Sophia Delgado
Chemotherapy can cause changes to a person's nails, including discolouration, weakness, nail loss, and Beau's lines (horizontal ridges). These changes can take several weeks to develop and may be influenced by the type of chemotherapy drug used. While nails typically grow back healthy after completing cancer treatment, it is important to manage nail care during chemotherapy to reduce the risk of infection and other complications. This includes keeping nails trimmed, moisturized, and free of infection, as well as avoiding certain activities that may damage the nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Changes in nails | Nails may become thin, brittle, dry, and fragile, and may discolour or develop grooves or ridges. Nails may also lift from the nailbed or come off completely. |
| Cause of changes | Chemotherapy can disrupt the growth cycles of new cells in the body, especially keratin-rich cells that make up the skin and nails. |
| Precautions | Avoid biting, tearing, or picking at nails or cuticles. Wear loose-fitting shoes and gloves while cleaning or gardening. Keep nails short, straight, and smooth. |
| Treatment | Use a special nail oil or cream to moisturize nails and cuticles. Use a water-soluble nail polish to hide discolouration or increase nail strength. Speak with a doctor about taking biotin supplements to strengthen nails. |
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What You'll Learn
Nails may become thin, brittle, and discoloured
Chemotherapy can cause nail changes, including discolouration, thinning, and brittleness. Nails may also develop grooves or ridges and, in some cases, may even fall off. These changes are typically more common in toenails than in fingernails.
Nail discolouration can be caused by various factors, such as vitamin deficiencies or certain chemotherapy drugs. If you notice a new dark line on a single nail, it is important to seek medical care. However, if multiple nails are affected and you have a reason to suspect vitamin deficiency, it is usually not a cause for concern.
To manage discoloured nails during chemotherapy, you can consider painting your nails to hide the discolouration. It is recommended to use water-soluble nail polish or nail polish that you have used before to avoid potential allergic reactions. Always use an acetone-free nail polish remover, as it is less drying for your nails.
Additionally, nails may become thin and brittle during chemotherapy. They can break easily or split, and biting or picking at them can further aggravate the problem. To prevent this, keep your nails trimmed and straight, avoiding cutting them too short. This helps prevent ingrown nails and possible infections. You can also apply special nail oil or cream to moisturize your nails and cuticles, which will help prevent dryness.
In summary, nail discolouration, thinning, and brittleness are common side effects of chemotherapy. To manage these issues, you can paint your nails to hide discolouration, trim your nails to prevent breakage, and moisturize them to alleviate dryness and brittleness. Remember to always consult your doctor or oncologist for advice and strategies to manage any side effects during your treatment.
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Nails may lift from the nail bed or fall off
Chemotherapy can cause nail changes, including nail weakness, nail loss, and Beau’s lines (horizontal grooves). Nails may become thin, brittle, and fragile, and may discolour or develop ridges. In rare cases, nails may not grow back after chemotherapy.
If nails become loose, they will not reattach to the nail bed. It is important to protect the nail bed while waiting for a new nail to grow in its place. This can be done by keeping nails short, straight, and smooth, avoiding pressure on the nail bed, and moisturising nails and cuticles with a special nail oil or cream. Doctors advise against getting manicures or wearing nail polish all the time, but nail polish can be worn occasionally to hide discolouration or increase nail strength. When wearing nail polish, it is best to use a water-soluble nail polish and an acetone-free nail polish remover, as these are less drying to the nails.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to keep nails clean and free of bacteria. This can be done by wearing gloves when cleaning or doing dishes, and avoiding corrosive cleaning products. It is also important to avoid biting, tearing, or picking at nails or cuticles, as wounds take longer to heal during chemotherapy and can result in infections.
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Nails may develop grooves or ridges
Chemotherapy can cause nail changes in patients, including discolouration, nail weakness, nail loss, and Beau's lines—horizontal grooves that indicate an interruption in nail growth. While nail ridging typically does not cause symptoms and does not require medical attention, it is important to be gentle with your nails during cancer treatment and seek medical care if you experience pain or odour.
Beau's lines are grooves that form horizontally across the nail, and they are a common occurrence in people undergoing chemotherapy. These lines indicate periods when something has interrupted nail growth. While these grooves are typically symptomless, it is important to be cautious and gentle with your nails during chemotherapy to avoid any potential infections or further complications.
To manage nail changes during chemotherapy, it is recommended to keep your nails short and well-moisturized. You can use a special nail oil or cream, or a nourishing hand cream, and remember to also moisturize your cuticles and toenails. Keeping your nails straight and smooth can help prevent ingrown nails and possible infections. Additionally, wearing gloves can help reduce the chances of developing infections and protect your nails.
