I have been having Taxol (last dose yesterday) and the girls at oncology recommended that I have my nails painted black to prevent the splitting etc. I removed the nail polish today so that I could freshen it up and noticed that several of my nails were bruised, which would explan the very painful fingers. Has anyone else experienced this? Any hints? I really don't want my nails to fall off. Linda

Believe it or not,I was just about to post on here about MY nails,when I read your post! I am 7 weeks past my last chemo.I had Docetaxel also.Through chemo,I had the bruised look,and ridges and bumps,and my nails became really brittle.I painted them black also.Just about one week ago,my thumb nails,and some of my other fingernails have started to lift from the tip.They are right off the base about half way down the nail now.Like Deanne,I try to take care of them,and I am hoping that they won't lift any more.I am just being careful not to catch them on anything so as not to tear them off! Apparently nail damage is common with the taxel drugs,but it does improve,as Deanne said.Take care.xoxoRobyn

Did you wear ice gloves Robyn? I'm hoping to be spared this........ Julie

No I didn't,and I don't remember anyone suggesting them to me.I have heard of them since of course.It is one of those things that isn't a really big deal,in the whole scheme of things,but my nails are just a darn nuisance at the moment.I hope ice gloves work for you Julie.Cheers xoxo Robyn

Hi Linda, I'm 3 weeks past my Docetaxel/Cyclophosphamide. I'm going through the same thing. Nails look bruised, they feel very tender and two look as if they are lifting at the tip. Luckily the ones lifting are on my left hand and I'm right handed. I didn't do the black polish, instead I painted them with nail hardener, didn't take the old stuff off, just kept painting over and over. Don't know if this is thanks to nail hardener but they are not brittle nor splitting. I guess all I can do is wait and see what happens. Good luck all, take care, Ingrid x

Mine were bruised and discoloured during chemo. About 3 weeks later they started to lift. I never lost a nail but they lifted about halfway down. Looked gross but they survived. My last chemo was in 2011 and nobody mentioned ice gloves to me. They sound like a good idea. I will be interested to see if they work. Good luck Linda. Paula /)

Bruised Nails | BCNA Online Network

15 Replies

mum2jj
Member
12 years ago
It was just after my treatment finished and it was so off my radar. By the time I realised I had a problem, it was too late, my arm was aching and things went downhill from there. However two years on my lymphedema under control and I don't wear my garment nearly as much. So good on you for getting antibiotics ASAP. I think lymphedema is often missed until it is too late, so look after that arm especially any cuts, scratches etc. good luck with your nails. Paula
Linda27
Member
12 years ago
I didn't even think of worrying about lymphedema. My infection is also on the side that I had my nodes out. I have my antibiotics and the GP took a swab for culture and willlwt me know if I need some different antibiotics.
mum2jj
Member
12 years ago
I am glad you are on antibiotics for the infection. My lymphedema started after an infection under my nail on the side that I had my nodes out. I should have been put on antibiotics and wasn't.

Hope it clears up soon.

Paula x
AnnaB
Member
12 years ago
I know how you feel. The first time I had more than a week between medical appointments felt so strange. Hope the antibiotics do the trick.
AnnaB
Member
12 years ago
I know how you feel. The first time I had more than a week between medical appointments felt so strange. Hope the antibiotics do the trick.
Linda27
Member
12 years ago
Thank you for all your responses and advice. I had a bit of a set back this morning having developed an infection behind my little finger nail (the dodgiest looking one) . Rang my onocologist who advised me that I needed some antibiotics so off to the GP this arvo and here I was thinking that I was free of appointments for the next couple of weeks while waiting for my radiation treatment.
AnnaB
Member
12 years ago
There seems to be a degree of plain luck as to what happens with nails. I had taxol also. Black nail polish was recommended to me by the Oncology nurses not to just keep nails strong but apparently UV radiation acts on the chemo at the nail bed so the dark colour works as a block out to hopefully avoid damage occuring. My public hospital didn't offer ice mitts so I just bought soft blue cold packs with me and put my toes and hands on the packs during chemo. There isn't any good data as to whether icing makes any difference. Luckily though I did not loose any nails.

Anna B
AnnaB
Member
12 years ago
There seems to be a degree of plain luck as to what happens with nails. I had taxol also. Black nail polish was recommended to me by the Oncology nurses not to just keep nails strong but apparently UV radiation acts on the chemo at the nail bed so the dark colour works as a block out to hopefully avoid damage occuring. My public hospital didn't offer ice mitts so I just bought soft blue cold packs with me and put my toes and hands on the packs during chemo. There isn't any good data as to whether icing makes any difference. Luckily though I did not loose any nails.

Anna B
Mich_x
Member
12 years ago
Are you all taking hair and nail supplement that you can get from health food shop or pharmacy. I had issues with nails going a bit manky but I didn't lose any and they didn't lift. During chemo etc. I was on a very expensive hair and nail supplement but now just what I get from pharmacy or health food shop if I can get to one. My nails are doing really well now and have been for quite a while now.

Lots of luv, Mich xoxoxooxxoox
mum2jj
Member
12 years ago
Mine were bruised and discoloured during chemo. About 3 weeks later they started to lift. I never lost a nail but they lifted about halfway down. Looked gross but they survived. My last chemo was in 2011 and nobody mentioned ice gloves to me. They sound like a good idea. I will be interested to see if they work. Good luck Linda. Paula /)