Toes care on chemo

I had some wierd brown staining with EC and my nails were fragile. I moisturised and massaged my cuticles regularly. I wore rubber gloves for washing up and cleaning. I also found that not soaking my hands and feet in a bath helpful too. I used nail strengther and nail polish to stop my nails breaking., I also kept my nails short, but by filing not cutting, so that they did not break on the sides nor lift.Also I never used my nails as tools to pick at sellotape on a parcel for example.  My hands had never been so well cared for as when I was on chemo!

Hello Brian69,

 I attended the free workshop run by Look good feel better, a charity supporting people with cancer and the suggestions were excellent. It is online on zoom. You’ll get some free goodies from reputable companies too afterwards. Main thing is to protect your nails daily by massaging cuticle oil and regularly applying hand and nail cream. My nails have become brittle and developing ridges too and the curvy white bit under the nails have turned purple to dark blue almost black in colour. As suggested, to strengthen and protect them is to apply nail strengthener then black or dark coloured nail colour then glitter and finally the top coat. Said, it is most important the day before the chemo up to two days. Then you can take them off if you don’t want it. I have to say because of the thicker layers of those stuff my nails are supported and stronger. That just means allocating time to do this. I hope that helps.

 zephyr Winxs Thank you! Very useful info.  My nail care has so far consisted clipping them short. I got moisturiser when I started chemo but not much else. Making a small shopping list.

Thanks again ️

I was pointed towards and used a product called Polybalm and I found that was excellent for me. I focused on this for nail health rather than painting my nails. Developed by a British oncologist and apparently tested for positive results. It's a moisturiser you rub into nails twice a day. Whilst not the cheapest product, you get two tubes of it and it lasts a long time. I was even able to enjoy a couple cheeky spa experience- hot tub/ steam room and not loose my toe nails over it! 
Now that treatment has finally concluded I have celebrated by painting my nails again - but using a brand with a gentle formula.

best wishes with your treatments. X