An Israeli study found an ingredient in gel polish that causes a severe allergy

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women suffering from the damage caused by applying nail polish. In the investigation we carried out at Mako Health just a few months ago, we revealed the extent of the phenomenon, which in severe cases can also lead to the deformation of the nails and severe infections. Some of those damages occur following the development of an allergy to a substance called acrylates found in this type of nail polish.The basic allergy test is based on detecting only one acrylate, so about 15% of people who are sensitive to the substance are not always diagnosed. A new study conducted at the Rambam Hospital sought to improve the diagnostic mechanism and found what additional tests might increase the diagnosis rate for sensitivity to acrylates.

 

The main researcher, Dr. Yoel Descalo, a doctor in the dermatology department at Rambam, explains that an allergy to acrylic manifests itself in an itchy rash and skin peeling, including deep and painful cracks and even infections. “The allergy usually appears in the area of ​​the hands, although acrylic material is a volatile substance, so it may also appear in the area of ​​the eyes.” He points out that the increase in incidence is felt especially in recent years, where three times more cases of sensitivity to acrylics, as a source of allergic dermatitis, are diagnosed, compared to the beginning of the previous decade.

 

According to him, the obstacle in diagnosis is due to the fact that, in general, our hands come into contact with various materials during the day. “Some people suffer from a rash on their hands, but it is related to cosmetic products, perfume or other substances they were exposed to at home or at work. Moreover, an allergy to acrylic may develop over time and not necessarily immediately after exposure.”

In the comprehensive study, recently published in the medical journal Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 3,828 patients were examined, between the years 2013-2022. Almost 4% of them (153) were diagnosed as allergic to acrylates, the largest number recorded to date in Israel. The findings show that expanding the tests to examine two additional chemical substances helped increase the rate of diagnosed cases from 85% to 98%.

 

 

 

Besides the importance of expanding the tests for an accurate diagnosis, the study found that patients over the age of 40, or those who suffer from a tendency to allergic diseases such as asthma, may miss the diagnosis of the allergy through the basic test with a higher probability, so from the beginning, the doctor says that it is better to refer them for a more extended test .

Lack of supervision and use of problematic substances

“Contact dermatitis develops over time,” clarifies the doctor. “The allergy does not appear immediately upon first exposure, and it can often appear after a year, and sometimes even after many years.” The manicurist. “Any exposure of the material to the skin increases the chance of developing such an allergy, so the precision of the manicurist applying the material without touching the skin is important.” Yes, he refers to the quality of the materials, and the fact that, unfortunately, there is no strict enough supervision in Israel in which the manicurists themselves are also supervised.” As mentioned, in Israel there is no legislation that requires gel polish practitioners to hold a professional certificate. Although there are kashruts that receive Recognition from the Ministry of Labor, but as we published in an investigation a few months ago, alongside these trainings, there are dozens of unknown online and digital courses that claim to teach women everything they need to become “nailists”, nail technicians.

According to Dr. Descalo, the treatment of this type of allergy does not only consist of avoiding, absolutely, I must say, applying gel nail polish. “Acrylates are common substances in the field of orthopedics as well as in dentistry, so even in these fields the doctors should be informed and avoid using them.”

Dr. Descalo points out that the findings have even greater significance in Israel, where the prevalence of allergy to acrylic is particularly high. By the way, contrary to what some manicurists may think, the doctor clarifies that gloves do not solve the problem. “The molecule of the substance is too small and it also penetrates the glove, so those who are allergic to the substance and are engaged in the profession, will have to consider changing jobs. Amazingly, I have come across women who chose to continue anyway, despite the great suffering involved.