Onycholysis - lifting of my fingernails from the nail bed

@jtee hello congratulations on getting through chemo.  So sorry to see this has happened to you so severely. 
 I was able to put my hands in rubber gloves and jugs of  ice  during taxol chemo. It was so cold but I kept persevering.
 I didn't get my toes cold enough so i have problems with my big toe nails lifting.   It was so so painful.  I had tears too.  I saw the podiatrist who cut the big toe nails down to next to nothing.  The whole time I was thinking please stop as it was so painful.  Wearing shoes  and socks was near impossible. I wore scuffs and thongs.  I finished chemo in November 20 and my toe nails are slowly growing back.  Still look ugly but they are growing back.   I still have pn in my toes.  I cant add anything else but as ladies have suggested do see your Dr as soon as possible for pain relief and infection control.  Sending you hugs and it does get better.

While the nail problem is definitely a known side effect of chemo, so apparently is fungal infection. Hard to tell what is what if your nails are badly discoloured, splitting, flaking and lifting. But several years on, I have finally realised that the one remaining spot (large toenail) is fungal, am treating it and it’s disappearing  - slowly, but I can wait! 

@AllyJay @jtee - My hubby's toenails are horrible too ..... and have been since his first lot of chemo in 2010 (he started chemo again in March for Stage 4.) 
For years, we spent a fortune on anti nail fungus stuff (completely forgetting it was caused by the chemo!)  They even wanted him to take those tablets that can stuff up your kidneys ..... but we said no. 

His toenails are all caked, flakey & just plain ugly - all of them - but his fingernails are ok.  It wouldn't take much for toenails to peel off.  :(  He had a small infection in one that made it painful - we have a lovely local podiatrist who cleaned it up .... if you can see a good podiatrist to start off with, @jtee - I reckon they could put you on the path to recovery.  They would know if you needed antibiotics or not & when to see the GP for that.  When you ring them - tell them it is urgent as you are on chemo xx. (It worked with hubby for an 'early appt' initially!)  Good luck xx

@jtee...Thank you, yes..things have settled aside from my big toe on the right. It's not painful, but I get embarrassed when wearing sandals as I feel others may think I have fungal feet. Aside from that, it's just cosmetic now.

@AllyJay Thanks so much - yes, I feel your pain too! A blister pack of tablets had me in tears last night, and typing is very slow and difficult using the pads of my fingers instead of the tips, and pressing so gently down. A pen is a great idea! as is the idea of putting strips of foam over the tips.  Although I wouldn't wish it on anyone else, it is strangely comforting to know I am not the only one to experience this! I hope everything has healed up for you now?  :)   

@jtee Yes, I also had problems with my nails. For me, one very painful thing to do was to push the tablets out of a foil flat pack. Excruciating. I cut my nails very short then cut a piece of sheet foam, about as thick as your pinky fingernail, into strips long enough to go from under, then over the tip, then over to in underside of each affected finger up to the first joint. I then wrapped micropore around the finger to secure. Also tucked in the sticky outy bits at the fingertips. I looked a real sight, but it was the only thing that kept me from tears. I used a pen to type on the keyboard and to push the buttons on my landline phone. The big toenail on my left foot developed pussy pockets along the side of the nail, and these I drained after first boiling and then cooling a very sharp sewing needle and piercing the covering skin. I then applied a dry dressing. The large toenail on the right never got pussy, but it's still thick and chalky, and has fallen off completely four times now. Finished chemo in April 2017. I was assured that this was not a fungal infection and that keeping dry (fingers and toes) was best as ointment of any sort would just make it soggy and that this would leave me prone to a fungal infection on top of this chemo damage. I hope this helps, even if it's just to know that I understand what you are experiencing.

I have it in the toenails but not the fingernails. Yes, 5 years later I still have it in my toenails but over Winter I have been very inactive and touch wood the nails are finally growing out instead of constantly receding. Perhaps you are doing too much with your hands and the nails need a break? I would be getting my GP to have a look at the nails as I could also be a fungal nail bed thing which could require treatment.

Hi @jtee, that sounds horrible for you. Have you contacted your oncologist? I had a toe nail come off about 6 months after taxol but a new one came through. All my nails are bad after chemo but nothing like what you are experiencing. I think contacting your dr is the way to go.  Best wishes to you. I hope you don't have to suffer much more of that pain. Sending a hug 🌻

Sorry to hear that, @jtee - that sounds horrible.  Can you contact your Breast Care nurse (if you have one) or your Onc/Cancer Centre?  Would using that 'paper tape' bandaid (that you buy in rolls from the chemist) - put it on top of the fingernail & (not tightly) around & onto the pad of the finger help at least 'holding it down' so it doesn't catch on things? xx

@Locksley @AllyJay  .... your fingernails were hurting/lifting?  Are you able to help xx


I hope someone can come up with some help. xx

@jtee
Hope this link gives you comfort to know it's a possible side effect and suggestions within 

https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/nail-changes/