Nails

Chemotherapy can disrupt the growth cycles of new cells in your body. The keratin-rich cells that make up your skin and nails can be especially affected by this.

Approximately 6 to 12 months after finishing treatment, your natural fingernails and toenails will start to regrow.

stole this but it’s worded well but I am a foot health professional x

Thanks. Just look so ugly and the tips of my fingers feel strange. You think the end of chemo means the end of symptoms but I am still suffering from quite a number - nails, tingling in my fingers, heavy legs, fatigue. Etc. Bit fed up with it all to be honest and the nails is just the latest. Now I have completed chemo it seems like people think you have finished treatment and should be back to normal but I am not. Feeling really low at the moment.

Hi, 2 of my finger nails went like this, after chemo had finished, really frustrating!  I kept them cut really really short so as not to catch them as they were pulling away from the bed and thankfully now they are growing back quite well, but I am sorry to say it takes months!  I also used nail varnish to hide the hideousness. Best wishes 

So sorry you are feeling like this.  I’ve just finished radio after 8 rounds of chemo and I am so sore and tired 2 weeks on - I can’t even wear a crop top or a soft prosthesis - far from feeling the “back to normal” people expected I’m actually struggling more than I did straight after my mastectomy to feel in any way normal.  Be really kind to yourself.  If you are able to visit a foot are professional it might be worth getting your toe nails tidied up - my big ones went bruised and loose and I lost confidence cutting them part way through chemo - getting them trimmed up/tidied by someone who can really see what was going on has helped.  She said they were loose along both edges but not going to come off and it was nice having all the hard bits on my feet taken off and feeling a bit pampered but i know it can be pricy.  I like your description of “heavy legs” - mine feel so heavy too….  I don’t know about you but Christmas is also a time when I tend to battle through putting everyone first in normal years - I’ve been entertained all season because I am unwell but I am exhausted now by putting in a brave face and endlessly listening to how well I look considering….  Let’s be kind to ourselves and give ourselves the time we really need to recover now.  

My finger nails had white lines and ridges on them that needed to grow out. As everything was very slow to grow at first (I didn't notice any significant hair growth until about 3-4 months post-chemo), then it took my finger nails many months to grow out.

My toe nails were worse, they were very thickened after treatment. They are even slower growing than finger nails anyway. I still have one that has a tiny bit of thickened nail still to come off, and I finished chemo almost 2 years ago.

As others have said, chemo attacks anything that is quick growing, so hair and nails get it badly. My toe nails aren't really the same as they were before, chemo can damage the matrix, which is the bit that grows them. 

My finger nails are good though, very strong like before and they have been that way for a long time. 

The only thing I don't do now is use gel nail varnish with UV light. I used to use that all the time and now I can't face doing something that I know weakens them. I have done it once since chemo ended and regretted it. 

It may be too late to save your nails as chemo is finished but I am going to write the advice I was given on Day 1 of my chemo by the units's attached beautician. It may not be too late if someone just starting chemo is attracted to your post......

I was recommended to use a nail protector....I used evonail....from the first day. To put a coat on every day for 6 days then on 7th remove with acetate free remover, oil with argan oil or almond and start a new cycle next day. Fingers and toes....I did this for several months after chemo and radio had finished. I kept all my nails although my toe nails have toughened and my OH has to cut them. It may have just been coincidence but the regime isn't hard and if it did help.....then it was worth it.

I was also told to use an alcohol free mouth wash twice daily. I did that too....and no ulcers.

For the scalp after losing hair, she recommended a weekly rub with argan oil to keep skin moisturised.

Unfortunately, you may find the fatigue continues for months. You will continually find friends and family who don't understand. Hopefully you will find understanding and support on this site. Try the Awake thread as lots of people who are post treatment but still need encouragement contribute ( or just chat which is also a move back to normality!)

I hope 2023 sees you continuing to improve. Love Karen

Chemo attacks fast growing cells, and nails fall into that category. Now you have finished chemo they should start to grow normally. My advice unfortunately comes too late to help you, but for anyone just starting, or about to start chemo, I thoroughly recommend Polybalm. Rub it into the nail bed twice a day. The Polybalm site shows photos from their clinical trial of people using Polybalm versus the placebo balm. The difference is stark. I had 4 rounds of EC and 12 weeks of Paclitaxel and have one small area of damage on my left big toe, otherwise my nails are perfect. 

Thank you for the tip. 

Thanks

I completely get how you feel. My kids have just left and I am exhausted. Thanks for the advice.