Treatment-related Nail Changes
What are treatment-related nail changes?
Many patients who undergo chemotherapy are surprised
to learn that their nails become brittle or discolored,
crack easily, or even fall off. The only parts of
the human body which continue to grow after adulthood
is reached are the hair and nails. In other words,
if it needs trimming, there’s a chance it will be
affected by chemotherapy.
How do people describe nail changes?
Individuals who have had their nails affected by
treatment say that fingernails are more likely to
be affected than toenails, due to a more rapids
growth pattern. Nails typically grow at a rate of
.05-1.2 millimeters per week
What happens to people when they experience nail
changes?
After chemotherapy begins, some people experience
changes in their nail beds such as discoloration,
clubbing or lifting of the nail away from the nail
bed. Some people also find a nail or nails may fall
off. If a nail is lost, it can take 6 months or
longer for it to re-grow. These nail changes are
especially common with chemotherapy such as Taxotere
(Docetaxel) and 5-FU (Fluorouracil).
What causes nail changes?
The reason that nails are affected is identical
to the reason hair is affected. Cancerous tumors
are made up of rapidly dividing cells, which chemotherapy
targets. However, rapidly dividing cells are also
crucial to the formation of hair and nails, and
chemotherapy cannot distinguish these “good” cells
from the cancerous ones. While normal cells can
repair themselves and re-grow, the cancer cells
will die. The result can be damaged or weakened
nails for the time of your treatment, when your
treatment is over, your nail beds will return to
normal and re-grow healthy nail.
How do people cope with nail changes?
-
Do not use alcohol-based nail
polish remover, the alcohol can dry the cuticle
and allow it to be injured and more prone to infection.
-
Avoid professional manicures
because the risk of infection from non-sterile
instruments is too great.
-
Avoid use of artificial nails
during treatment, as you are at increased risk
for fungal infection.
-
Wear light, cotton gloves when
gardening or doing outdoor work, rubber or latex
gloves when washing dishes to avoid injury to
the nail bed or cuticle.
-
Avoid injury to the nails or
cuticles by not biting your nails, hangnails or
cuticle. Gently trim nails and cuticle.
-
Massage a thick moisturizing
cream into the nail and nail bed 3-5 times per
week to promote healthy cuticles and encourage
re-growth. Light cotton gloves at bedtime after
putting lotion on can help promote moisturizing
the cuticle.
-
Nails that are lifting off the
nail bed can be difficult to manage. Keep your
nails neatly filed to keep them from catching
on fabric and other items, which can cause the
nail to break or tear.
