Noah Sinclair
Cancer treatment can cause physical side effects, and receiving chemotherapy or targeted therapies can lead to changes in your nails. These changes can include slower growth or even a complete stop in nail growth. While most nail changes are temporary, some can be longer-term or even permanent. Understanding these changes and how to manage them can help keep nails healthy during and after cancer treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Changes in nails due to cancer treatment | Slower growth than normal, no growth at all, nail thinning, reduced strength, leading to breakage, colour changes, nail beds lifting with pain, nails becoming thicker and painful, brittle nails, weaker nails, nail loss, nails becoming thinner and more brittle, nails separating from the nail bed |
| Changes in nails due to chemotherapy | Horizontal ridges on nails (Beau's lines), nails lifting from the nail bed, nails coming off completely, nails becoming thinner, nail loss, nails becoming thicker and painful, weaker nails, brittle nails, nails separating from the nail bed |
| Changes in nails due to targeted therapies | Nails becoming thinner, nails separating from the nail bed, ingrown nails due to inflammation in the surrounding tissue or nail folds |
| Changes in nails due to immunotherapy | Nails becoming thinner |
| Preventive measures | Trimming nails carefully, avoiding injuries, sterilizing nails by gently soaking them in a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water, applying nail polish or strengthener over nails, taking biotin vitamin supplements |
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What You'll Learn
Chemotherapy and nail growth
Chemotherapy can cause changes to the nails, including the toenails and fingernails. These changes can include slower growth, no growth, infections, and physical changes such as horizontal ridges, called Beau's lines, and discolouration. These nail changes are usually temporary and improve after treatment ends, but some changes may be longer-term.
During chemotherapy, nails can become thinner and more brittle, making them more prone to breakage. Nails may also lift from the nail bed, which can be uncomfortable and lead to infection. This is known as onycholysis and is a common problem during chemotherapy, caused by damage to the tissue in the nail bed. To prevent this, it is recommended to keep nails short and clean, and to avoid injury and manipulation of the cuticles.
To manage nail changes during chemotherapy, it is important to practice good nail care. This includes trimming nails carefully, soaking nails in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water, and moisturising with fragrance-free creams or ointments. It is also recommended to wear gloves during activities that could damage the hands and to avoid tight-fitting shoes.
After chemotherapy, it can take approximately 6 to 12 months for nails to regrow and return to normal. During this time, nails may continue to be more brittle and prone to breakage. To improve nail health, it is suggested to use a hydrating nail solution and paint nails with water-soluble nail polish to increase strength.
While most nail changes during chemotherapy are temporary, it is important to monitor any changes and seek advice from a healthcare professional if needed. Certain nail changes may indicate an infection or other medical issues, and a healthcare provider can recommend further treatments or medications to help manage symptoms.
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Nail infections
While cancer and cancer treatments can cause changes in your nails, non-cancer conditions, medications, and treatments can also cause nail changes. Chemotherapy, for instance, can cause nails to become thinner and more brittle, with horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, forming on them. Nails may also lift from the nail bed or come off completely.
If you develop a fever, redness, discharge, or drainage around your nails, notify your healthcare provider. Treatment for paronychia includes antibiotics, antifungal creams, or other forms of treatment. For fungal infections, a pharmacist may suggest an antifungal nail medicine that you brush onto the nail and use regularly for a few months. If pharmacy treatments do not work, your doctor may prescribe antifungal tablets.
To prevent nail infections, it is important to keep your nails trimmed, short, and clean. It is also recommended to wear protective gloves or shoes during activities that could damage or injure your hands or feet.
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Nail thinning
While cancer itself may not directly cause nail thinning, certain cancer treatments can. Chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy can all cause changes to the nails, including thinning. These treatments target specific molecules in tumors, and the same molecules are also found in nails, which can result in side effects such as nail thinning or brittleness.
Additionally, targeted therapies can cause inflammation in the tissue surrounding the nails, leading to ingrown nails. This inflammation can also affect the nails themselves, causing them to become thinner or more brittle.
Immunotherapy can also cause nail changes, although these usually occur later than those induced by chemotherapy. These changes can include thinning, brittleness, and discoloration.
It is important to note that not all nail changes require treatment. Most changes are short-term and improve after cancer treatment ends. However, it is crucial to monitor any changes and consult a healthcare professional if there are any concerns. Good nail care practices during cancer treatment can help manage these side effects and prevent infections.
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Nail colour changes
Cancer treatments can cause changes in the colour of your nails. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapies can all cause damage or changes to your nails. These changes can affect one, two, a few, or all of your nails. Nail colour changes can manifest as yellowing, discolouration, or over-pigmentation on your nails or nail beds.
In addition, some cancers, especially skin cancers, can show up as nail changes. For example, subungual melanoma, a rare but serious type of skin cancer, can appear as a thin, dark brown or black line or streak on the surface of your nail. This line may start small but can grow over time, eventually covering the entire nail and extending to the cuticle. Early detection and prompt treatment of subungual melanoma yield the best outcomes.
Furthermore, some cancer treatments can cause skin pigmentation changes, resulting in darker nails. This can be observed in cases where radiation therapy causes the skin in the treated area to turn red or darker, similar to sunburn. Certain drugs may also cause the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet to turn red and sore, a condition known as palmar-plantar syndrome.
It is important to note that not all nail changes are caused by cancer or its treatments. Non-cancer conditions, medications, and other factors can also lead to nail colour alterations. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult your healthcare team about any nail symptoms or medical problems you may be experiencing.
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Nail loss
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy can cause changes to your nails. These changes can include slower growth or even full nail loss.
Chemotherapy drugs can disrupt the nail matrix, the formative layer of cells at the base of the nail, causing nails to stop growing or grow weaker. Nails may lift from the nail bed or come off completely, a condition known as onycholysis. This can be caused by certain chemotherapy drugs such as taxotere or targeted therapy drugs like fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors.
Nail changes from cancer treatments usually start sooner with chemotherapy than with immunotherapy and targeted drug therapy. While most nail changes are temporary, some can last long after treatment ends or even become permanent. However, it's important to note that not all nail changes need treatment, and most are not painful.
To care for your nails during cancer treatment, it is recommended to keep them trimmed, short, and clean to prevent infection. Soaking nails in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water can help prevent and treat infections. Avoiding skin-care products with harsh chemicals or strong perfumes is also recommended, as they can irritate the nails and surrounding skin.
While nail loss can be a distressing side effect of cancer treatment, most patients' nails grow back healthy after completing treatment. In some cases, nails may grow back thick and painful, requiring further intervention. Overall, the impact of cancer treatment on nails is temporary for most patients, and there are steps that can be taken to manage and minimize these changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies can cause changes in nail growth. Nails may temporarily stop growing or grow in weaker, and patients may experience full nail loss.
Cancer treatments can cause changes in the appearance, texture, and colour of nails. Nails may become thinner, more brittle, or change colour. Patients may also experience nail thinning, reduced strength, leading to breakage, painful nail beds, and dry or cracked skin around the nails or cuticles.
Yes, it is recommended to trim nails carefully and avoid injuries. Keeping nails short and clean can help prevent nail problems. Soaking nails in a solution of equal parts vinegar and water can help prevent infection. Additionally, avoiding skin-care products with harsh chemicals or strong fragrances can help, as these can irritate the skin and nails.
