Nails

Hi Rainbowsun welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear about what is happening for you.

i understand from some of my colleagues that this is a known side effect from the chemo but I'm sure one of them will be along soon to offer some advice about how best to look after your nails for now and what might happen for you. 

Thank you! X

Hi Rainbowsun I’ve had pretty much the same. Two of my fingernails actually did lift off but it’s not as bad as you think if they do as there was some new nail growth already underneath. Just don’t pull them off until they’re ready (it REALLY hurts!). Use plasters to keep them down and to avoid catching them on anything. 

Ive continued to use Polybalm as that seems to be working for the majority of my nails but particularly well on toenails. I also started using a product called OnicoLife which is making a real difference after just a few days. It’s a white liquid you paint on with a brush and it soaks right into the nail. Already my nails look less ridgy and it doesn’t look like any more are likely to lift off - not yet anyway!

I got mine from the Cancer Pal website;

https://www.cancerpal.co.uk/nail-care-during-chemotherapy

Best wishes xx

Thank you so much NBI. I will have a look at the products you recommended. My fear is that my nails will catch on something and rip off so I have been wearing plasters- looks very strange but it works! Thanks again and take care. Xxx 

Mine became really discoloured after my last chemo. I can feel a couple are loose but I am hoping they stay on!   I was using UV protective nail varnish all the way through chemo.   Good luck 

I had terrible problems with my nails and they all lifted and became infected, I ended up needing antibiotics so just be really careful , I’m guessing yours are really sore too ? I wore latex gloves over the plasters to stop them hurting so much which worked but you can’t wear them all the time! My toenails fell off about 5 months after treatment finished … my nails bothered me more than losing my hair. 
Just keep an eye on them , and do what helps you best x

Thank you Irishgirl16. Mine are discoloured too and just hoping they don’t come off. All the best to you too. 

Thank you for your reply jowoomot. So sorry to hear how bad your nails were. Mine aren’t sore now, they were sore after chemo number 5 but are now just discoloured and two look like they could come off. Can’t believe your toenails came off 5 months after treatment! Just shows how strong the chemo is. I understand what you are saying about being more bothered about your nails than your hair- when my mum and my daughter shaved my hair off it was a relief as there were hairs everywhere! But I’m concerned about my nails which I never even considered before! Sounds daft but that is the roller coaster ride! Thank you very much for your advice and take care. X