HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Another fingernail post....permanent damage

weezie1053 · 03-30-2008, 08:23 PM

I have read and participated in several threads regarding the damage to our nails caused by chemo. I am just curious if if any of you have had permanent damage to your nails. I completed my Taxol cocktails in Feb 07. Prior to the end of my treatment, I experienced the blackening of the nails (Gothic Barbie) on all ten nails, and I had a really bad infection in my middle finger I use to flick folks off (only kidding). This particular nail had to be drained and I was placed on antibiotics. One year later, the nail is still damaged in that half the nail is white in color, and the other half of the nail is the skin color. The skin often splits like a papercut which I have read other have experienced as well. I regularly use the tea tree oil which does help with the skin cracking; however, nothing seems to change the appearance of the actual nail. Has anybody else had permanent damage done to a nail? My nails are still very short due to the constant splitting, but I can live with that. Just wondering if I am alone insofar as what looks like permanent nail damage???

The good new is that I will be sporting toenails this year with my sandals. Life is good!

Louise

03-30-2008, 08:23 PM	#1
weezie1053 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bedford, Virginia Posts: 134	Another fingernail post....permanent damage I have read and participated in several threads regarding the damage to our nails caused by chemo. I am just curious if if any of you have had permanent damage to your nails. I completed my Taxol cocktails in Feb 07. Prior to the end of my treatment, I experienced the blackening of the nails (Gothic Barbie) on all ten nails, and I had a really bad infection in my middle finger I use to flick folks off (only kidding). This particular nail had to be drained and I was placed on antibiotics. One year later, the nail is still damaged in that half the nail is white in color, and the other half of the nail is the skin color. The skin often splits like a papercut which I have read other have experienced as well. I regularly use the tea tree oil which does help with the skin cracking; however, nothing seems to change the appearance of the actual nail. Has anybody else had permanent damage done to a nail? My nails are still very short due to the constant splitting, but I can live with that. Just wondering if I am alone insofar as what looks like permanent nail damage??? The good new is that I will be sporting toenails this year with my sandals. Life is good! Louise __________________ Diagnosis 06/06 - Stage II-A BC; BC was 2.5 cm, grade 2; ER/PR negative & HER-2/neu positive; Mastectomy w/ reconstruction (implant) in 09/06;lymph nodes - negative; AC/Cytoxin combo - 4 treatments (dose dense); Taxol/Herceptin combo- 12 weekly treatments; Completed chemo - 2/07; completed restruction 02/07; reduction of left breast. BRCA 1 and 2 negative - 6/15/07;DX high risk for distant recurrence MRI, 08/02/07 - NED 1 year Anniversary - 09/07; completed Herceptin 11/07. Mammo 02/14/08 - NED; MRI - 08/2008 - NED 2 year Anniversary - 09/08 Mammo 02/09 - NED; MRI - 08/09 - NED 3rd year Anniversary - 09/09 5th Annivery - 09/2011 - NED