Products to stop my nails from splitting and snagging every day

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I’m having indefinite chemo. Side effects impact my nails….they constantly split and snag on everything. I can’t even hang up the washing or fold it up without snagging a nail. My thumbnails have had a vertical split in them for months…can’t get them to heal. I have to file snags about ten times a day, so my nails are all painfully short.

I tried false nails but the process of removing them every few weeks did their own damage, and I had to stop.

I have also tried Nailtiques Formula 3 Nail Protein (it’s a clear varnish) without any improvement. I also have various serums which don’t work.

Chemo nurses don’t have any advice.

I desperately need something that actually works! Anyone got any specific recommendations please?

I mention her all the time but I’d recommend looking at The Salon Life on YouTube. She has some amazing info for natural nail care. Admittedly she’s not medically trained so she wouldn’t be able to advise on chemo specifically but she has lots of easy, cost effective tips you could try. She also has a video on a vertical split.

The main thing I’d say to start with is keeping your nails short so they have less chance to catch and using oil regularly. Jojoba is one of the best.

You need this by Mavala!

Thank you. I will look up the YouTube videos.

How do I use Jojoba Oil? Do I put it on the whole nail? How would it absorb if I had a strengthening polish on? How often?

@cheshiregal13thank you. I have tried that one before without much difference sadly :(((

Just a tiny drop on your nails after washing your hands, as often as you can. Then warm oil soaks are good (and relaxing too). These are a couple of her videos to get you started.

The thing with hardeners is they can make your nails strong but inflexible and therore brittle. You only need hardener on certain types of nails. Jojoba oil is good because it can penetrate the layers of the nail plate, which makes it stronger but also flexible.

I would be looking at dietary supplements rather than a nail topical treatment. I can’t recommend one personally, but I would liken people’s nails to horse’s hooves (I know a lot more about hooves than nails 😂). People try all sorts of expensive goop. But often what the horse needs is some vitamins (mainly biotin but there are others).

I’m also going through cancer treatment, though mine is targeted therapy and not chemo. My nails look fantastic actually 🤷🏻‍♀️ but my joints are so swollen that it’s hard to walk. One thing you might consider is asking on a cancer specific forum. There is a group called Shine Cancer Support for people in their 20s to 40s with cancer and I bet someone on their Facebook group could recommend something.

I'd try biotin and collagen supplements, if they aren't contraindicated with the chemo.
Does take a few months to work though.

Do you use a crystal nail file ?

@henlake7thank you, I do already take both of those and have been for ten months.

@Nitgelno, I haven’t heard of them. What are the benefits compared to normal nail files please?

@BeretRaspberry@mindutopia
thank you both

I use the Leighton denny crystal file. Boots sell them. They're really smooth and prevent snagging.

LEIGHTON DENNY Renovate Nail Repair Cream 10ml from Amazon £12.60. The tube is tiny but lasts for ages 😊

I keep L'occitaine shea butter rose by me rub into the cuticles at night, that's where the nail is living apparently. My Italian friend soaks hers in olive oil. Both systems have worked for us.

@Nitgel I was just about to recommend the Leighton Denny Crystal nail file, it’s worked wonders for my nails. Mine were always splitting and snagging but the Crystal nail file seals the nail edge which prevents splitting. It definitely does work. https://leightondenny.com/products/crystal-nail-file-large-1?srsltid=AfmBOopEcVgxfAZg5rnRaCirC2IwpYW6B5Ods13scS1iOD326ih1eYc2

If your nails keep on splitting and snagging, you are at risk for developing an infection. You do not want this to happen while you are immuno suppressed.

Your nurses need to note the problem and look up solutions. It's not good enough to just shrug and say they have no idea how to address the problem. If they're stumped, they need to bring it to the oncologist.

If they won't do this on your behalf, p lease consider approaching the oncologist or insisting on seeing him or her, to get this problem on their radar and some sort of solution found.

@Nitgel @Lavendersquare thank you, I have ordered the crystal nail file you’ve both recommended.

@justasking111 thank you. I have some at home so will try on fingers

@dontgetmadgeteventhank you, I have ordered this now thanks to your advice

@mathanxiety I hear you. Oncologist also unbothered and said “ask the nurses”. They’re not bothered even if the nails come right off!