I had chemo, and have had 30 radiation treatments w/ 3 more to go, My finger nails are coming loose from the skin, could this be due from the radiation treatments ? BJ
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Q: Can radiation treatments cause your fingernails to come off ?
Answers (2)
10/31/09 9:04pm
Hi BJ - I think it's more likely a residual effect of the chemo. I have several friends who had trouble with loose nails after chemo. Be sure you're getting 1500mg of calcium and 1000IU of vitamin D daily, either via diet or supplements; that will help strengthen your nails. And next time you see your oncologist, ask him/her, too; perhaps s/he can prescribe something. Good luck - PJH
11/ 1/09 11:42am
Nails and hair undergo similar changes. They are both made up of Protein and Keratin. It therefore makes sense if we lose our hair we may also lose our nails. Once treatment has finished things should return to normal. Although nails do seem to take longer than hair to return. However ,as after treatment we are at our lowest ebb ,healthwise, it makes sense to tell your Doctor as sometimes it can be a Fungi. Simple to treat but always best to make sure. If you lose your toe nails becareful ,
it hurts much more when you stub them.
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