Side effect: Nail bed pain, darkening and lifting

[Dancer1000]

Has anyone experienced this painful horrific side effect?? I am on Taxol (one more round to go thank God) and I am experiencing this. None have lifted yet but it feels like its on its way to doing so. Even typing this post is painful.

[PJBinMI]

I heard about side effects like this when I was first diagnosed, mbc from the get go, and meeting others with bc and mbc. I don't remember what the best thing to do about this is, though I think some used tea tree oil and/or vit E oil. Onc nurses often know alot about managing side effects. I hope you find something that will help with this.

[NamasteLove]

Sorry to hear that you have to deal with this side effect. I was on Taxol. I had nail darkening and neuropathy. I didn't have peeling, but have heard some suggestions to help with that. I was told to apply tea tree oil to the nail beds. I also SLATHER my hands before bedtime with castor oil or coconut oil- I prefer castor. You can wear cotton gloves after you appy, if you like.

I use castor oil on my face and bald head. It is a great hair and skin conditioner and protectant (it really locks in moisture).

Hope this helps.

One more round!!! That's great news!

Be well.

Nama

[Dancer1000 in reply to NamasteLove]

Hi thanks for the reply! Will see if I can get some tea trea oil. I am a long time user of castor oil for my hair etc and I make my own moistureizer with whipped shea butter and essential oils. i am always keeping my hands and cuticles moisturized because I have lymphedema.

[MacroMom]

I have had 8 rounds of Abraxane (a taxane similar to Taxol) and am having nail issues too. At first they get a little painful with a reddish bruise spot under the nail, like I hit it with something. Then my nails have started to curl up gradually, making the whites bigger as they move down the nail. It started on the middle finger of one hand and now an index finger. I'm using a nail balm to keep them moisturized but nobody seems to have suggestions for saving the nail. I'd love to hear some! Lucky you to be at the end of Taxol; I understand I'll be on Abraxane as long as it's working, which I hope is a long, long time. Thanks for asking, I was just thinking to ask for nail suggestions too!

[Dancer1000 in reply to MacroMom]

That is exactly how it is happening to me! A couple of replies mentioned tea tree oil. I use shea butter and essential oils. Will try the tea tree oil too.

[MacroMom in reply to Dancer1000]

Another friend here recommended PolyBalm which I'm using. It's lovely and I'm sure it's helping keep the nails moisturized, but doesn't seem to be preventing the lifting. Here's a link to it: polybalm.com/buy-polybalm-usa/

[Arisgram]

I have been using a red laser light. It helped my hair loss. Fingers crossed. Good luck.

[Dancer1000 in reply to Arisgram]

Thanks for the reply! A red laser light?? I haven't heard about this.

[Staysha]

I had this while on taxotere. My finger nails are fine now. They look normal. However some of my toe nails completely fell off. They have “sort of” grown back but still look horrible. I’ve just been painting them myself. My outlook is I can deal with that.

Best wishes,

Stacy

[MacroMom in reply to Staysha]

Stacy, what happens when they fall off? Is there enough of a layer under them to just let them be out in the open or did you have to keep your toes bandaged? I feel like I can deal with any cosmetic nail issues too, just don't want to risk an infection when blood counts are already low. Thanks!

[Staysha in reply to MacroMom]

Mine did not hurt. I didn’t have to wear any bandages. I didn’t feel them fall off. I would just notice it was gone. I only had one toe nail that didn’t. My finger nails never fell off. They turned almost black. They were disgusting. It started with white horizontal lines. Then a blue purple bruise. Then to almost black. Some worse than others. Some colors of polish wouldn’t even cover it up. They just eventually grew out. I put vitamin e oil on them sometimes. Mostly I just kept them polished.

Hope this helps.

[MacroMom in reply to Staysha]

That does help, thanks! I'm relieved that they aren't painful when they fall off. Such a weird thing....we take nails for granted until they aren't there! Glad to hear they grew back too.

[Dancer1000 in reply to Staysha]

I just noticed a couple of day ago that my toes are feeling tender now too. The nails are painful but haven't fallen off yet. Slightly lifting at the corner. I figure they will eventually grow back but it is hell when its happening.

[misshope]

I just spoke with an oncologist dermatologist about my lifting nail bed issues (it occurred while on Taxol and now on Ibrance). He said to soak the fingers in a solution of equal amounts of white vinegar and water. Then was prescribed an antibiotic cream to use on the nails. Finally, lots of moisturizer and perhaps a nail strengthening polish. I just purchased a plant based polish to avoid parabens.

[Dancer1000 in reply to misshope]

Hi misshope. Great advice. Will def start soaking and hoping its not too late. I have non-toxic nail polish as well. During lockdown have been throwing out all regular cosmetics and replacing with non-toxic vegan ones. Found great foundation at Ilia.com and lipstick at axiology.com.

[misshope in reply to Dancer1000]

I'll check out the makeup recommendations!

[morty87]

My large toe nails have each fallen off (reg Chemo in 2006) and never came back normally. They look awful but with the help of my manicurist, I have acrylic on my large toes and cosmetically no one knows they are fake! Give it a try!

[urthmothr]

How are your nails now? I just noticed numbness in fingers and toes about a week ago, and now they are darkening. My final Taxol infusion is a week away. I'm wondering how long it takes for the numbness and darkening to clear up after the final chemo?