We’re very sorry to hear you have been going through chemotherapy treatment and our team sends their best wishes to you.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy can have a range of long lasting adverse effects on nail health for several reasons:
Cell Division Inhibition: Chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. Unfortunately, the drugs can also affect the rapidly dividing cells in the nail matrix, where new nail cells are formed. This interference with nail cell production can lead to abnormal nail growth and changes in texture.
Nail Matrix Damage: The nail matrix, located under the base of the nail, is particularly vulnerable to chemotherapy-induced damage. Damage to the nail matrix can result in the formation of ridges, pitting and discolouration on the nails.
Dryness and Brittleness: Chemotherapy can disrupt the body's natural oil production, leading to dry and brittle nails. These weakened nails are more susceptible to cracking, splitting and breaking.
It's important to note that not all chemotherapy drugs have the same impact on nail health, and the severity of these effects can vary from person to person. Patients undergoing chemotherapy should discuss potential nail-related side effects with their healthcare team and explore strategies for managing and protecting their nail health during treatment.
It’s unlikely that any topical product will assist with your nails after such a strong drug and your nails may never recover.