Clients and Chemotherapy
Nails Magazine. By: Karen Hodges. Photo: Luis Solis. One thing not widely known about cancer treatments is that not only is the hair affected, but usually the nails are traumatized as well. Basically, the body is fighting for health, and the energy and resources needed to grow hair and nails are diverted to more necessary functions. Preventative care may reduce the trauma to the nails and help your clients recover more quickly.
Common nail symptoms for clients undergoing chemotherapy are as follows:
- Ridges running horizontally across the nail beds after every treatment, with thinning between each ridge
- Dryness, splitting, and peeling
- Lifting from the nail bed
- Loss of all connective tissue under the nail plate
- Loss of the nail plate and exposure of the sole horn
- Infection by opportunistic microbes, such as yeast, fungi, and bacteria
- If ignored, secondary infections can occur as these microbes enter the already immuno-compromised environment.
The Best Medicine Is Prevention When a client is undergoing chemotherapy, the first step is to get your client to ask her doctor the following question: “My nail technician wants to know if it’s OK for her to give me a gentle, sanitary manicure or pedicure?” This alerts the physician to the fact that you are aware of the situation and will take due care of the client, thus making it easier for her to say yes. If you’re given clearance, then set appointments when your client’s blood count is likely to be high. She’ll know when this is, and it will be healthier for her.