Nail Lifting Problem

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blueflowers
blueflowers Member Posts: 46
edited August 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I completed my chemo mid February, had stripe marks on my finger nails, which grew out, but the toe nails are lifting off the nail bed.And its painful. Any suggestions will be helpful.

This board has been a life saver for me during this nightmarish journey. Because of all the advice and suggestions on this board ,I have been able to manage through surgery chemo and radiation. Thanks to all of you.

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  • GraceB1
    GraceB1 Member Posts: 213
    edited August 2015

    The toe nails just take a lot longer to grow out after being affected by chemo. I just kept mine cut as short as I could. Biotin is supposed to help with nail and hair growth. I still have problems with 4 of my fingernails lifting off the nailbed. My MO says it's a function of the nailbed rather than the nail itself. I've pretty much lost all hope that they'll ever be the old normal again. I try to keep polish on them to hide the lift and the dirt I can't scrape out from underneath because it's too sensitive.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited August 2015

    I lost all my finger and toe nails. Thanks Taxotere! Some hurt, some not. Time and patience, it will get better!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited August 2015

    You may want to consider a visit with the dermatologist. I had one nail that kept lifting back long after chemo was done. The nail would grow from the base and lift from the end of the fingertip at equal rates, so the situation never resolved.The derm cultured what was under the nail and there were both bacterial and fungal issues. She prescribed topical Xolegel and antibacterial meds and eventually the nail grew out normally. I think without the meds the nail would have continued to lift.

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited August 2015

    I have a few bad nails...they are killing me. Took a round of keflex, now on a round of augmentin.Soaking in Epsom salts. Using tea tree oil. Any other ideas? Thanks


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  • blueflowers
    blueflowers Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2015

    Thanks ladies for your inputs and advice :)

    I am keeping my toe nails cut short right now, its cracked and lifting from the middle. Hopefully it will grow out. I guess biotin helped me with my finger nails.

    Thanks & Take care.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited August 2015

    Cider or white vineger soaks may help. Helped with lot's of my issues

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited August 2015

    At my chemo training class, my oncology nurse wrote to do a soak with 1/4 cup white vinegar in a sinkful of water once I start Taxol. It helps with the invisible fungal issues that can take hold with the nails during all this.

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  • knittingPT
    knittingPT Member Posts: 156
    edited August 2015

    I also had the lifting during the last month of my chemo. For the fingernails, I kept them very short and sometimes put band-aids on them just so they wouldn't get caught. I ended chemo in April and fingernails are almost grown out now. The only toenails I had problems with were my big toes. They lifted and turned black underneath like I had hit them with a hammer. I also keep them painted and try to wear open toed shoes so there is nothing pressing on them. They are slowly growing but I still have quite a way to go. They all hurt during chemo but the pain stopped when chemo ended. Hang in there!

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