Hydrea leading to fingernail problems

[ashby7763]

I have ET and have been taking hydroxicarbomide for at least five years and recently have noticed delamination and loss of strength of fingernails, so much so one thumbnail has torn away...very painful. Is there any medication our there to combat this problem?

[pontygirl]

Hi

I'm very new to this site as only diagnosed with ET JAK2 last Monday. I am not on medication as yet but I have noticed my nails are breaking away so you have my sympathy on the nails. I failed to mention this to my Haematologist when I received my diagnosis. I will follow your nail situation with interest.

Received many replies to my first post last night and this feels like a really good site with wealth of knowledge.

Sorry I cannot help with the nails situation, but you have confirmed my suspicions that there is a connection between ET and my nails fast disappearing.

I will question this when I have BMB soon.

Good Luck.

[Mica11]

This is one I will be interested in knowing too. I have been on Hydroxycarbamide since October and my nails are so weak, flaking, splitting and not just horizontally but vertically too. I always used to take a hair, skin and nail supplement and still take it but it is now having no effect at all. Wearing nail varnish to try to strengthen them is not working either.

[Kelly2 in reply to Mica11]

Hi, do make sure you are allowed to take iron as these supplements usually contain it.

[Mica11 in reply to Kelly2]

Thanks Kelly, I did tell my consultant everything I was taking and he said it was ok for me but I have actually stopped taking it anyway because they stopped doing their job and they are the size of horse tablets too, not an easy swallow.

[MaryGoretti]

Hi Ashby7763

I have been on Hydroxycarbamide for about 9yrs (ET jak 2 + ) and from having very lovely nails they changed to cracked broken and scruffy.

Over the past year I use Nail Magic nail treatment and conditioner and use CND solar oil at least once per day usually going to bed and nails are now looking great again. It did take a few months to get there. Worth a try!

Mary

[Kelly2 in reply to MaryGoretti]

Hi Mary

What is CND solar oil?

Thank you

Kelly

[ashby7763]

Thanks so much Mary. As a bloke would this treatment still work, I'm not going to get funny looks am I?? Thanks again.

Michael

[MaryGoretti in reply to ashby7763]

Well Michael wouldn’t like to guarantee that😃 but I’m sure you can get non shine nail products so no one would know try “you tube “ Mary

[sksar]

Hi Michael,

I was pleased to see you had written a post regarding nail problems as I have been struggling with this myself recently. I too have been on hydroxy for just over 5 years and although my nails have not been great they seem to be getting for worse despite using `Sally Hanson vitamin E nail oil` from Boots which does help with the condition but does not with splitting/breaking of the nails. However, I do recall some time ago this question arising on this forum and someone recommended "Dr. Lewinn`s Renunail". This I am going to try if I can get hold of some as I can`t remember if a supplier was mentioned. Will let you know if I am successful and if it is worth trying.

Regards Sue

[Wyebird]

Hi Ashby I’m EY Carl. I haven’t had fingernail problems. However almond oil is excellent for dry nails. Maybe it could help.

[KevinJH]

Ding-dong - Avon calling....... Avon Care glycerine hand, nail & cuticle cream contains vitamin E, calcium and of course, glycerine. Keeps those nails lookin' good and feelin' fine. Being Avon, it's inexpensive - don't ask me how much as my wife orders it for me. Doesn't resolve the problem completely but does help enormously with the brittleness and nails cracking. And my hands - they feel so soft..... OK, this is sounding creepy now <cough>.

Seriously though - it's pretty good stuff and seems to help but of course there are other similar products available that may help. This does for me

[ashby7763]

Dear All

Thanks so much for all your replies. It's encouraging to hear crumbling nails are a common problem when taking hydroxicarbomide. What I find surprising is the deafening silence from the medical profession, surely they should be leading the way in finding a solution when so many of us suffer.

I've made a note of all your suggestions and will work my way through and let you know my findings in the fullness of time.

Especial thanks to Kevin JH for giving us all a chuckle!

Michael

[Reggieru in reply to ashby7763]

Hi

I had the same problem with my nails, now take nail and hair supplement which has been a game changer

Hope this hells

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