Losing Fingernails _ any suggestions?

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Third_Generation
Third_Generation Member Posts: 121
in Breast Cancer #1
My best friend is on her second round of chemo and her nails are ridged and now she is starting to lose them! If you have any suggestions to help her, it would be greatly appreciated.
I haven't posted on here for quite awhile: Cancer free and beautifully flat chested (after producing fluid for almost a year!) I check in using facebook now.
Thank you,

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  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #2
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    Nail Envy by OPI, a nail
    Nail Envy by OPI, a nail strengthener, worked great for me. The cosmetologist who did the Look Good Feel Better class gave us a smple of it - I was very skeptical as nothing has ever helped my nails - but it worked great and now I wouldn't be without it. It isn't cheap (about $25) but lasts about 3 - 4 months. If nails get really bad then you can use a piece of tissue with it to give a bit more strength.

    Susan
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #3
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    My nails.......
    My nails separated from the nail bed and that was that. Gone. But, once the chemo is finished, they will start to grow back. Tell her to be watchful for any infection that may start under the nail bed. That sometimes happens when they loosen.

    Hugs,
    CR
  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    #4
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    Nothing you can
    Nothing you can do to stop the process because it happens in the nail bed. The ridges are caused by the chemo effecting the growth of new nail. You could look at mine and see exactly how many chemo's I had.

    My toe nails all came off but not my fingernails. My fingernails looked the worst. They got thick with ridges and turned this gross grey color. Great if you were into the goth look.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
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    CR1954 said:

    My nails.......
    My nails separated from the nail bed and that was that. Gone. But, once the chemo is finished, they will start to grow back. Tell her to be watchful for any infection that may start under the nail bed. That sometimes happens when they loosen.

    Hugs,
    CR

    I lost 3 toe nails from Taxol and Taxotere ...
    finger nails -- Ugh! Keep nail beds clean, cover with cotton gloves while sleeping. It took about 8 months for nails to fully grow back.

    Good luck, and maybe your friend can talk to her Oncologist and get his/her recommendations.


    Vicki Sam
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #6
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    Lost nails
    I lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails during those 12 rounds of Taxotere. It was a gross but fascinating process to watch. There is really not much that can be done to prevent it from happening. Do be watchful of infections/fungus in the nail beds since they are now exposed. I found that since the nails were loose they tended to catch on things and tear off - which was sort of painful. I would suggest wearing rubber gloves when doing dishes, canvas gloves while gardening and gloves at any other time you are able to do so. It is now 7 months since my last chemo and only my 2 thumb nails look at all abnormal. You are a good friend to come here for your friend's support.
  • weazer
    weazer Member Posts: 440
    #7
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    jessiesmom1 said:

    Lost nails
    I lost 8 fingernails and 2 toenails during those 12 rounds of Taxotere. It was a gross but fascinating process to watch. There is really not much that can be done to prevent it from happening. Do be watchful of infections/fungus in the nail beds since they are now exposed. I found that since the nails were loose they tended to catch on things and tear off - which was sort of painful. I would suggest wearing rubber gloves when doing dishes, canvas gloves while gardening and gloves at any other time you are able to do so. It is now 7 months since my last chemo and only my 2 thumb nails look at all abnormal. You are a good friend to come here for your friend's support.

    Tea Tree Oil
    When I was doing Chemo my nurse suggested Tea Tree Oil.
    Smells strong and it has antiseptic properties in it.
    It worked for me....if you can tolerate the smell.
    You would just rub a little of it at the cuticle area and then the nail apply a couple times a day.
    I was lucky and did'nt lose my nails but they were a bit of a mess.
    Two years out my nails are strong again and no ridges.
    Hugs Karie
  • Reikigemgirl
    Reikigemgirl Member Posts: 278
    #8
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    Be careful of infection....
    My big toenail fell off during treatment with Taxotere and it has just now grown back. I had gotten infection under it from it lifting and had to be put on an antibiotic 2 times before the infection got under control. It just lifted up and fell off. I will have to try that nail envy stuff from OPI.

    Love and Light,
    Vicki

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