Contents:
- Medical Video: What Your Nails Say About Your Health
- How to treat nails during chemotherapy
- 1. Do not take a shower using hot water
- 2. Use moisturizer
- 3. Use sunscreen
- 4. Routinely cut nails
- 5. Don't cum-pedi first
- 6. Take nail enhancer supplements
- 7. Avoid anything that causes irritation
Medical Video: What Your Nails Say About Your Health
Brittle nails, easy to break, and look blackish is one of the side effects of chemotherapy that may arise during your treatment. But calm down. There are many ways to treat nails to stay strong and healthy during chemotherapy. You can immediately practice all the tips below.
How to treat nails during chemotherapy
Chemotherapy often causes the skin to become dry so it is easily irritated. Instead of waiting to deal with these symptoms after treatment begins, you can take the steps below to reduce skin and nail problems about one week before starting chemotherapy treatment.
1. Do not take a shower using hot water
Bathing with hot water can make the skin dry, as well as the nail cuticle. Moreover, take a shower hot water can dilate blood vessels, causing the skin to become more sensitive and appear reddish rashes.
2. Use moisturizer
Routine applying moisturizer is not only useful for treating body skin, but also can maintain and protect nail health. Moisturizers can moisturize the nail cuticles, and reduce the occurrence of cracks and ruptures at the tip and surface of the nail.
Use moisturizers at least twice a day after bathing to treat your nails and skin during chemotherapy. Make sure you apply moisturizer evenly to each finger and surface of the nail.
Choose moisturizers that have high oil content, but do not contain many chemicals. Discuss further with your doctor about moisturizing products that are safe for you.
3. Use sunscreen
During chemotherapy, the skin will usually be more sensitive to sun exposure. If you want to leave the house, don't forget to apply a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 to protect the skin from UV radiation. Reapply every two hours if you plan to linger outside the house.
Not only that, you are also advised to use a wide-brimmed hat and closed clothing or long sleeves to protect yourself from exposure to direct sunlight.
4. Routinely cut nails
Always make sure your nails are short. However, do not cut, cut, damage, tear, erode, or remove cuticles. The cuticle is the skin layer at the base of the growth of the nail, which serves as a natural barrier to fungi and bacteria.
Eliminating nail cuticles is the same as you remove the natural protection system of your nails. Cutting the cuticle can also have an impact on nail infections that will cause a red rash, swelling, uneven nails, even permanent damage to your nails.
5. Don't cum-pedi first
In the meantime, avoid manicure or pedicure treatments first. Not all nail care products on the market have a good effect on nails. Examples are nail hardener, nail polish, fake nails, and nail cleansers. These products have a high risk of damaging your nails which are indeed fragile during chemotherapy.
Instead of beautifying the appearance of nails with mani-pedi, your nails may even become more brittle and yellowish. Even though in fact, healthy nails are flexible nails (easy to move, not hard). So to prevent it from breaking or brittle, avoid using chemicals that are not yet clear.
After chemotherapy is complete, you can resume your semia-pedi routine as usual.
6. Take nail enhancer supplements
Summarized from various studies, biotin supplements can increase nail thickness and prevent nails from cracking and breaking easily. But to be safer, talk to your doctor before you start using any medication to ensure that the substance does not interact with your chemotherapy drugs.
7. Avoid anything that causes irritation
As:
- The use of detergents containing fragrances and softeners. This also applies to the use of soap, cream, or bath soap.
- Alcohol and astringets which will dry out the skin.
- Skin peeling treatment.
In addition, pay close attention to the appearance of your nails. If you find signs of nail infection, you can soak your fingers or hands in a basin of 15 minutes of white vinegar every night. This solution can help kill bacteria and dry the infected area.
Remember, always consult a doctor first before you do various treatments related to the skin. If it's already severe, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics for infection with your nails.
