Nails

Hi Betsy, 

My nails are also currently ok but I am looking to buy something to help them remain ok. I've heard on this forum good reports about polybalm and evonail so I'm going to ask the nurse at my appointment tomorrow which she would recommend. Other ladies with more experience may give you more information but thought I'd let you know about these products.

Best wishes, 

Becky x

Evo nail worked for me. But my unit sent the beautician to chat with me during my first chemo session and her advice was to start the care immediately. I text my husband who went to the pharmacy and the product was waiting when I got in.( He is not a romantic man but that really showed me how much he cared!)

I followed the instructions.....twice a day for six, remove with non acetone remover, oil with argan oil, repeat cycle from next day until a few weeks after I'd finished the radiotherapy too so probably about 8 months but the result was worth it. I didn't lose a nail...both finger and toe!

The other advice I successfully followed was to use the mouth wash, every day, at least twice and more if the mouth tingled, from that first day. I did that too and coincidence or not, no ulcers or sores. I did have some very unpleasant side effects over which I had no control but these two things did prevent two further problems. I think the best advice was to start at the beginning and continue beyond the treatment even though I didn't have the problems on Day 1. 

If anyone is reading this who about to begin chemo, I really think these preventions....evo nail and mouthwash .......are worth considering. You have nothing to lose from trying and perhaps you will save yourself a lot of discomfort. Contemporaries of mine at the same point in treatment had agonizing mouth ulcers and losing nails can be both painful and demoralizing so spending half an hour a day on yourself from the beginning might just be worth it!

Hope all your treatments pass without too many complications. It will be over soon.

Love Karen

Hi Betsy

One important thing to remember is to always wear rubber gloves when you're washing up or doing any other wet housework. That's the kindest thing you can do for your nails. 

I used poybalm and have not lost a nail, very impressed with it. Rubber gloves for wet jobs and generally lots of handcream..

Angela x

Thank you Angela, I am pleased it's worked for you. Last night I ordered evonail because I have heard good reports about both that and polybalm. Was struggling to decide so in the end went with option which sounded easier to apply (only once a day) and was cheaper. Will also continue to use rubber gloves, handcream and cuticle oil - I'm very used to all the moisturising having had psoriasis for years - bonus of chemotherapy is psoriasis has all cleared so silver lining there x

Good luck! 

I used Polybalm everyday....when I got to the end of my chemo I said to my oncologist that I still had my nails and he very dryly responded “there’s time!”....well 6 months on the ridges are nearly gone and I have them all! 

Grrr! don't you just hate that sort of attitude Galligirl!! My oncologist was all for anything that might make life easier in fact encouraged me to use it. x x