My nail polish allergy and ways to work around this

[Jenny Jo]

Like everyone here I adore nail colour, and have been painting mine since I was 7!

In recent years I've slowly developed an allergy where my nose runs profusely. By coat #3 its dripping into my mouth!! Yuk!
It happens with all different brands and must be the solvents.

Since studying beauty I'm considering which areas to specialise in, but hesitant to do nails in case I make it worse.

I did go to the doctors about my hayfever /pollution fever where I was fobbed off with some steroid spray. Not keen to take more chemicals -would rather avoid/ reduce cause.

So my main question is - are there any other Nail Technicians here who suffer from this? If so - how do you work around it? Is there anything that prevents or lessens it?

I had idea to place a spray tan extractor on my desk, but imagine this would be noisy!

Face masks help, but not that effective against the fumes.

It won't stop me painting my own nails (in well ventilated areas), but not sure whether its a good idea to work full time & invest in these products I'm allergic to.

Thanks

 

[Harmony14]

Hi have you tried gel polish as that would be a way to give clients a color selection without messing with your allergies.

 

[jigily]

Definitely try gel polish but not Cnd Shellac as that's a hybrid and also contains solvent.

 

[AcidPerm]

I wouldn't risk training as a nail tech in your position. Find another career.

Definitely DO NOT invest in a gel polish range until you are certain you are unaffected by it. Gel polishes (inc. Shellac) contain much stronger toxic chemicals which are likely to cause irritation to someone who is already allergic to ordinary polish. If you want to try it, just have it applied to a few fingers and wait 48 hours. Also, be wary with the removal as it involves wrapping your finger tips in solvent for at least ten minutes.

As you're in the UK, you could ask your GP for a referral to a consultant dermatologist (or go private) and ascertain exactly which chemicals are causing you problems. Then you'll know what to check for in the ingredients list.

Allergies generally worsen rather than improve so it's not a good idea to risk continued exposure to something that is a known irritant for you. It might only be a runny nose now but you don't want it to escalate to breathing difficulties.

 

[Jenny Jo]

Thanks for your replies, I really want to do gels but need to do more research, and try and eliminate which ingredient it is. This reaction is from regular high st polish which I'd assume to be safe - children can buy it.

Never had gel manicure, only pedicure so can't tell from that if it would irritate.

As the therapist your face is close to the vapours when painting, is there any techniques or shields to use against the vapour?

Once the paint has dried my nose is fine, an the skin never is affected and acetone doesn't bother me.

The detergent aisle in the supermarket makes my nose feel blocked and nauseous, I tend to use non bio washing tabs which are fine.

Even if my hands fell off I'd still paint my prosthetics! Guess I couldn't do nails full time, or maybe there is a range that is okay for me out there somewhere...

 

[Beansy]

Thanks for your replies, I really want to do gels but need to do more research, and try and eliminate which ingredient it is. This reaction is from regular high st polish which I'd assume to be safe - children can buy it....

Just because you've had a reaction to something, it doesn't mean it's 'unsafe'. Children can buy nuts!

You can become allergic to something at any time even if you have previously used/eaten or been in contact with something for many years. Hence why manufacturers advise patch testing.

As AcidPerm says, symptoms are likely to get worse, not better. Once you've developed an allergy you're also more susceptible to developing other allergies.

 

[Aydie]

[Have E="Jenny Jo, post: 2400310, member: 99934"]Thanks for your replies, I really want to do gels but need to do more research, and try and eliminate which ingredient it is. This reaction is from regular high st polish which I'd assume to be safe - children can buy it.

Never had gel manicure, only pedicure so can't tell from that if it would irritate.

As the therapist your face is close to the vapours when painting, is there any techniques or shields to use against the vapour?

Once the paint has dried my nose is fine, an the skin never is affected and acetone doesn't bother me.

The detergent aisle in the supermarket makes my nose feel blocked and nauseous, I tend to use non bio washing tabs which are fine.

Even if my hands fell off I'd still paint my prosthetics! Guess I couldn't do nails full time, or maybe there is a range that is okay for me out there somewhere...[/QUOTE]

Have a look at the Nails Inc "pure" range, I think that's 6 free.


