Extremely brittle nails

AnnE16
AnnE16 Member Posts: 241
edited May 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Has anyone else experienced really dry and brittle, peeling nails? I have never had an issue with brittle nails. I did chemo a long time ago so the only thing I can contribute this to is menopause due to hormone therapy. Anyone else dealing with this?

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Comments

  • PattyPeppermint
    PattyPeppermint Member Posts: 11,162
    edited May 2018

    count me in on brittle nails. It happens so often I now carry fingernail clippers everywhere I go



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  • Shutterbug73
    Shutterbug73 Member Posts: 791
    edited May 2018

    Me too. Mine have ridges that split down the center. I thought it was from the Taxotere (they were fine until the 6th and final round), but here we are 3.5 years later and they are a ragged jagged mess!

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited May 2018

    Count me in! Vertical splitting and brittle nails. I’ve been using OPI Nail Envy and it’s working miracles. Stronger, less splitting and fewer ridges

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited May 2018

    Yes, I have no choice but to keep them pretty short these days. I’m guessing it’s the targeted or hormonal’s too.

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  • Meg101
    Meg101 Member Posts: 175
    edited May 2018

    My nails were weak, brittle and peeling until I had chemo. There is thread here on BCO about tip and tricks for chemo. One of the tips suggested OPI oil. I started putting it on my finger nails and toe nails. By the time I finished chemo, my nails were rock hard with no peeling. I'm about 5 months post chemo, and my nails are still better than ever... and I'm still using the OPI oil.

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  • AnnE16
    AnnE16 Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2018

    Meg101..can you post a pic of the oil you use? I looked on Amazon but so many choices of OPI and I don't see any of them that say oil that is specific to dry and brittle nails. 

    NancyHB….I see the OPI nail envy on Amazon. Do you just use the clear polish one? I have been using Sally Hansen from Target for weeks now and my nails still peel. I have also been trying to take Biotin supplements but still not noticing that much of a difference. It is amazing to realize how much we use our nails for a lot of things!! I was volunteering the other day and had to ask a guy to open a box for me. I am sure he thought I didn't want to open the box because I didn't want to ruin my nails but I really can't open a box because I am afraid my nail will rip off my nail bed!! So frustrating!

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited May 2018

    I've been using the clear Sensitive and Peeling, but have also used the clear Dry and Brittle. You start with two coats, and add a new coat every other day. After 7 days you remove all layers and start again. This has not only helped my peeling and brittle nails, but the intermittent lifting i get after having both Taxol and Taxotere. I take 10,000 mcg of Bioton every day, too - I didn't notice results with that for about a month. Like illimae I keep my nails super-short now, and never use acrylics or gel nails. Those days are over for me!

    I use the OPI on my toenails, too, which are just as bad, and it seems to be helping

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  • Lynne
    Lynne Member Posts: 641
    edited May 2018

    I've been having nail issues since I started Taxotere, a year ago. They broke easily in the beginning, and I lost a few of them altogether. Then for a few months there were ok. They just started up again, with the nail loss and ridges. They don't break easily this time around though. My oncologist has me put Tea Tree Oil on them. The liquid really smells, and I'm not sure if it's working, but I use it everyday after my shower. I asked one of the nurses, and she said eat jello. I haven't really tried that yet (not a fan), but may. I only put polish on for special occasions (weddings, etc), just to hide my ugly nails. I take it off the next day, so I can use the Tea Tree Oil again.


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