fingernail woes

maggiemae

 It just occurred to me to ask if any others out there have noticed since chemo that their fingernails are very weak and soft; breaking and tearing at the smallest little bump or bang?  I always had super strong nails (could even turn screws with them, not that I often did so LOL!), but sadly, I've no such luck anymore.   I kept thinking they'd toughen up again after a while, but it's been almost 15 months since I finished my last series of chemo treatments and I still have to carry a nail file with me at all times because of constant breaks and snags.  It's a small concern, but I'd never heard that chemo could have this affect....so it leaves me wondering if I'm alone in this?  Best to all, M.

Fearless_Moderator

@maggiemae....just the opposite for me. My nails, which were always very strong, got weak before I was diagnosed. But after chemo they returned to what they used to be.  Maybe a calcium deficiency for you?  Next time you have blood work ask your doctor to check perhaps?  I feel for you though. I love being able to flash my real nails and not those gel things people default to these days.    

Flowergirl

Hello @maggiemae and hope this message finds you managing ok. 
A few people undergoing different treatments have mentioned this to me as well.
We have found it helpful to keep nails trimmed short, as well as using a nail hardening stick/polish/treatment.
Yes, so annoying when it happens to crack and snag at the worst spot.

Flowergirl

I found a green tea and bamboo nail hardening polish worked for me - good luck

maggiemae

Thanks @flowergirl and @fearless...I'll try both those suggestions!

Bluebird

Hi @maggiemae and @Fearless and @flowergirl...my nails are brittle and ridged..they are in awful shape..I had a couple of nail start lifting with chemo..but are better now...but my nails arent as annoying as the body hair and facial hair that has come back x 10...any recommendations for good ridence other than more chemo😁!!

kastoyles

@bluebird - I had some awful black fuzz sprout on my face and neck after chemo. I had it waxed and it never came back. However, the chin whiskers are doing quite well... LOL

angel27

My fingernails were never affected. But my gums were. Had to have surgery on them. What I hated was all the hair on my legs was ingrown when it came back. I also had fuzz on my face but most of it is gone. 3 yrs finished Chemo 

Bluebird

I have to say that being in remission of course is the best about chemo,..but being hairless was not so bad!!

angel27

Except it was winter for me so hairless legs did me no good

maggiemae

Hey @bluebird, @kastoyles and @angel27, my face is fuzzier than ever too since chemo - and I agree that being hairless was pretty darn convenient :-)

kastoyles

Every now and then I threaten to shave off my hair. My mop is naturally curly and we definitely have a love/hate relationship with each other.

Bluebird

Well @maggiemae, @kastoyles, @angel27..I dont know what I'm going to with the body hair that has come back fast and furious..and it seems it's in more places than I thought existed...and well my head hair..its curlier and longer than I have had in years...and moppier...so maybe I should just celebrate it..live it..enjoy it.

kastoyles

I have naturally curly hair and after chemo it came in softer. However, it did return to the coarse texture I had before chemo. @Bluebird when did you finish chemo??

Bluebird

@kastoyles..I finished my chemo november 2018...my hair I think has more color..much darker at the back and lighter on top..less white..I think the coloring is what they call an ombre.people pay lots for that..if they only knew

kastoyles

@Bluebird -..no such luck for me - it came in the same gray colour..sigh.. LOL

Bluebird

@kastoyles..at least we had hair that came in...I have a friend and her hair took forever to come back  and quite thin after chem..not to scare anyone..but everyone respond differently to the chemo.

kastoyles

@bluebird - yes we do all respond differently.  My hair is thinner on the top than it used to be, but it's there...