Allergic to gel nails - advice please

[Scarlettjade]

I’ve searched posts, but can’t find much info.

I seem to have developed an allergy to gel nail polish / acrylics. I stopped having acrylic nail extensions and bought the kit to do at home gel nails.

Every time I do gel nails on my hands, my finger tips itch like crazy in the nights. Why is it only at night? My guess is that it’s linked to body temperature?

Has anyone had a similar reaction and then found that it went away/ stopped having the allergy? I hate my nails being bare, I end up using gel on them and having to persevere with the itchy fingers for 3/4 nights, it then stops, but by day 10-14 I’m having to do them again so it feels quite regular that I’m awake in the night with incredibly itchy finger tips.

I’d be grateful if anyone could recommend anything to help stop the itchiness or alternatives to the gel nails, when I’ve trier good quality nail varnish it seems to chip after 3 days.

Thank you for any advice!

Honestly? I'd just learn to live with the bare nails. Sorry - I'm sure that's not what you want to hear!

My friend recently got something called BIAB nails, which are meant to be better for your nails I think. Not sure about the itching though

How are you with ordinary nail polish? Maybe that would work? At least then there is less faff removing them if they start itching.

Don’t persevere- it’s an allergy that has medical implications. A colleague was delayed getting spinal surgery by concern about allergy to the resin.

I have similar issues and am working through them. I tried semi cured stick on nails with partial success the issue is that they work best with a top coat to stop hair trapping around the edge. I’m trying ordinary varnish for that bit, see if it works. Also, my skin still reacts where I scratch myself- so my fingers are fine, but my ears and face are irritated.

My next attempt is going to be wraps. I’m expecting some from Lilyandfox.

I've read about this on a number of websites, there's a fair bit of info out and about on it. The issue is that you're now allergic to the chemical methacrylate and it's incurable. The worry is that this chemical is also used in things such as knee replacements, bone cement, tooth enamels etc which you won't be able to have.

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/gel-nails-news-side-effects-allergies-b2320587.html

The thing that put me off persisting with gel nails was learning that it can trigger a lifelong allergy and that this allergy could rule out certain dental and surgical procedures in the future.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/gel-nails-news-side-effects-allergies-b2320587.html

Happened to me a few times, and then eventually my nails started to come away from the nail bed and looked horrific!

Now I use dip powder stuff instead which is so far much better for me.

Doesn’t the dip stuff give you a reaction? I assumed it had similar chemicals to gel nail polish?

I've got the same allergy due to uncured product getting on my skin, so won't ever be able to have certain dental and medical treatments.

It's quite shocking that there's so little guidance out there.

I do wish the companies that train salon staff provided accurate information about the risk of life long allergies.

Thank you Wood & Weird! I didn’t realise it could cause further issues, that’s concerning!

When I use the gel on my toe nails it doesn’t cause the same itchiness.

You don't like your nails being bare because you're used to the look of them with polish/gel. So they look odd without. Once you get used to them being bare it probably won't bother you anymore.

I used to wear polish all the time, literally all the time, but when I decided to stop I quickly got used to the bare look. I paint them very rarely now and when I do I can't wait to take it off. They look odd to me painted now. I like the look and feel of bare, neat nails now.

And the thing is, I don’t see how you can do it without any of that product getting on your skin.

I’ll be ditching all mine in the hope that it’s a mild reaction I can get over in time.

The objection I have to bare nails is that mine are very weak. I can’t keep them tidy, bare. They split and bend and chip, no matter how short.

You need a good product then. I highly recommend CND Rescue Rxx, amazing stuff, you'll see a difference quite quickly.

I’m very boring and only wear a nude colour on my nails so that they look neat for work, so a transition to bare nails is doable. I’ll have a look for the CND rescue stuff, thank you!

I had an allergic reaction in December - major swelling and itching on all 10 digits - then an infection in the nails themselves and a 'crust' forming under the nail tip. Currently waiting to see a Dermatologist.
GP says they should be back to normal
In 9-12 months!

Crikey @Parentswriting, that looks nasty. Is it getting better?

Sorry OP but my stepmum developed an allergy and years down the line it's not gone away. She can use Shellac though so that might be worth a look.
Alternatively use nail wraps if you have the time to do them yourself?

Unfortunately not any better yet - sore as anything and my fingertips keep splitting open at the slightest touch. I'm an administrator and it even hurts to type because the fingers are so sensitive.

Nail wraps is my advice. They last quite a few days, don't damage the nail.

The same happened to me about 14 months ago. You need to cut the nails as short as possible - they have lifted from the nail bed and what youre seeing under the tips is actually an accumulation of dirt and dead skin!

An allergy as others has posted will be life long and will cause problems with dental treatment and possible surgeries

There are a lot of Hema free gels coming out onto the market , Green Flash is a brand that looks to be promising

I use stick ons a lot more now. The brand I use are reusable and plant based , feel like acrylics strength wise , come in varying shapes and colours and best of all, last me two weeks before growth forces me into removing and reapplying

@Soontobe60
According to the lab that have carried out tests on my nail clippings, it's actually an infection under the nail bed - not dirt and debris.

OP, don't persevere!

Exactly the same happened to me. I ended up losing all my nails, not once but twice as the first time I didn't link it to the nail treatment and did it again. Also terrible swollen blistered sausage fingers and toes, and rashes up my arms and legs.

The home kits don't cure the gels as fully as the salon ones, increasing the chance of uncured product crossing your skin barrier. Unfortunately, once you're sensitised, you have the allergy and need to avoid anything with that class of methacrylate in it.

Even more unfortunately, this includes dental cements and resins - bye bye white crowns or fillings - and bone setting cements so hope I never need a joint replacement... So stop and don't joke your reaction worse!

@Parentswriting i dont think that's an infection, it's skin layers from your nail beds sloughing off in an effort to shed the allergen. I had the same. Obv it can also get infected too.

These kits should be banned - I can't believe it's still happening!

I expected it to, but no not at all! I’ve only been using it for a couple of months but so far, so good!

Ouch that looks sore!

I’ll stay away from the home gel, it’s just not worth it. Thanks for the suggestion of wraps, I hadn’t thought of these.