Nail problems AFTER chemo?

Nail Envy by OPI. I never had 'nice' nails in my life. When I went to "Look Good - Feel Better" class pre chemo, the Master Cosmetologist who was doing it gave sample bottles of Nail Envy and said try it. Skeptical me thought 'Yeah just another product that won't work". But I did go ahead and use it - surprise, my nails got better throughout 4 DD A/C and 12 Taxol. 6 yrs later I still swear by it - my nails are better than ever. Nail Envy is not cheap - a bottle costs about $30 - $35 but it lasts me about a year. It is not available in stores like WalMart/KMart/Target/etc. but must be gotten at Salons (hair or nail).

As you are post TX, have you talked with your Dr(s) about the possibility of the issues now being fungal? Chemo 'plays nasty games' with our immune system allowing opportunistic 'junk' to attack. A very good friend of mine had major issues with fungal infections in toe nails that were treated for years. She finally had to have toe nails permanently removed. I don't mention that to scare you but that our DRs need to be asked about/kept appraised of any issues we have.

Remember - because it takes quite a while for nails to grow out once an issue is resolved - there will not be any immediate 'signs'.

I was a bit wrong on the price Nail Envy can be found for. The last I bought was from a Salon at the Mall and it was $30 - $35 (don't remember exact price). I'm getting a bit low on it so decided to do a few calls looking for it. The local Sally's Beauty Supply has it for just under $18. In the past they haven't had it.

I finished chemo in August and I just had a nail start lifting this week. Chemo is the gift that keeps on giving sometimes. The silver lining is that it is not flip flop season and my nail will be grown in by flip flop season. Take THAT chemo!

Same issue for me. All my toe nails lifted off several months PFC. My finger nails did not lift but I am still having problems with very brittle nails. They can peel and split off sometimes as well. My last chemo was in March 2015. While my doctor did warn me to give myself a break cause recovery took some time, it is a bit frustrating to have all these SE's still!

Like your silver lining thought KBeee. It is tough sometimes but a positive attitude really helps.

Hi - tomorrow is 11/12 taxol - SO looking forward to being finished!!! But SO unhappy to read that nail problems won't go away anytime soon. Both of my big toenails are black and starting to lift away, and some of my fingernails look like they're going to jump ship as well. I've been using Nail Envy and Tea Tree oil, and started taking Hair, Skin and Nails vitamins daily. So......what does it feel like to lose a nail? Do you cover your fingers with something?

thanks, Kathy

I lost every nail I had. They just lifted and popped off. Worst part was not being able to scratch an itch. They came back, but have ridges. That might be the aramidex, lack of estrogen.

I didn't think that Domeboro was expensive - especially for the results gotten.

I burned VERY BAD after rads and though I had no infections it did not heal/dry up no matter what was used until I started doing Domeboro soaks/compresses 4 times a day. After my Dr and his RN came up with trying Domeboro, it still took another 2 months for the last of the scabs to come off the deepest burns but at least started drying and healing within days of starting it instead of just pouring fluid continually. It was $5.95 for a box of 12 packets so I don't consider that expensive at all as a box would go for at least 12 days (longer as the area healed thus a smaller area to TX).

I would think that Domeboro would work good as a soak for nail infection too. I know it works great as a soak for heel and coronary band abcesses in horses. It is pricier than Epsom salt soaks but works quicker so for a horse in training/competition, that's worth it to get them back working faster ('time' is money).

IF there is "smelly pus" that "oozes out", then the Dr definitely needs to be consulted to have it cultured to be sure what the infection is (bacterial, fungal, ???) so the right TX/meds is used for the issue - not all TX/meds work for all the different infections. There are topical medicines for nail issues; there are oral meds that are sometimes necessary for nail fungal problems. It can be very important to keep on top of issues. Not to try to scare anyone but to encourage seeking medical help with nail issues/infections instead of just 'tolerating' nail issues. A very good friend of mine developed nail fungal issues after Chemo - she fought it for years modern medicines and herbably/folk medicine. Unfortunately, she eventually had to have all toe nails (thankfully fingers not involved) surgically removed (not something anyone would want to go through).

Point is - seek medical care for signs of infection to be sure what is the cause and appropriate TX - if one TX doesn't 'work' there are a lot of other options.

Added: while it is true hydrogen peroxide can be used a 'wipe'/soak to prevent an infection - it can also be used on an infection to fight an infection. Of course, common sense needs to be used and professional medical care should be sought with any worsening especially in today's world of so many 'super bugs' or if there is any known health issues that require immediate medical intervention.