Fake fingernails to thwart chipping from IB?

Has anyone tried using fake fingernails to protect their fingernails from chipping? I'm getting a bit desperate as the 10,000 mcg of Biotin hasn't been a solution these past 10-12 months. As a guy, I've never worn fake nails so I don't know if there is a drawback - my wife suggests that the fake nails might not let the real ones breathe properly. I haven't discussed this with my hematologist and my next appt isn't until July. Anyone tried this?

[MistyMountainHop]

I think your wife is correct about your real nails not being able to breathe....... You may need some kind of glue to attach the fake nails, which could lead to infection..

[Hidden in reply to MistyMountainHop]

Cripes. Looked that up and found this page with several warnings about fake nails, especially infection - as if we don't have enough of that issue with CLL and Ibrutinib already

steptohealth.com/dangers-us...

I just want a New Normal that doesn't suck.

[MistyMountainHop in reply to Hidden]

I'll have to look in the dictionary...... I've forgotten what normal means....

[SofiaDeo]

What are you using topically? Nail repair creams or oils, or a nail strengthening brush on product, will help with water damage. I used them constantly when I was working, I was hand washing a lot. I am just using a cuticle oil plus heavy cream now, plus a base coat, with all the extra Covid hand washing & sanitizers. Especially right before bed, I keep product on the nightstand.

There are micronutrients other than biotin needed for nails. Maybe consider a specific nail supplement, instead of plain biotin? And how is your diet overall? If you are a big guy, your body itself likely needs 1.5gm of Vit C at a minimum for other tissues besides nails, how is your Vit C intake?

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[Hidden in reply to SofiaDeo]

I use the Witchcraft nail strengthener and nail repair - Sally Hansen does not cut it. Lots of Vit C each day. Haven't tried collagen as Ann and MrsSmith suggest.

[SofiaDeo in reply to Hidden]

In addition to bone broth (winter), I buy the packs of powdered gelatin and make popsicles with a packet of gelatin in them (summer). Soften the gelatin by sprinkling on top of 1/4 cup (120ml) cold water in an 8 cup (2 L) measuring cup or medium saucepan. Then add the boiling water and flavoring (I like lemon juice). The popsicles aren't rock hard, and I get some gelatin for my nails.

For nail creams, try Barielle or Mane & Tail Hoofmaker. I think those are better than any Sally Hansen or Revlon product. I do my own mix of organic beeswax with nilotica shea butter nowadays, but when I was working I used the aforementioned two. If there's inflammation, I add kukui nut oil or use it plain. I am more about "natural" stuff nowadays. Anything from the Australian company Miessence is also awesome. I buy their Body Wash and shampoos, their hair products, and makeup also. They do a Lip Balm that contains innocuous ingredients and could be carried around in a pocket to apply to nails throughout the day. Being in the US, I buy it online.

[annmcgowan]

Hi I have been on ibrutinib 3 years now and never resolved the nail problem yet. I use the same amount of biotin as you with no effect. I also use nail creams and strengtheners that brush on. These come in clear colours which you may prefer and can be purchased easily at your pharmacy. None of these have helped my nails

I have been told to try collagen so am trying that now on top of all the other things.

I had extremely long and tough nails before ibrutinib so have never tried false nails but I would agree with your wife.

Good luck

Ann

[mrsjsmith]

Sorry but I am with Ann on this and I have taken biotin for ages and anything recommended on here, and nothing works. Though I am interested in Ann’s comments on collagen and I do like boiling chicken carcasses for the broth, which I believe is a good source of collagen.

Sadly it’s trial and error and seeing what works, but do avoid the fake nails that will weaken your nails further.

Colette

[Jemorgen]

I just started using a paint on product called veralac. It’s super expensive - $45/bottle - but it seems to be making a difference. It evaporates after it dries (quickly) do there’s no shine of a polish.

I didn’t notice anything with biotin then my dermatologist told me there’s not really any evidence. And of course it can mess with certain blood tests.

I’ve also found a great product for cracks and fissures: Uriage Beriederm. There are a few different ones so make sure you get the one for fissures. I use it at night and so far so wonderful!

[SofiaDeo in reply to Jemorgen]

Verelac looks like a great product! There's research behind it:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

This study lists the European names for this product. It's a small study, barely clinically significant patient numbers (87) , but appears to have been well done.

I can't find an ingredient list, so can't comment on whether or not the inert ingredients are a concern.

[Jemorgen in reply to SofiaDeo]

Here are the ingredients:

Methylsulfonylmethane 5%

Equisetum arvense 2.5:1

Purified water

Ethanol

Propylene glycol

Hydroxypropyl-chitosan

Ethoxdiglycol

[dmmck]

I use Barielle nail strengthening cream. I buy it on Amazon. It took a couple of months before I noticed a difference. My nails still break easily, but I rarely get those painful chips and splits any more.I have to keep them trimmed quite short.

