Manicurists do not cease to amaze their customers with new products. These are new technologies, and more modern and advanced materials. Today we’ll talk about one of these innovations - gel polish, or rather, its effect on a woman’s body. Many ladies find it an excellent solution for the long-term preservation of the attractive appearance of their nails. This is both their brightness and resistance to household chemicals. But is it so safe? Could there be an allergy to gel polish? We will try to give you the answer to the questions in this article.
Why is there an allergy?
Have you ever wondered why the named nail coating lasts so long on the nails? This is due to the fact that this type of manicure involves the use of several means. Pre-nail plates are prepared by removing the top layer with a nail file, degrease and apply the base base. Only after this is the main coating giving them a matte or gloss finish.
Another prerequisite for this type of manicure is the drying of nails under a UV lamp to create a perfectly smooth surface. Drying quickly fixes all layers of this complex coating.
Strong allergens
Undoubtedly, all the tools used have chemical components, so an allergic reaction can be triggered:
- toluene, which is part of the solvents;
- isobornyl methacrylate;
- formaldehyde (derivatives);
- rosin (basis for color coating).
Most of these components are part of all coatings in this group, so an allergy to gel polishes can appear on the products of any company. Even the one that is positioned as hypoallergenic. It does not protect against allergic reactions.
Moreover, in addition to the coating itself, UV radiation can cause unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, if earlier you noticed unusual reactions to it (for example, an allergy to the sun), then allergic rashes are quite possible after using this innovation.
Many dermatologists believe that in certain cases they arise due to the sticky layer that is applied over the coating. With poor-quality manicure, a small amount of this substance gets on the skin and causes irritation.
The reasons for the appearance of the disease should also include storage of the cosmetic product that does not comply with the instructions. Direct sunlight, freezing and other violations of storage conditions lead to a change in the chemical formula of the varnish, so it is difficult to assume the body's reaction to the new composition.
When do the first symptoms appear?
You need to know that an allergy to gel polishes rarely appears after the first use. Usually, the first irritation of a woman is noticed after several months of constant use of this coating. And often, even timely and successful treatment does not always help them to further avoid the occurrence of irritation after applying gel polish.
Types of Allergic Reactions
Since during the manicure carried out according to this technique, not only the nail plate, but also the skin surrounding it is exposed to the chemical components, it is quite natural that an allergy to gel polish develops in this place. Symptoms of the disease can be different, but always pronounced and causing discomfort.
In this case, the allergic reaction is called contact - it never spreads to other parts of the body, but significantly worsens the well-being of a person. This type of pathology appears precisely in clients who are manicured by this technique.
Types of allergic reactions may be different. There are cases when they appear in the masters of the salon in the form of respiratory disorders. They are provoked by the smells of the means used during operation. An allergy to gel varnishes is manifested by nasal congestion, swelling of the eyes, lacrimation, sneezing. Moreover, the more often the master is faced with working with this coating, the faster his health worsens.
Allergy Symptoms
Many readers who have never encountered this insidious disease are interested in what allergies look like after gel polish. You can answer shortly - extremely unsightly, and sometimes even frighteningly.
In fact, to understand that you are developing this disease, it is simple, characteristic and vivid symptoms will not allow you to doubt that irritation is caused by contact with this cosmetic product. Nevertheless, in order not to reflect on what the allergy looks like and whether it is, a visit to a dermatologist is necessary, since in the initial stage, damage to the nail plate can also be caused by a fungal infection. Therefore, the faster you go to the doctor, the sooner health and beauty will return to your hands.
And now, we will introduce you to the main signs of pathology, which should be noted:
- allergic rashes;
- intolerable itching;
- swelling and redness of the periungual roller and fingertips.
Rashes are sometimes small pimples, but more often these are bubbles filled with fluid. Severe itching leads to their combing, the skin breaks, and weeping erosion forms under it. At this stage, the risk of secondary infection increases significantly, which complicates the course of the disease.
During treatment, small cracks appear on the fingertips, which heal for a long time. In especially severe cases, detachment of the nail develops. Such changes are provoked by the fact that when applying gel polish, the upper layer of the nail plate is removed, and chemicals easily penetrate into its deeper layers.
Psycho-emotional stress, weakening of the immune system, sometimes provoke not only damage to the fingers, but also an allergic reaction on the wrists and palms. In this case, blisters appear that resemble hives. After healing, they may leave dark spots.
Diagnosis
The listed symptoms are also characteristic of fungal infections, and therefore we recommend that you undergo laboratory diagnosis. The thing is that nail fungus and allergies require the use of different groups of drugs. Methacrylate, which is part of almost all gel polishes, can cause both Quincke's edema and choking.
