Hi guys.. I think a couple of you already know about my allergy... BUT.. I am posting this thread in a last desperate attempt to be able to do artificial nails...

You see.. I have an 'acrylic tip and overlay' diploma, and can produce great gel nails also ( in my opinion, seen as I don't have years of experience like so many of you have unfortuntely)
BUT, I have a severe allergy to artificial nail products..

I trained with 'Dream' acrylic products, but also used numerous other makes of acrylic, and gel forms including star nails, millenium, sina, salon system and acrygel, all of which have the same effects on me that lasts for days- (totally blocked sinuses, extreme coughing, wheezing, difficuty breathing properly, loss of smell & taste etc..

I obviously took the advice of friends and family which was to give up artificial nails, as my health is obviously more important.. But it's just so unfair as I had big plans, I REALLY REALLY enjoy doing them and wanted to enter the competitions etc but my health suffers too much..

Anyway, I was speaking to someone about all of this and she mentioned to me that I may actually be able to still do artificial nails.... In the form of fibreglass. I really got my hopes up, and arranged to try it out by practising with the nail technician at my place of work.. I was loving trying it all out and thought that because there was simply resin and activator, not the gel or liquid&powder,that I would be fine...

Later that evening and for days after, I suffered the same as always!!
I used millenium activator and can't remember the make of the resin..
BUT I didn't expect to have such symptoms with this system as well!!!!

So so gutted.... Is there just no way for me???? I know that there are 'less harsh' chemicals in some brands, but after trying so many methods, I just can't see that I'll be ok with any... ?????

Thanks so much for reading! Sarah xxxxxxxx

Is it the vapours that cause you problems or the dust?

Maybe try a brush on activator with the resin instead of a spray one.

Have you tried taking piriton before doing nails?

I suffer with a horrendous runny nose if I dont use my fan when filing gel. It's like a tap literally.

Try an extractor fan, NSI do one that removes some of the odour, called a Fuminator. Very good bit of kit. Also, not a pretty sight but what about masks?

OMG Just realised your in Staffs, so am I. If you want to come along and try my brush on resin and fuminator let me know.

Rachel xx

What form of extraction are you using?
Have you tried wearing a mask?

Hi Sarah,

I understand how you feel hun, I've suffered from severe dermititis/excema since last october and it's doing me in!!

I would just like to point out what I have highlighted in your post.....if you are using a mixture of different products ie: Millennium for one part of the job and another company for another part , such as mixing monomers & powders (I know you are talking about fierglass here tho) which is a big no no, could that have a chemical reaction which causes these symptoms due to excessive fumes??
Alternatively, the other geeks are most probably more closer the the point with your salon extraction/fumes problem.

Hi,

The first thing I think you need to do is go and see your doctor about this! You need to have some tests done to find out what it is exactly that is giving you such an adverse reaction?

All systems (l&p, gel and fiberglass) come from the same family "acrylic", so if you have been over exposed to one, they could all have an effect on you, no matter if you have good ventilation, wearing a mask, following hygiene or not!

A trip to the doctors will clear up all your confussion and fustration once you have had some tests and know what is causing you these problems.

HTHs

Yes I agree with you, just remembered this thread...it's talking about allergies, you can get the skin prick tests done by your GP or hospital and they will let you know any allergies you have. My friend who is a nail tech had them done on her back.
hth
Client allergic to perfume

Ok Sarahmarie, here is my tuppence worth, but I really hope this helps. I have been in your boots, read the book, worn the t-shirt and watched the DVD , I promise you!

About a year into my nail career, I developed a sensitivity to the gel/l&P products I was using. The skin on my fingers and around my nails would go red and itchy and then blister and burn. If I touched my face I would get the same reaction as well as on the underside of my forearms from leaning on my work station. Not a pretty sight and very painful . I was gutted as I, like you, had fallen in love with nails.

I went to the GP who told me to give up my career as a nail tech . I started wearing non latex gloves over cotton gloves but found that the product went straight through the latex and cotton. The more I was exposed to the products, the worse my sensitivity became. Some very helpful geeks suggested I wear Nitrile gloves instead. A geek called Karren also faced a similar problem, but she found Nitrile solved this too.

