tea tree oil

  I just finished Taxol and my nails are loose and dark.  I was told this would happen no matter what I did to prevent it.  This may or not be true.  Anyway, one of my raised nails started to have a bit of an odor.  Of course, my mind leaped to infection.  My onc said not to worry and soak my fingers in hydrogen peroxide and bacitracin.  I left his office thinking that sounded a bit harsh.  I figured I would use  Tea Tree Oil.  I tried it and it smells AWFUL.  I am going to CVS tonight to buy what the doctor recommended.  Anyone want a bottle of Tea Tree Oil?  

Correction:  My onc suggested betadine and hydrogen peroxide.

Hi, Ladies... Saw this thread and thought I might be able to share some experience. 

You rub a bit of the Tee Tree Oil into your cuticles and nails at bedtime.  Yes, it has a heavy pine smell because it's from a conifer-like tree.  I did it 2 or 3 times a week, when I thought of it, and it does help.  If you haven't purchased it already, in addition to a liquid, it's available (if you can find it) in a little round metal tin that has more of a solid texture (like soft wax) that's easier to rub on and doesn't smell quite so strong.

Putting ice on your nails (fingers & toes) during infusions will help prevent the chemo drugs from circulating to your nailbeds.  If your infusion center doesn't supply ice or ice mitts (at least one drug company makes mitts, so some infusion places offer them), then bring your own.  You can even use a bag of frozen veggies (sounds weird, but that's what I did) to cut down on the mess of melting ice. 

If your nails are already lifting, you can gently tape them down to try to save them.  Someone in my August 08 chemo group recommended wig tape, which is especially gentle to remove, so will not lift damaged nails further.  Hope this helps!    Deanna

Marm - I purchased a tea tree oil ointment at Whole Foods in Oakville.  It's tea tree oil and a few other natural things (tea tree oil is the main ingredient, though). It comes in a plastic pot. I usually rub it on my finger and toe nails at night while watching TV shortly before bed.  I do it then so I can avoid all the hand washing that goes on during the day. I alternate with a cuticle ointment by Burt's Bees, which I purchased at Pharma Plus.  If you have any futher questions, please let me know.

Sherri 

I bought a bottle of 100% pure tea tree oil at WalMart.  It is very strong smelling, but I don't care if it works.  If you have never used it before (I haven't), the directions say to dilute it in a carrier oil like almond oil, at a 4:1 ratio; the carrier oil being the larger amount.  If it only involves rubbing into cuticles, does that mean I can keep my toenail polish?  I live in Florida; I live in flip flops, therefore I NEED my toenail polish. I have regular pedis - no manis.   I never polish my fingernails because I am a crafter and make a mess of my nails.