums – I hope you have found them a helpful and supportive environment.

I am sorry to hear that your husband is still getting some side effects, 6 months after completing his chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy can have wide-ranging effects.  Some cancer drugs can cause changes to people’s nails.  Many people notice ridges across their nail. These can correspond to periods when they were not growing normally because of the impact of the drugs.  Others get white or dark lines across their nails.  The nails can become more prone to breaking and on occasions they can become loose or fall out.

Usually, these changes disappear as the nails grow out but it can take many months.  It can take 6 months to regrow a fingernail and a year and a half to grow a toenail.  For the majority of people, the new nail will look normal but occasionally it does not grow back properly.

As your husband’s nails are painful and have split, we would recommend that he shows them to his doctor to ensure they are not infected.  Similarly, if he thinks they are not growing back normally he should let his doctor know.

There are simple things that can help, including keeping his nails short, using moisturisers and wearing gloves when doing any housework or gardening.  There are some simple suggestions about how to look after your nails on our website.

Peripheral neuropathy is also a common side effect with some chemotherapy drugs.  Once more this is something that generally improves with time, as the nerves slowly recover.  However, for some people the nerve damage can be permanent.

When people have peripheral neuropathy is it important to take some precautions to reduce the risk of further injury and to help ease discomfort.  These include wearing well fitted shoes, regularly inspecting feet for cuts or broken areas and being careful with hot water, to prevent burns.

There are treatments that can help with the pain, including medications and exercise. Once more it is best for your husband to talk this through with the GP who can assess the severity and impact of the nerve damage.

Some people benefit from referral to a physio or occupational therapist.  An occupational therapist can help if your husband is struggling with everyday tasks, for example doing up buttons.  If your doctor thinks this would be useful, they can arrange the referral.

I hope this information is helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

Best wishes, Adele

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

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