Could this be an allergy? - Nail Problems Message Board

bsnyder · 10-24-2006, 10:12 PM

I'm a 47 year old female and I've been wearing artificial nails for over 15 years. Never had a problem of any kind. I was a nail-biter before that, since childhood, and my natural nails are very thin, and brittle, and if they grow out at all, they are warped and crooked (damage to the nail bed from bitting?) I LOVE my artificial nails - the way they look and the way they feel!

About 3 months ago, I developed blisters on my lips and under my eyes. My doctor diagnosed shingles, and I took an anti-viral medication. But, the problem has constantly reoccured and it never did quite fit the description of shingles - it's obvious to me now that it's NOT shingles.

I then suspected that maybe a cosmetic was to blame, and I switched to a hypoallergenic brand of everything. The problem continues to reoccur. I have a .2% hydrocortisone cream that helps some, but the symptoms keep reoccuring.

Now I'm wondering if it's a reaction to a nail chemical? I don't have any symptoms or problems with my hands, or around my nails. Just these areas on my lips, and under my eyes. I didn't connect it to my nails, because there's no symptoms on my nails, or around them. But I'm thinking I see a connection with the timing of getting my nails done and having the problem re-occur. Is it possible that an allergy would only affect the skin on my face and not the initial point of contact?

Has anyone ever heard of this???

Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

Marti · 10-25-2006, 10:44 AM

Allergic reaction only occurs after repeated ad prolonged skin contact. If you were allergic to the nail products, your would experience itchy, burning, red irritated skin and nail beds. So much so that you would want to rip the overlay off.

In saying that, there is also a great possibility that uncured monomer in the dust created from filing a freshly applied set of nails with a nail drill literally gets 'thrown' into your face. Drills spin in a clockwise direction and will throw dust in the face of the technician, but there is also the possibility that it gets thrown in your face as well. The dust from filing with a drill is very fine textured and will hang in your breathing zone up to 50% longer than the dust from hand-filing. (Your breathing zone is a 3' circle around your head.)

If you can time the breakouts to the day of or the day after your nail salon visit, chances are that this is what's happening. The uncured monomer in nail dust can take up to 2 weeks to completely cure, so if it touches your skin during your nail appointment, it could cause allergic reaction.

Wear a dust mask and change it at every appointment. Do not wear makeup to your appointments as the makeup can act as a magnet for the dust and hold it on your skin until you decide to wash your face before bedtime. Wear eye protection as well. You can get a pair of 'goggles' at any home supply store such as Home Depot or Lowes - you don't need an expensive pair.

Also, be sure the technician changes all the table linens before you sit down at the table, and that she wipes the table down with a disinfectant. If she uses files on you that she used on the previous client, ask for fresh files. Be sure she cleans and sanitizes her metal instruments and her drill bits as well. These are all rules of sanitation and disinfection that all 50 states require of theri licensed technicians and salons. Sad to say, most of them don't do this and this is one way that clients are exposed to bacterial and fungal infections and overexposure to nail dust.

For more information, you can visit my website [url]www.hooked-on-nails.com[/url] (link approved by Moderator 1.)