A beautiful manicure for a long time is the dream of most women. Nowadays, many options for such manicure have appeared. This can be extended nails, shellac coating, gel strengthening with subsequent design, etc. But even a manicure done for a long time requires no less care and attention than a natural nail. In most cases, many people assume that if there is gel on the nails, additional care is no longer necessary. Sometimes this happens, but most often the fingers require attention.
Why do my fingers itch and blisters appear after a manicure?
A common cause of itching and blisters after a manicure is an allergic reaction to the polish. In addition, redness and swelling of the skin, a rash on the face, itching and swelling of the eyes appear. Most often, this condition occurs in women prone to allergic reactions, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. If you have a history of hypersensitivity to detergent components or other household chemicals, then there is a high probability of an allergy to gel polish.
The cause of the condition may be a fungal infection of the nail plate. This is possible when using unsterile or poorly processed instruments. With this manicure, fungi and germs are transferred from one client to another. The difficulty in identifying the cause of the disease lies in the gradual onset of symptoms. With a fungal infection, itching does not appear immediately, but after some time, which complicates the diagnosis of the disease.
An allergic reaction can also occur to manicure aids and to the light of a drying lamp.
Other causes of shellac allergies in girls, and who is at risk
So, it becomes clear that an allergy appears to shellac only upon contact with the skin. This durable and popular material causes itching, redness and cracking on the hands of girls with sensitive skin.
As it turns out, pregnant women are also at risk. The constant entry of harmful substances into the body can affect the condition of the expectant mother or fetus. In this case, the toxic substance can harm the baby, so it is better for a woman to limit or even refuse to cover her nails with shellac.
Can there be hypersensitivity to gel polish?
When applying long-term coating, there is a high probability of allergic reactions. This is due to the synthetic composition of the products, which include aggressive chemical components. Hypersensitivity may occur due to:
- Low-quality gel polish, especially made in China (Bluesky is considered the most allergenic).
- Coating removers. The situation is aggravated if long-term fixation of the product on the nail plate is required, especially in the absence of air access.
- Gel that removes cuticles. There is a high probability of product getting on the skin, which causes irritation and allergies.
- Lamp for drying gel polish. Women who are hypersensitive to ultraviolet radiation are primarily affected.
There is a high probability of an allergic reaction due to hormonal imbalances in the body, during lactation and pregnancy. Sensitive skin is also more prone to breakouts and itching. Regular interaction with chemical components that cause irritation of the skin leads to hypersensitivity of the body.
An allergy to gel polish occurs when using:
- Poor quality or counterfeit products.
- Expired products.
- In case of violation of recommended storage conditions, which leads to adverse consequences.
An allergic reaction to manicure products creates a lot of inconvenience and requires immediate treatment. In severe cases, such a complication can cause serious harm to health.
Main advantages
The main advantages of coating nails with gel polish:
- Quite a long-lasting effect - nails remain in excellent condition for 3 weeks.
- Strengthening effect - the gel creates a coating that protects the nail plate from mechanical damage.
- Gel polish dries very quickly.
Important! Allergies and irritation can be caused not only by the gel polish itself, but also by the means for removing it, as well as the fumes that emit from it.
How do the symptoms appear?
An allergy to gel polish can manifest itself with local and general symptoms. The first type includes:
- Severe itching of fingers and palms.
- Swelling around the nails.
- Rashes and swelling.
- Delamination of the nail plate.
- Cracks in the nails and fingers.
- Peeling of the skin between the fingers and around the nail.
- Blisters filled with clear liquid.
If one or more of these symptoms are detected after going to a nail salon, we can conclude that there is hypersensitivity to gel polish.
In case of severe intoxication, a systemic reaction to the body develops, which requires immediate treatment. Symptoms such as:
- Swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose and eyes.
- Severe runny nose, sneezing.
- Dry hacking cough accompanied by shortness of breath.
- Lack of air leading to suffocation.
- Itching of facial skin.
In case of severe intoxication, prompt assistance is necessary, since the condition is likely to worsen, leading to anaphylactic shock.
