Hi trinity I hope you don't mind me asking your opinion. After months of serious reactions I've recently had a patch test which confirms I am now allergic to acrylates. For the last few months I had been wearing gloves which barely helped the symptoms (and the dermatologist confirmed that no gloves will stop all of the chemicals coming into contact with the skin) and I have now been told I should stay well away from nail products. My problem is I'm self employed and have built up a massive client base and career. I'm not ready to give it all up so easily but my concern is I was never once told while training how dangerous these chemicals can be and the exposure risks. Do you think I should contact the college regarding this in the hope it stops future nail techs developing the same problem. Should this be a priority in training? I feel so let down that I was never made aware about this and that my health and career is now in jeopardy.. or should I just let it be and blame my lack of common sense for not knowing the risks or doing my own research? Thank you in advance for your help
First of all, to say that you are allergic to acrylates is too broad. Didn't your dermatologist give you a report with the specific names of the chemical ingredients you are allergic too? That is the usual procedure. However, there seems to be an attitude in the UK that others have told me, that some GP's and dermatologists view nail product allergies as self inflicted (they have a point) and don't help as much as they could.
There are many different acrylates used in nail products. Allergies are cause by over exposure to specific ingredients. However, it is also true the sometimes the human immune system that produces the allergic reaction, can be fooled. So while you may test positive to one ingredient, another ingredient that "loos the same" can also produce a reaction.
When you have a list of ingredients that cause a reaction, then you can look for nail products that don't contain these. Now it is VERY IMPORTANT to understand that once you develop an allergy, that it will become EASIER to develop new allergies. This means it is very important to take this warning to change behaviour and stop skin contact and inhalation. Allergies only occur because of repeated skin contact or inhalation - there are no bad chemicals - but all chemicals have to be treated with respect and used as advised. Overexposure to water means people can drown!
This advice is available on all MSDS/SDS sheets. Most nail products contain an irritation symbol - the same symbol found on over cleaners, and other house cleaning products where it is normal to use rubber gloves.
To avoid allergies, it is important:
1. to wear nitrile gloves, minimum 8mil thick
2. use the UV lamp recommended for your gels - under cured gel dust is a MAJOR cause of allergies
3. invest in a professional air filter system that has a carbon filter that is minimum 1kg. *
*Yes, these cost around 1000, but what price a career and health?
There is a Facebook group for NT who have allergies.
xx
