This is a bit of silly post but I’ve had Polybalm for months now but do t use it as much as I should because I find the applicator so difficult! I’ve even tried to see if there are any videos online of how to use it because it’s just so stupid to me that I think I must be doing something wrong. I find it so difficult to actually get any of the cream / ointment onto the little wand thing, let alone to get it onto my cuticles. Why don’t they just have a tub to dip your fingers into? Am I missing something??
@fiona1980 I had the same problem!
My husband used a small hand saw (scissors weren’t strong enough to cut through the plastic) and carefully cut each tube halfway down.
It’s so much easier to scoop out as you can actually see what you’re doing and the balm is quite thick. HTH!
@fiona1980 and @poptart I had the same problem too! As the balm was so stiff and thick and unspreadable, I put my tubes into a plastic bag, then stood them in a mug and poured hot water in. After a couple of minutes the balm was soft enough to apply to my nails…hope this helps! x
@poptart and @eddiesmum, I’m glad I’m not crazy! But how stupid is this! Just sell the (very pricey) balm in a pot. Done. During the winter I kept mine on the radiator hoping the heat would improve the situation. But then I just forgot about it.
Unsurprisingly I’ve had same problem. To be fair if you read the detailed instructions online it says to warm it in your hands for several minutes first. It does loosen if you warm it (I also have used the radiator!). I think it’s what it’s made from, it obviously solidifies when cool. I’ve been using it for 9 weeks, sometimes warm other times just scraping the cold stuff out, and I have to say I’ve had no nail issues, so I suspect it does the job regardless of what state it is in when you apply it!
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You need to warm it up first, I put it in my pocket for a short while and then it’s much easier to apply.
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It is very thick. I havent really tried warming it up yet, I just kind of scrap it across to get some onto my nails. Ive also been using castor oil on my nails. It absorbs really well so I must need it haha
I found this, then went on a nail course and someone recommended The Good Soap company balm - that’s in a pot - and only £6.25! I’m sure it does exactly the same, I used the cheaper version after running out and my nails were fine all through chemo 
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Ha ha just saw this! Those pots really annoyed me too. When you get about three quarters of the way down the silly wands don’t even reach to the bottom so you can’t access £££ worth of product you paid for. I used a wooden barbecue skewer broken in half to get the rest out!!
It works though I think (my nails have been fine) but is definitely very over priced. Interesting that @loupy was recommended a much cheaper version!!
I also read about some research done somewhere that suggested it was more the act of regular massaging and moisturising than the specific ingredients that gave the benefit.
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I started using Polybalm twice a day on my fingernails and toenails the week before I started TC chemo in January and am still using it now (although have almost finished my second lot!). My toenails have been totally unaffected but my fingernails are currently like this. I’ve used it as directed and I dare say it’s helped my cuticles and can see growth coming through but I absolutely hate how they look! Add that to my bald head and I look delightful! 
I also agree about how hard it is to get it out of the tubes! x
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Crikey @anncuk hope they aren’t too painful? 
@loupy They’ve been sooo sore, my fingertips are still numb though so it’s a very weird feeling! I feel like some of them want to try and fall off but I’ll be doing everything I can to stop it from happening! x
Oh bloody hell @anncuk thats rubbish, I so feel for you! The things we have to go through 
Sending you lots of love - hope they get better soon 
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@loupy Thank you! x 
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Hi @anncuk sorry to hear you’ve had such a bad time of it with your nails. As with everything chemo related, we all seem to be affected differently. I used the poly balm ( only one lot, maybe as I didn’t always use it every day) but have been v lucky and not had any problems, apart from a couple of toenails looking slightly yellowish. Finished chemo about a month ago. My fingernails were a bit tender and I abandoned trying to eat pistachio nuts , but all ok now.
I can see that the new growth at bottom of your nails looks good, and nice and pink, so hopefully all will grow back to normal soon. Xx
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@nib32 Thanks so much, I appreciate you saying that! I will focus on the healthy bits and hopefully they will grow out and be a distant memory in a few months! x
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