Short story
As the name suggests, the composition of gel polish includes a gel, which helps to grow nails, and a coloring component - varnish.
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Everyone knows that “the new is the well forgotten old,” and this case is no exception. Even 20 years ago, the NSI and OPI organizations decided to add a coloring pigment to the nail extension liquid. But since the build-up was a huge success at that time, the development of the new technology had to be postponed until better times.
And in 2010, when the excitement around nail extensions died down a little, the Creative Nail Design organization, also known as CND, released its first creation - gel polish under the famous brand “Shellac”, which soon became extremely popular.
You also need to be able to distinguish between shellac and gel polish, since these are completely different products.
What is the treatment and is it possible to get rid of it?
If local or systemic manifestations of allergies are detected, you should immediately consult a dermatologist or allergist. The specialist will evaluate the clinical picture and prescribe appropriate treatment, taking into account possible contraindications.
It is impossible to cure an allergy to gel polish without taking systemic antihistamines. The fastest effect is provided by Suprastin, which can be injected in particularly severe cases. The drug causes drowsiness, so in case of minor manifestations of allergies, it is advisable to replace it with more modern means. These include Erius, Cetrin, Dezal and Zyrtec.
What to do if the skin on your fingers cracks?
If the skin on the fingers is damaged, additional use of local products is necessary. They speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of additional infection of exposed areas. Depending on the severity of the lesion, the following is prescribed:
- Antiseptic agents used to wash cracks before applying cream. It is optimal to use Miramistin for this purpose, since it also has antifungal and antibacterial effects.
- Drugs that improve tissue regeneration (Panthenol, Bepanten).
- Products that improve the nutrition of skin cells and ensure rapid healing (Solcoseryl, Actovegin).
- Hormonal ointments (Akriderm, Fluorocort).
- Vitamin-based preparations (Radevit).
If the cause of cracked skin is a fungal infection, then antifungal therapy becomes necessary. It may include drugs of local (Clotrimazole) or systemic action (Pimafucin).
Rash on face
If rashes occur on the skin of the face and neck, systemic therapy with antihistamines must be prescribed. You can alleviate the condition and improve your appearance if you additionally apply:
- Hormonal creams (Elocom, Triderm). Such products can be applied in pure form locally to the affected area or mixed in equal proportions with hypoallergenic baby cream.
- Non-hormonal ointments that soothe the skin (La-Cri, Lipobase).
- Cosmetics designed for sensitive skin (La Roche Posay).
- Decoctions of medicinal plants (chamomile, sage) are used as cool lotions.
During treatment, you should adhere to a diet, drink plenty of fluids, and include sorbents in the treatment. This is necessary to quickly remove the allergen from the body and cleanse the surface of the skin. In case of severe itching, it is recommended to supplement treatment with sedatives (Valerian, Motherwort).
What are the best medications to use?
Doctors usually prescribe anti-allergy drugs such as Suprastin and Tavegil. Of the ointments, Advantan and Afloderm help the most. If the allergy is not severe, use Fenistil-gel or Levomikol. Once you have managed to get rid of your allergies, you will need products aimed at tissue regeneration. Solcoseryl and Panthenol will help you with this.
It would not be amiss to use enterosorbents, which can remove accumulated toxins from the body. In addition to getting rid of allergies, they will help boost your immunity. A good option would be “Polysorb” and “Lacto-filtrum”.
As an addition to general treatment, various vitamin complexes and sedatives can be used. They will help get rid of scabies, improve your mood and make subsequent treatment much more enjoyable.
When choosing medications, the attending physician relies on the nature of skin rashes and other possible allergic reactions. It is necessary to take into account all these nuances when selecting treatment, and therefore it is important that you do not self-diagnose, but visit a specialist doctor.
How to avoid?
