Patient Education
CARE AND TREATMENT
Nail Changes During
Cancer Treatment
How will my treatment affect my nails?
If you have any
questions or
concerns,
please ask your
doctor or nurse.
During your treatment, you may notice certain changes in
your nails. They may become dark or yellow. They may also
become cracked and brittle, growing less and breaking more
easily. Your nails may also develop lines related to cycles of
chemotherapy. These lines are not permanent and will grow out
with the nail in about 6 months. The area around the nail bed
may also become dry, and cuticles may fray. The nail may lift
off the nail bed.
Most of these changes do not last once treatment is stopped.
In the meantime, there are steps you can take to help prevent or
ease some of these problems.
What can I do if my nails begin to change?
Clip nails short and do not rip or peel off loose cuticles. Cut
them carefully with a clean pair of nail scissors, or use cuticle
remover cream or gels and push your cuticles back gently.
Massage cuticle cream into the cuticle area daily to help
prevent dryness, splitting, and hangnails. Do not bite nails or
cuticles. If this habit is difficult to break, try wearing thin, white
cotton gloves at home to help you.
Do not use fake nails, acrylics, or other nail wraps as they can
trap bacteria. Use nail polish only if your nails are healthy
and then use only non–acetone-based remover. If you have a
manicure done, bring your own tools to help protect against
infection.
Protect your nails by wearing gloves while doing chores around
the house, such as washing dishes or gardening.
If you nail is pulling away from the nail bed, be sure to keep the
area clean. This will help prevent an infection under the nail.
Patients First
Health Information Resources
For more information, visit one of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Health Learning
Centers. These state-of-the-art health libraries are located on the third floor of the Galter
Pavilion and on the first floor of the Prentice Women’s Hospital. Health information
professionals are available to help you find the information you need and provide you
with personalized support at no charge. You may contact the Health Learning Centers
by calling 312-926-LINK (5465) or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
For additional information about Northwestern Memorial Hospital, please visit our
Web site at www.nmh.org.
Para asistencia en español, por favor llamar a el departamento de representantes para pacientes al 312-926-3112.
Northwestern Memorial is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes, respects and serves with dignity all people and does not discriminate, including in hiring, or employment, or
admission, or access to, or treatment in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, disability, handicap, age, Vietnam or other veteran status, sexual
orientation or any other status protected by relevant law. To arrange for TDD/TTY, auxiliary aids and foreign language interpretation services, call the Patient Representative department at
312-926-3112, TDD number 312-926-6363. Issues related to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should be directed to the director of Employee Relations or designee at 312-926-7297.
Developed by: Oncology Nursing
© September 2009 Northwestern Memorial Hospital
For more information about Northwestern Memorial Hospital, please visit www.nmh.org.
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