nails are just peeling away! what to do?

amontro

Quick recap: I'm Stage IV w/mets, on herceptin and arimidex for 4 yrs.  My nails keep getting worse. I've always had long hard fingernails. Now, they are soft and peeling like crazy. I've tried nail hardeners and special oils and nothing helps. I don't want to use fake nails, but should I?  My nails are getting shorter and shorter and sometimes when one peels off close to the skin, the skin gets infected. I use rubber gloves when I clean or wash dishes.

Does anyone have any solution on how to take care of this?  Would a dermatologist help?

BTW, my hair is doing well. I thought nails and hair were made of the same stuff.

cycle-path

Several months ago I saw here on BCO something about how Biotin is good for nails. One of my nails keeps cracking so I decided to give it a try.

It's recommended that one take 5000 mcg, so I do. It's not too expensive. Apparently it will take 6 months or so before I notice a difference, but I decided to give it a try. I've been taking it for about 6 weeks.

The only thing I can report so far is that it seems to have a stool softening effect, at least at first. For a week or so I took it every other day. I probably should have started with a lower dose.

I know this probably isn't a huge help, but it's a thought. 

Sassa

Unfortunately, the peeling, cracking nails is a side effect of the herceptin.  Because herceptin works by blocking the mechanism that causes all cells to divide, other fast growing cells in the body (like hair, nails, mucosal tissue) can also be affected.

The only thing my oncologist recommended when I had this problem with herceptin was to rub the nail with tea oil.

buttercupwithab

I had my own nail troubles that I treated sucessfully when I was on Xeloda for two years but they sound different from yours.  I would keep them clipped (as I did) to the skin line to take some stress off of them.

There is a product for women on chemo and radiation called Evonail Hydrating Solution - I have not used this product but I suggest you google it - it sounds like it might help you.

There's another woman on the boards that has developed a lot of info on nails through her own nail problems (I think) and feedback from other women.  I believe her name is Lago.  You might want to PM her to see if she has ideas for you.  Good Luck.