Manicures trigger rash, allergic reaction: ‘Lifelong consequences’

It’s all fun and games until someone breaks a nail — or has an allergic reaction.

A fresh mani could lead to a lifelong issue. Dermatologists say they’re seeing an increase in allergic reactions to acrylic and gel nails, with some doctors seeing the phenomenon “most weeks,” according to a BBC report.

Methacrylate chemicals, key ingredients in acrylic and gel nail manicures, are known to trigger contact allergies, as the British Association of Dermatologists has previously observed an “epidemic” of cases in the UK and Ireland.

The chemicals can cause a severe, itchy rash anywhere on the body, making the source of the reaction difficult to diagnose, BAD noted. In some cases, people report their nails are loose or falling off. In more severe cases, patients suffer breathing difficulties.

The reactions are tied to incidents in which gels and polishes are applied at home or through technicians with insufficient training.

BAD’s Dr. Deirdre Buckley has urged people to cut down on acrylic and gel manicures and instead opt for a good “old-fashioned” polish — also advising them to steer clear of buying DIY kits for their nails.

Gel and acrylic polishes are popular because of their strength and longevity in comparison to regular polish. For a gel manicure, the colored lacquer is cured with an ultra-violet lamp, whereas acrylic faux nails are made from a polymer and monomer paste that is applied to the nail before being painted with polish for color.

“We’re seeing it more and more because more people are buying DIY kits, developing an allergy and then going to a salon, and the allergy gets worse,” Buckley told the BBC, warning it was “a very serious and common problem” these days.

BAD first issued a warning about gel polishes in 2019, warning they were causing an “epidemic” of contact allergies.

A 2018 study estimated that 2.4% of people have an allergy to at least one type of the chemicals used in acrylic- and gel-based manicures.

Dr. David Orton, also a BAD spokesperson, said it’s important that people are aware allergies can develop over time from these popular manicure methods and that they often don’t realize their symptoms are related to their polishes and go undiagnosed.

“It is important that they get a diagnosis so that they can avoid the allergen but also because developing an allergy to these chemicals can have lifelong consequences for dental treatments and surgeries where devices containing these allergens are in common use,” Orton explained.

On Friday, the UK government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards confirmed it was investigating the effects of the chemicals.

“All cosmetics made available in the UK must comply with strict safety laws,” the regulation authority said in a statement. “This includes a list of ingredients to enable consumers with allergies to identify products that may be unsuitable for them.”