I had to abandon the product range I was using. I still use their polishes, glitters, stripers etc... but can't touch their gels or l&p. I see you are an l&P girl, and I found my worst reaction was with l&P. I reacted so badly that the L&P melted on my nails .

Don't give up yet! It might be necessary to change systems altogether. I have converted to Calgel but I believe Brisa is also quite hypoallergenic. I can't get gel on my skin so can't wear enhancements myself, but as long as I double glove with nitrile (yes it is possible) I am absolutely fine and am enjoying doing nails again. I hope this helps xx

I started out using Star nails products and find the cheaper ones on the market have the same effect on me. I get blocked nose, restrictive feeling in my throat, start to cough and i end up with an awful headache. I had this the moment i opened the bottle of monomer.

I was told i would have to give up, but i found by switching to another different product, i don't have any problems at all. All systems are virtually the same, but have minor differences within them, which must make a difference or i would've had to give up nails before now. I have been doing nails for over three yeras now using EZ Flow products and they don't effect me at all.

Try and find some techs near to you who have different products and see if you can try them. Or see if you can get some sample kits to try. This way, you won't have to waste money trying things that you can't use. Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for your responses guys! I really appreciate it..
Yes, I took piriton before starting the nails, and for the time I was affected afterwards too. I wore gloves, barrier cream and masks.. (I wore masks with filters, on top of other masks!) so I looked rediculous too!

I understand the importance of using the same brand for all products when successfuly doing a set of nails, so this was always done, apart from I cant actually remember whether the resin was millenium also, like the activator was when I tried fibreglass out..

I am going to call the doctors monday to arrange for allergy tests to be done ( my doc's have this silly new system in place where you can't book an appointment in advance, you have to call first thing in the morning on the day you want to go now!!!)

This will give me a definate answer as to what causes it all (hopefully).
A lot of people seem SURE that it has got to be the resin, as glue is used with all systems... Although, I can't see me trying out sculpting, being exposed to the acrylic products, but no glue, and being fine, I just know that it has got to be te acrylic products also... I'm sorry if I'm not making sense here!!

Anyway... STILL gutted about it all!!!!!

xxx

Oh god i know the feeling im sat here as my fave all sweld up,blocked nose,swelling eyes,headache.I did a freinds nails at home yesterday then at college last night so youv got about 10 in a small room,one small window open all filing and buffing OMG i knew it. Iv had a few problems as im on tablets every day for my skin but soon as i do something like this i get the itching,swelling feeling.I had to use a blue inhaler last night 1 st time in my life as i was weezing that much and it helped loads.Im wanting to buy a dust/fume extractor machine so has any gees got any good advice on this please as i dont want to give this up doing nails, as iv got nothing else i can really do due to my health reasons.Im going to post a thread about the machine in a bit.Its awfill sarah so i know the feeling,let me know how you get on PM in you want for a chat n good luck xx

If you are allergic.....then its not the end of the world or your career. Turn it into a positive for youself.....be a kick ass manicurist/pedicurist. Not every women wears enhancements. You still have the natural nail market, learn everything you can about the natural nail.....it's amazing what you can do with natural nails if you invest in a little time and money to blow your clients away.
David

You say you have worn gloves, but have you tried Nitrile? Believe me, there is a huge difference between just any gloves and Nitrile. At first I couldn't believe how different Nitrile gloves could be. Sam did an article on them on this site (I'll see if I can find the link) and you can buy them anywhere like pharmacies, St. Johns Ambulance, Hyperion etc......

I double glove to be safe. Another thing is, do you have an extraction system on you nail table?

Here is a link to a thread where Sam explains a bit about Nitrile gloves. xx

Nitrile Gloves vs Other Types Of Gloves!

Chicky I just seen this!! You've had some good advice already, lets just hope the doctor can shed some light on it!! Your nail art is fab so i'm sure you could concentrate on the natural nail market xx