Nail Polish Allergy Treatment in St. Louis, Missouri

Nail Acrylate Allergy

Acrylates are derived from acrylic acid and are commonly found in cosmetic nail preparations. Acrylate nail treatments are favored by many consumers for their resistance to chipping and scratching. Gels, dips, and nail wraps typically contain some form of allergenic acrylate, and can therefore trigger nail acrylate allergies. It is commonly referred to as an acrylic nail allergy.

Allergenic variants of acrylate have been identified in modern nail treatments, including 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, ethyl cyanoacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, ethyl cyanoacrylate, ethyl cyanoacrylate and isopropyl-2-cyanoacrylates. This is not an exhaustive list of allergy triggering acrylates.

Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin (TSFR) Allergy

in St. Louis, Missouri

Nail Polish Allergy Symptoms

Nail polish allergy symptoms typically presents in the form of contact dermatitis (skin allergy) on the hands, fingers, or wrists where there has been direct contact with the allergenic substance. The skin may be red, bumpy, scaly, itchy or swollen. Though less common, dermatitis of the face, neck, abdomen, or thighs can also occur.

Because of ongoing exposure, nail technicians and other professions that work around acrylics tend to have significantly worse symptoms if they are allergic to acrylates. Common nail polish allergy symptoms are:

• Pulpitis: inflammation of the fingertips
• Cutaneous fissures: cracks in the skin
• Subungual hyperkeratosis: chalky substance under the nails
• Onycholysis: nail separates from the nail bed
• Nail dystrophy: abnormal changes in shape, color, texture of fingernails
• Paresthesia: burning, prickly, or numb sensation (rare)
• Hives: rash of red welts (rare)
• Upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as difficulty breathing (rare)

Nail Polish Allergy Testing

A diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history. Dr. Cajigal will ask you questions about your contact with nail treatment products and other common skin allergens. If your experiences are consistent with nail acrylate allergy, then skin testing or patch testing is typically the next step.

Skin Testing

Patch Testing

in St. Louis, Missouri

Nail Polish Allergy Treatment

Avoidance

If your diagnosis is confirmed, we typically recommend avoiding acrylic nail treatments altogether and look for an alternative allergy free nail polish. However, if you continue to use acrylic nail treatments, you should avoid skin exposure and direct contact with objects and surfaces contaminated with allergenic nail products.

Moisturizers and Topical Ointments

Protection

If you work with acrylates as a nail technician or another profession, nitrile gloves are recommended to shield you from acrylate exposure while maintaining dexterity. Nitrile gloves are considered to be effective for 15 to 30 minutes of exposure, after which a glove change is recommended. If your work requires longer exposure to acrylics, industrial grade gloves, such as Silver Shield/4H gloves, may be effective but tend to limit dexterity. Dexterity can be maintained in this case by cutting off the fingertips of industrial grade gloves and wearing them underneath a standard nitrile glove.

References