Swollen, itchy, bleeding fingers

[Desert Diva!]

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping someone can help me. I have been a mobile nail tech for about 8 years and have never had a problem. In the past month I have done about 3 sets of nails on myself and each time my fingers start to swell up, itch and then bleed. This starts to happen about 3 days after doing the nails and doesn't stop hurting until about 2 weeks later (by that time I need to do my infills so I'm back to square one). None of my clients suffer from this problem (thank god), it's only me! I have always worn nail enhancements for about 10 years and have never had this problem.

All my product is IBD and it's all brand new. I have always used IBD and this has never happened in the past.

Does anyone know what I could be doing to myself, or do you think it's just down to my own wellbeing/health?

I really don't want to give up wearing nail enhancements because I'm a nail bitter and it's not a good image for a mobile nail tech!

Grateful for any suggestions!

 

[Jolicatellas]

Poor thing! It sounds like over exposure. I've heard a number of techs here saying that this can be caused by years of handling product and coming in contact with product, monomer, acetone...
Have you bean to your doctor and find out if there is anything they can do to ease your discomfort?
Only recently I've began to get a reaction when I get acetone on my skin (when I soak a customers nails off with acetone) my skin starts to peel and becomes thin and sore. I find it helps greatly when I rinse the contacted area straight away with water and follow with a good moisturiser...

Hopefully one of the more expert techs/geeks can offer some really good advice :green:

 

[geeg]

Something like your problem would be my worst nightmare.

Unfortunately, due to the stickiness of gels and the fact that it is almost impossible to work with some of them without getting it on your fingers ... it is the product (along with so called odourless systems) that you
are most likely to become overexposed to. That is what overexposure means .. repeated contact with a chemical in the product you are using which over time (sometimes years) causes you to become very sensitive and allergic to it. Once allergic ALWAYS allergic I'm sorry to tell you, and each time it will get a little worse.

Advice is to change the product you are using on your nails and glove up well when you're working on anyone else. NEVER let any products touch your skin.

There are many posts here on the site about overexposure and how to avoid it. Use the 'search' facility to search for overexposure and you may get some very useful advice from others who have overcome the problem you're having.

 

[Desert Diva!]

Hi Jolicatellas,

Thank you for the quick response. I think you are right by saying I have over exposed myself to the product. I now have to smother my hands in E45 cream and wear rubber gloves when I do a client's nails.

I did go to the doctor and he's given me some dermatitus (sp?) cream which is helping a little bit but I find the E45 is helping more.

How do I stop over exposing myself now, do I have to stop wearing nail enhancements for a while or do you think there is another solution?

It's so annoying because I had a break from being a nail tech for about 2 years due to having a baby and now I need to build up my customer base again so I need to keep my nails in tip-top condition.

Thanks again.

All the best,
Sue

 

[Desert Diva!]

Thanks Geeg, i will do a search. I really didn't want to change my product because I really like IBD and I've just bought a ton of new stuff to play with... If only I could play with it though.. ahahahah!

 

[geeg]

Thanks Geeg, i will do a search. I really didn't want to change my product because I really like IBD and I've just bought a ton of new stuff to play with... If only I could play with it though.. ahahahah!

You have to keep your skin away from the IBD product ... using the gloves will help. Zero contact.

As for wearing nails yourself, You are going to have to try L&P or Wraps. I don't mean you have to throw all your IBD away for your clients but YOU will have to make a change and immediately.

Do the search I suggested .. lots of good info to read.

 

[Jolicatellas]

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/88254-overexposure-please-take-seriously.html

http://www.salongeek.com/nail-geek/86837-allergic-reaction-my-options.html

I found these links had use and informative information.

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

When wearing gloves, make sure they are nitrile gloves. I have found that other gloves do not offer enough protection. In fact I double up on the nitrile and wear two layers. Yes, it is possible.

 

[mely-bely]

It sounds like a product allergy to me - this is exactly what happens to me whenever I use gel without gloves. I am hyper sensitive to all gels - not matter what brand.

I use only l&p on myself now and have no problems