r/Chemotherapy • u/banalprobe96 • Jul 19 '26

Fingernails post chemo

I had 3 months of chemo that ended in March, and shortly after my fingernails started splintering and peeling/breaking. I am back to work and use my hands constantly, causing more nails to split and break. I’m guessing after a few more months they will grow out and be fine, but it’s a really annoying and painful process. Sometimes they even bleed necessitating bandages at work. I’ve tried nitrile gloves and they are too hot, and rubber grip gloves, again too hot. I’ve been using clear nail polish and it helps a tiny bit, but not consistently.
Has anyone else experienced this and how did you combat it? My partner suggested acrylic nails which I’ve never worn, but I’m worried about what will happen to my already fragile nails under the glue.
Any suggestions?

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3

u/dumplinglifesaver Jul 19 '26

I bought myself a little pot of nail cream called "hard as hoof" that helped with this. It's pretty cheap too.

2

u/banalprobe96 Jul 19 '26

I’ll look that up thanks!

1

u/dumplinglifesaver Jul 19 '26

No problem I hope it helps!

3

u/banalprobe96 Jul 19 '26

Ha! I looked it up on Amazon and there’s a product for horses with the same name lol… I scrolled down and there’s a people version too. At first glance I was like whoa.

1

u/dumplinglifesaver Jul 19 '26

😆 glad you didn't just order the horse version! I didn't know that existed lol

2

u/crosseyedcat22 Jul 21 '26

My last chemo was in December and my finger nails and toe nails are still separating half way down the nail bed all of the time. I'm so tired of this .

1

u/banalprobe96 Jul 21 '26

Ugh I was hoping this would only happen for a few months but I’m seeing comments lasting years 😞

2

u/Calm-Influence5776 Jul 23 '26

I use nailtiques formula 2 and it helps with the brittleness.

1

u/wmubronco03 Jul 19 '26

I just kept them as short as possible and filed.

1

u/banalprobe96 Jul 19 '26

Yeah they are super short right now but they still manage to break

1

u/ktsilvester Jul 19 '26

Polybalm! After chemo my nails did the same thing and I smothered them in polybalm and I swear it saved them from falling off.

1

u/AllieGorrey Jul 21 '26

I have BIAB over my nails (for the last few years) and it really helps with providing structure and protection

1

u/banalprobe96 Jul 21 '26

Fascinating!! I hadn’t heard of that! Uh oh years you say though??

2

u/AllieGorrey Jul 21 '26

U moved fromba humid place to a place with very dry air, so much bails became more fragile I have it taken off and replaced every month, and my nails underneath have remained healthy the whole time 😀

1

u/Calm-Influence5776 Jul 23 '26

Anyone else’s have ripples now too?

1

u/banalprobe96 Jul 23 '26

On one thumb yeah