[morepork]

I can empathise with all of you - my nails constantly split both vertically and horizontally if I put any pressure on them. It was suggested I try a Blackmores Skin, Hair and Nail supplement ( Keratin deficiency ) as hair and skin both affected as well but, possibly fortunately, my stomach rejected it , as research suggested no proven effect. Will look into Veralac, don't think it's in NZ. 😒

[SofiaDeo in reply to morepork]

Vertical splits can be a sign of magnesium deficiency. Many people can be deficient in this. Or you may just not absorb it as well as others.

IMO the RDA's of the vitamins are just indicators of what prevents overt disease in 2/3 the population. Large population studies, like drug dosing studies, get their numbers from how roughly 2/3 of a normal population responds. So there are always outliers that are approximately 1/3 a population. There are always exceptions to this "rule", of course.

Since to my knowledge no one has done studies on levels of vitamins/minerals for "optimum health", I tend to err on the side of taking a bit more than the RDA. But I also know I have a malabsorption issue identified from childhood. People have done studies on toxicity levels of some vitamin/minerals, and I stay well under those.

[Tracibfine]

You could actually do a clear gel manicure. A no chip nail polish that lasts a 2-3 weeks. Best option.

There are also clear acrylic. Just have them make them short.With acrylic you do run the risk of thinning, weakening nails after prolonged use. Then, be vigilant about fungus. (Rare) if you have then maintained often, you should be ok.

[Kmegood]

I haven’t tied fake nails. However use at times a polish called Hard As Nails. It works well but the nails still chip from tome to time . Worse are skin cracking near the thin and four finger quite painful . The winter months are worse with the cold dry temperatures. When I’ve been on imbruvica this is a side effect .

[dr007]

Desperate to the same level. Looked into it, But the super glue adhesive scared me off, as in trying to remove it and would it make the underlying nail even more brittle. I have been tempted to try silk overlays, They also glue on,, but don't have the problem of gaps that can allow space for bacteria etc.. They are supposed to also look natural. I haven't tried that yet, and probably would require a manicurist. Biotin, hair skin and nail vitamins, etc did nothing. I tried Sally Hansen and Maxus but didn't really do the job and seemed to dry out the nail when it was removed.

The best I have found is Claudia Steven's Miracle Nail repair. (Amazon) It's strong and durable. I work repairing industrial equipment and it lasts a week or more without a problem. I make sure I coat the very edge as it is the most vulnerable and gets the most wear. Single coat. I do that at night, then the next morning put a coat of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte topcoat on just to take away the shine. If the top coat is put on before the Miracld nail fix is completely dry it can soften the nail fix and make it less durable. After the Matte is on no one can tell there is anything on them at all. The top coat does wear and they will gradually get a bit shinier, but not dramatically.

An important part is not to use nail polish remover. It will dry out the nails and make their condition worse. I use pre packaged felt pad nail polish removers that have oil conditioners in them.

[SofiaDeo in reply to dr007]

I also coat along the edge of the tips as well as underside the nail. You need really clean nails, or any dirt gets sealed in hahaha ask me how I know

[dr007 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Yes, I try to get under the nail if possible, but typically little or no underside is exposed. They tend to crumble as soon as they get beyond the nail bed.

[Helentess]

Ask your doctor if you can take vitamin B6. I have taking it for 2 years now & my nails grow very quickly & very hard. No soft nails, no chipping or cracking at all. My nails are very strong. Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to Helentess]

Yes, I started B6 3-4 weeks ago. Waiting to see if that helps

[Big_Dee]

Hello CoachG

I am a guy, but it does seem my nails break easier since I had B+R treatment. I think it helps to keep nails trimmed short. Blessings.

[DelrayDave]

If I get a short split in the nail above the finger, the risk is that it will split down and cause pain. I have found KISS nail glue solves this. I do NOT glue the whole nail, only the split in the nail tip. But be careful where you put the glue. Just on the split in the tip.

I have also found, though I do not like it, that I have to keep the nails longer than I used to. If I cut them short they can grow into the side of the fingers.

I take biotin with no success. I must say this is one of the most difficult side effects of ib. Right now one of my thumbs has a side split that a doctor had to deal with. Hurts a lot.

David

[Cali69]

I have beyond ibrutinib since July. Have always had acrylic overlay. With COVID i stopped getting nails done and they would split, I got hang nails that got infected, etc. needless to say I recently was able to get acrylics again. You don’t need to have fake nails put on, you can ask them to apply the acrylic over your nails.