Gel polish allergy: what to do?
The appearance of the first symptoms of irritation on the hands is a good reason to visit a dermatologist. If the disease affects only the skin, you should contact the salon to remove the coating from the nails in order to exclude contact with the allergen. Symptoms of Quincke edema require urgent medical attention. It is expressed in intravenous or intramuscular administration of anti-shock and antihistamines. Such drugs stop the release of histamine and will not allow allergies to develop.
After removing the gel polish from the nails, you need to contact a specialist to find out the cause of the changes. Based on the analysis, the dermatologist will select the necessary treatment. If it is confirmed that itching, irritation, rash is an allergy to gel polish, only a doctor will decide how to treat this disease.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines can be prescribed as ointments or tablets. If you are confident in your diagnosis, then you can take Tavegil, Diazolin or Suprastin before visiting a doctor. They quickly stop skin symptoms faster than others. However, for a long time they are not used due to the presence of side effects.
It is better to use drugs containing corticosteroids. They will quickly remove the symptoms of allergies. These include ointments - “Hydrocortisone”, “Advantan”, “Afloderm”. If an allergy to gel polish does not manifest itself very strongly, then you can use Fenistil-gel, but if a secondary infection joins the disease, then you will need funds - Levosin or Levomikol.
Ointment "Gyoksizon" in its composition has an antibiotic and glucocorticosteroid. And during skin healing, ointments with regenerating properties should be used - Radevit, Panthenol, Solcoseryl.
Enterosorbents
A group of drugs is also included in the complex treatment of allergies, to help the body remove the accumulated toxins from the intestines and internal organs. But they not only rid of toxins, but also improve the intestinal microflora, increase immunity. This is important in the treatment of allergic reactions. Such drugs include: "Lacto-Filtrum", "Enteros-gel", "Polysorb".
Vitamins
For a complete restoration of the skin and nail plates, vitamins are needed, which your doctor will prescribe. Their choice depends on the type of rash on the skin, the presence of chronic diseases in the patient from the time of the course of the disease. All these subtleties can be taken into account only by an experienced and qualified specialist.
ethnoscience
Many believe that alternative methods of treatment can defeat this ailment. But we believe that they can only be part of complex therapy. This may be a decoction of motherwort or valerian roots at night.
Facilitate the torment of the bath and lotions for hands using a decoction of calendula, oak bark, chamomile. These plants are famous for their anti-inflammatory properties, they soothe, help the skin recover faster.
In the treatment of allergies, a string of broth, eggshell and mummy have proven themselves well. Such remedies should be remembered for girls who have an allergy periodically.
Precautionary measures
When the disease has entered the acute phase, it is necessary to limit contact with water. After applying ointments, when doing any homework, hands should be protected with rubber gloves. In addition, during treatment it is necessary to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet. Alcohol, citrus fruits, chocolate are completely excluded from the diet. This has a beneficial effect on skin repair.
How to avoid allergies?
The described reactions to persistent coating often appear even in women who have never before experienced other manifestations of allergies. It only says that no one is safe from this type of irritation. However, you can reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Beauticians advise
In order for the next trip to the beauty salon to not have sad consequences, we recommend that you listen to the opinion of experts.
- Use only quality compounds. Varnishes made in China are cheaper, but it is these products that have the most complaints from customers.
- Carefully choose a salon and craftsmen. A significant role in the development of allergies is played by the technique of performing manicure. It is very important that the adjacent skin is not injured during the treatment of the nail. A professional craftsman will try to prevent any of the tools used from falling onto the periungual roller or fingers.
- The choice of a protective coating that is applied to the skin before the procedure minimizes the development of allergies. With the right choice, allergies to gel polishes and ultraviolet light are less common.
- Women with dry skin of their hands need to prepare them before the procedure. To do this, for several days, various emollient creams are applied to the hands.
- It is necessary for several weeks to give the nails a rest by replacing the gel polish with a regular coating. Such a simple technique will help to remove chemical elements from the cells of the nails, skin and the body as a whole.
It is not recommended to use this coating for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Alternatives
Many people note, and we already talked about this, that even after successful treatment with the subsequent use of gel polish, allergy again makes itself felt. And sometimes a second reaction manifests itself even more.
To prevent this, you will either have to completely abandon such a manicure, or use high-quality, expensive products with the lowest content of toxic components. For example, Cind Vinyiux. This is a regular coating, but it lasts on the nails for about seven days.
Cnd Shellac is a non-allergenic gel polish. Acquire such a varnish (to avoid fakes), it is better from an authorized dealer. Another gel polish is Red Carpet. It is easy to apply. An allergy to this coating is extremely rare. Therefore, we recommend that you use it.