It is generally advised to avoid biting, tearing, or picking at your nails or cuticles. Instead, keep your nails natural and avoid professional manicures, artificial nails, and nail polish. If you choose to wear nail polish, opt for nail polish without alcohol or acetone and always apply a colourless, nourishing base coat.
If you notice any concerning changes to your nails during chemotherapy, such as pain or odour, it is important to consult your doctor for further advice and treatment options. They may recommend certain dietary supplements or provide specific instructions to help manage and strengthen your nails during chemotherapy.
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Infections are a risk
Chemotherapy can cause nail changes, including discolouration, nail weakness, nail loss, and Beau's lines (horizontal ridges). These changes can increase the risk of infection in several ways. Firstly, chemotherapy can cause nails to become thin, brittle, and fragile, making them more prone to breaking, splitting, or lifting from the nail bed. This can expose the underlying nail bed to bacteria and increase the risk of infection. Additionally, wounds take longer to heal during chemotherapy, and the treatment itself can reduce infection-fighting white blood cells, further elevating the risk of infection.
To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to keep nails trimmed short and straight, avoiding any ingrown nails or sharp edges that could cause cuts or scratches. However, it is important to ensure nails are not cut too short, as this can also lead to ingrown nails and possible infections. Examining nails daily for any changes and maintaining proper nail hygiene are crucial to preventing and identifying infections early on.
Practicing good nail care is essential during chemotherapy. This includes avoiding biting, tearing, or picking at nails or cuticles, as this can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection. Instead, keeping nails moisturized with special nail oil, cream, or hand cream can help prevent dryness and strengthen nails. While nail polish can be used to improve the appearance of nails, it should be water-soluble and alternated with recovery days to avoid excessive drying. When removing nail polish, it is recommended to use an acetone-free nail polish remover and subsequently apply oil or moisturizer to nourish the nails and cuticles.
Additionally, it is advised to avoid professional manicures and artificial nails during chemotherapy. Manicure tools can be a source of bacteria, and cuticles protect the nails from infection. However, wearing gloves during certain activities, such as cleaning or dishwashing, can help protect the nails from corrosive cleaning products and reduce the risk of cuts and scratches. Overall, maintaining proper nail hygiene and being diligent about nail care during chemotherapy can help reduce the risk of infections and promote healthier nails.
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Certain nail care practices should be avoided
Chemotherapy can cause changes in the nails, such as discolouration, thinning, brittleness, and even nail loss. While these nail changes are not incidental symptoms, certain nail care practices should still be avoided to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of infection.
Firstly, it is important to avoid biting, tearing, or picking at nails or cuticles. Nail biting can aggravate the problem of brittle nails caused by chemotherapy, and wounds on the hands and fingers can be exposed to bacteria. Similarly, it is recommended to avoid manicures that involve cutting the cuticles, as cuticles protect the nails from infection. Instead of cutting the cuticles, they should be moisturised with a special nail oil or cream, or a nourishing hand cream.
Secondly, it is best to avoid wearing nail polish all the time. While it is generally okay to paint the nails to hide discolouration or increase nail strength, nail polish can dry out the nails. Therefore, it is advisable to only wear nail polish for a few days at a time, removing it with an acetone-free nail polish remover, and then letting the nails recover for a few days. When wearing nail polish, it is recommended to start with a colourless, nourishing base coat to prevent the colour from penetrating brittle nails.
Thirdly, it is important to avoid pressure on the nail bed and to keep the nails short and straight to prevent ingrown nails and possible infections. Loose-fitting shoes can help to avoid pressure on the nail bed. Additionally, wearing gloves can help to protect the nails and reduce the risk of infection. Gloves should be worn when doing the dishes or cleaning with corrosive products, as cleaning products can be harmful to brittle chemo nails.
Finally, it is recommended to avoid professional manicures or the use of artificial nails. Cancer treatment weakens the immune system, and nail salons can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead, a relaxing hand massage or a super-nourishing mask can be a safe way to pamper yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
Keeping your nails short before starting chemo is recommended. This will help prevent ingrown nails and possible infections.
Nails should be trimmed short, but not too short on the outside. Keep the edges straight and smooth.
Yes, keeping your nails clean and trimmed will help them grow back stronger and quicker, reducing the risk of infection. Avoid biting, tearing, or picking at your nails or cuticles.
Nails will benefit from additional moisturising to prevent dryness. Use a special nail oil or cream, or a nourishing hand cream. Avoid corrosive cleaning products and wear gloves when cleaning or exposing your hands to the sun.
