Fingernails

bdee
bdee Member Posts: 304
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I was just wanting to know if anybody has lost their fingernails to chemo? My nails around the cuticles are real "rosy" and tender. Does that mean I'm going to lose my fingernails or is it something I should bring up to the onc on Monday because it isn't normal?

Did anybody have their hands and feet peel while going through chemo?

Thanks,
Debbie

Comments

  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #2
    lost one
    My husband lost one nail to chemo and he would get splits in his finger tipse and his feet did peal.
    michelle
  • JR
    JR Member Posts: 139 Member
    #3
    No loss of nails but my
    No loss of nails but my fingers are very dry and split on my thumbs and index fingers.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #4
    peeling hands and feet and nail issues
    Hi Debbie,

    Both 5FU and Xeloda have caused hand/foot peeling. I had more of it while on the 5-FU than I did while on the Xeloda though (which is the oral form of it). If you're on either of those, it is a normal and expected side effect. Keep moisturized! Others have mentioned bagbalm and some other lotions, I have personally used Aveeno lotion and found it helps. It doesn't completely get rid of the peeling, but it does help.

    So far as losing nails, I only had problems with my nails while I was on Erbitux. I haven't been on it for a while (stopped after tested postive for k-ras mutation). Anyhow, while on it and for 3-4 months after I stopped it, I'd get infections along the side of several toes, which were painful and a couple oozed pus. I'd apply neosporin ointment and was on an oral antibiotic for it for a while when it was the worst. I never actually lost a nail from it, but have heard of others who have. If you're not on Erbitux, I have heard that sometimes some people have problems with their nails in this way from some of the other chemos also. Also, if your white count goes low, you could be prone to infections there (as well as in other places too, of course).
    Hope that helps- take care-

    Lisa
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #5
    Nails
    I just went to my chemo training (lesson) last Thursday and they said that you could lose your nails. I had acrylics on and had them removed on Sunday. I noticed with the last round of chemo my nail beds were very sensitive and hurt when taking off old acrylic so this round of chemo is a lot stronger so figured I'd better see what is happening and don't want acrylics to harm nails. First time with no acrylics in 20 years.

    Kim
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #6
    Talons
    Hey Debbie,

    I didn't get sores around my nails (probably because they were so hardened after years of biting and worrying my cuticles & fingers) but my nails became very hard and ridged. The ridges have not gone away 2 years after my last chemo, but buffing them out solves that problem when they become too unsightly. I must say that during chemo I didn't bite & worry them because I wanted to avoid any possible infection site. Vain hope. I still get infections at the drop of a hat. I'm convinced that chemo zapped my immune system a good one! Try to keep your hands and feet moisterized as much as possible. Get the good stuff--heavy duty lotions. If necessary, sleep with those moisturizing socks & gloves. Sorry I can't offer more. Hang in there!

    Hugs,
    Kirsten
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #7
    kmygil said:

    Talons
    Hey Debbie,

    I didn't get sores around my nails (probably because they were so hardened after years of biting and worrying my cuticles & fingers) but my nails became very hard and ridged. The ridges have not gone away 2 years after my last chemo, but buffing them out solves that problem when they become too unsightly. I must say that during chemo I didn't bite & worry them because I wanted to avoid any possible infection site. Vain hope. I still get infections at the drop of a hat. I'm convinced that chemo zapped my immune system a good one! Try to keep your hands and feet moisterized as much as possible. Get the good stuff--heavy duty lotions. If necessary, sleep with those moisturizing socks & gloves. Sorry I can't offer more. Hang in there!

    Hugs,
    Kirsten

    Yes, peeling and nail
    Yes, peeling and nail issues. I had lots and lots of peeling,cracking,redness,swelling and tenderness from both my hands and feet.That was by far the worst side effect for me. I did use bagbalm and it helped tremendously. When they were really bad I would put the bagbalm on and then cover my hands with and feet with socks.

    My nails technically never fell off but I had very hard ridges and cracking. Ater I finished chemo it took quite a few months for my "new nail" to grow and push the dammaged nailsup and off. I am now a year from end of chemo and all has been back to normal for about 3 months.

    I feel your pain the memory is still fresh in my mind.

    Take Care,
    Dawn
  • usakat
    usakat Member Posts: 610 Member
    #8
    Nail and feet issues
    Are you on 5FU or Xeloda per chance?

    I was on Xeloda and the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet peeled several times. I found using a good moisturizer helped tremendously. My dear husband recommended Mary Kay's Extra Emollient Night Cream and it was wonderful - very soothing (no, I'm not a Mary Kay saleswoman - it's just good stuff). Check it out - click on the link below:

    Mary Kay's Extra Emollient Night Cream

    As for my nails, my fingers were fine although they seemed to dry and crack (now long after treatment they seem to have ridges and tend to split), but a couple of my toe nails turned black and fell off during treatment, similar to what happens to marathon runners. The same thing happened to my mom when she was on 5FU. The toe nails have recovered quite nicely - for both my mom and I.

    Good moisturizer is the key...try it out with spa gloves and socks. You'll feel better.

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