Definitely worth going back to your gp and getting tests done.

 

[user 100382]

+1 to what others have been saying. You don't want to make yourself really ill by working with something that doesn't agree with you - this allergy may be mild but it could develop into something really serious with constant exposure - you just don't know!

Before you give up though, I'd say try a few brands. I'm currently setting myself up as more natural / organic type therapist and i've been researching a lot into nail varnishes that are free from the more 'harmful' chemicals. Brands like ORLY are free from the top 3 nasties and Zoya is free from the top 5 (things like Toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and formaldehyde resin) while still remaining professional standard and with a good range of colours. Zoya has got some seriously good reviews and my mini's I brought as testers have been fab!

Maybe one of these brands is free from whatever it is that sets you off!

 

[Jenny Jo]

Thanks I understand its something that could get worse so need to be careful.

Does anyone else get this problem with their nose when painting nails? As it came on slowly I've got used to it. Me doing my own nails once or twice a week isn't the same as performing full time.

Will def check out Zoya but have read reviews of gloppy formulas.

Orly have some lovely shades and big 18ml bottles . will check those out too.

Maybe there is a way of customising a vapour shield that's see through over the clients hand

 

[user 100382]

There are a few brands out there that do 'toxin-free' polishes, I guess its about narrowing down what sets you off and then trying out different brands until you find one that works for you!

 

[izzidoll]

I wouldn't risk training as a nail tech in your position. Find another career.

Definitely DO NOT invest in a gel polish range until you are certain you are unaffected by it. Gel polishes (inc. Shellac) contain much stronger toxic chemicals which are likely to cause irritation to someone who is already allergic to ordinary polish. If you want to try it, just have it applied to a few fingers and wait 48 hours. Also, be wary with the removal as it involves wrapping your finger tips in solvent for at least ten minutes.

As you're in the UK, you could ask your GP for a referral to a consultant dermatologist (or go private) and ascertain exactly which chemicals are causing you problems. Then you'll know what to check for in the ingredients list.

Allergies generally worsen rather than improve so it's not a good idea to risk continued exposure to something that is a known irritant for you. It might only be a runny nose now but you don't want it to escalate to breathing difficulties.

I agree with AcidPerm, and I don't see that buying any 3 free, 6 free, toxin free polishes would be a good idea. You have an allergy, you need to go to a doctor to get proper diagnosis and referral to a dermatologist.
Once you have an allergy, every time you come into contact with the allergen it will get worse. This could be potentially dangerous if it is affecting your nasal passages, and as much as I love colour on my nails it is not worth compromising my health.

I really don't think we should recommend anything to you other than going to your doctor. I wish you the best of luck and good health.

 

[Jenny Jo]

Definitely try gel polish but not Cnd Shellac as that's a hybrid and also contains solvent.

Do you know if Brisa and b light contain solvent also? Would be nice to offer

I agree with AcidPerm, and I don't see that buying any 3 free, 6 free, toxin free polishes would be a good idea. You have an allergy, you need to go to a doctor to get proper diagnosis and referral to a dermatologist.
Once you have an allergy, every time you come into contact with the allergen it will get worse. This could be potentially dangerous if it is affecting your nasal passages, and as much as I love colour on my nails it is not worth compromising my health.

I really don't think we should recommend anything to you other than going to your doctor. I wish you the best of luck and good health.

Hi true over time it could worsen. OLast things affect me like cleaning products and traffic fumes, but I have to work around them and its impossible to remove all instances.

Last time I went to the doctor I felt like they didn't take seriously and after a quick check with a torch up my nose I was ushered out with a prescription of hayfever steroid nasal spray. I don't have hay fever, more pollution fever. Grass and trees don't affect me at all. It felt as if the doctor was thinking why are you even here, its nothing!

Any tips for getting a gp referral? Would it be to dermatologist, or ear nose and throat specialist?

The nose running is only from vapours rather than dried polish, I can touch dry polish and smell it with no adverse skin reaction.

Minx could be an option, after I've identified exactly what is causing this allergy.

Thanks again for replies