An allergic reaction to gel polish is easier to prevent than to treat unwanted consequences. If you are hypersensitive to chemicals or predisposed to allergies, it is better to avoid the procedure altogether. You can reduce adverse effects if you get a manicure in a trusted salon with high-quality products. An experienced master accurately applies the products to the nail plate, avoiding getting the varnish on exposed skin. In this case, the risk of hypersensitivity is less than when applying gel polish yourself.
Which gel polishes do not cause hyper-reaction?
To avoid allergies, you must use high-quality manicure products. The optimal solution would be to use varnishes ordered on the manufacturer’s official website or in a specialized salon. In this case, the risk of encountering a low-quality product or a Chinese counterfeit is reduced. Don't get carried away with cheap manicure products, since the price is usually directly proportional to the quality.
If you are prone to allergies, you should use proven gel polishes, for example:
- Shellac. The product does not contain formaldehyde or toluene derivatives, so the risk of unwanted effects is minimized. It is optimal to use all manicure products from this manufacturer.
- Amy. Hypoallergenic varnish that does not contain harmful components.
- Gel Color. Nail gel created using special technology. It has a unique composition, remaining on the nails for two weeks.
To prevent an allergic reaction, it is necessary to use high-quality base and top varnish coating. Careful cleaning of instruments is required.
What to replace it with?
If hypersensitivity to gel polish occurs, you should try replacing the product with a better product. You may need to change your usual salon and specialist to a higher-class specialist. If such measures do not help, then it is recommended to abandon gel polish and replace it with:
- Acrylic coating. The product dries quickly in the open air, without requiring the use of a lamp. The disadvantage is a specific smell that can cause negative consequences.
- Vinylux. Varnish used for ultraviolet allergies. It dries quickly, but lasts only about a week on the nails.
- Traditional varnishes. Regular nail polishes with increased durability can completely replace long-term manicures. Modern products can remain on nails for up to 10 days, and the variety of colors and shades will not leave anyone indifferent.
- Stickers. Special applications for nails that are easily glued and removed. Large selection of pictures and colors for every taste.
- Medicinal products. The pharmacy assortment includes varnishes that have beneficial properties. They strengthen the nail plate, add shine and dullness, and nourish with cosmetic oils. Belvedere and Smart Enamel products have proven themselves.
You can prevent an undesirable reaction if you avoid visiting the salon during the acute period of the disease, when immunity decreases. In addition, pre-moisturizing and nourishing dry hand skin will be useful. This will reduce the risk of skin cracks.
Nail care
With the advent of gel and shellac, which are capable of providing a strong and beautiful manicure for a long period of time, less attention has been paid to the care of hands. Anyone who has ever had their nails extended or covered with shellac knows that the top layer of the natural nail is filed off, and that all layers of applied gel or shellac are exposed to ultraviolet light, which causes overheating of the natural nail plate. Thus, the natural nail becomes thinner, dries out, and the pores become clogged, which blocks the supply of vitamins and minerals to the nail plate from the outside. There are many types of treatments to maintain the health of your natural nails. They can be performed in a salon, some of them are also available at home.
Allergy to shellac
Note! One of the most important procedures for strengthening nails is feeding the nails with vitamins. The easiest way to provide it with the necessary substances is to adhere to proper nutrition. For example, for healthy skin on hands and nails, food must contain calcium and phosphorus, which are found in red fish and dairy products. You can also use individual vitamin complexes purchased at pharmacies.
Another important procedure is to moisturize the cuticle and skin surrounding the nail. Since the pores in these places are open, the necessary components are supplied to the nail, which moisturize and nourish it.
Baths and hand compresses, which can be done both in a beauty salon and at home, also help to maintain the nail in good condition.
Allergenic brands
Which varnishes most often cause an allergic reaction? Of course, these are brands of Chinese manufacturers, such as:
- Bluesky,
- Zivi,
- Kanny,
- Christina.
In the Russian market, Formula Profi nail product has a bad reputation, in the American market - Codi polish. In Japan, people prone to allergies are not recommended to use Mazura brand varnishes, since these products cause an irritable reaction in 10% of clients.
But even these brands in many cases do not cause allergies - much depends on a person’s individual predisposition.
