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| Author: Leslie Johnes |
Allergies and Other Hazards
Other common problems associated with nail products are allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis, a skin rash characterized by redness and itching and sometimes tiny blisters that ooze. (See "Contact Dermatitis: Solutions to Rash Mysteries" in the May 1990 FDA Consumer.)
Certain nail ingredients are known for their tendency to cause allergic reactions. Residual traces of the basic building blocks of acrylic resins ("acrylics") used in artificial nails, for example, can cause redness, swelling and pain in the nail bed. In some cases, the reaction is so severe that the natural nail separates from the nail bed, and although a new nail usually grows in, it may be imperfect if the nail root has been damaged.
Nail strengtheners that contain "free formaldehyde" may cause an irritation or reaction, as can certain other chemicals in nail glues and polishes.
In the late 1970s, use of methyl methacrylate, then a common ingredient in artificial nail products, resulted in FDA receiving a number of reports of injuries and allergic reactions, including damage and deformity of fingernails and contact dermatitis. The ingredient now is rarely used because of legal action against a former manufacturer of methyl methacrylate-containing products and numerous seizures and recalls of such products. Methyl methacrylate has since been replaced with other chemicals, such as ethyl methacrylate. However, according to John Bailey, Ph.D., acting director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors, the replacement chemicals have never been fully studied for safety, and they may be as harmful as methyl methacrylate.
"Our current guidance is that products containing ethyl methacrylate should be used only by trained nail technicians under conditions that minimize exposure and skin contact because of their potential to cause allergies," he said.
Whatever the cause, allergic reactions usually take place where the product has been applied or where it has inadvertently come in contact with other skin surfaces, such as the face, eyelids and neck.
When the offending agent is no longer used, reactions clear up. Sometimes, the user can identify the chemical causing the allergic reaction and avoid it.
Though rare, some nail products can cause illness and even death, particularly if ingested by children. In 1987, a 16-month-old toddler died of cyanide poisoning after swallowing a mouthful of solvent used to remove sculptured artificial fingernails. At least one other youngster was rushed to the emergency room for intensive care after swallowing a similar product. These products contained acetonitrile, a chemical that breaks down into cyanide when swallowed. Since 1990, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has required household glue removers containing more than 500 milligrams of acetonitrile in a single container to carry child-resistant packaging. This includes glue removers for artificial nails.
Nail products also can be dangerous if they get in the eyes. And they can easily catch on fire if exposed to the free flame of the pilot light of a stove, a lit cigarette, or even the heating element of a curling iron.
Consumers should read labels of nail products carefully and heed any warnings.
Healthy Nails
From current consumer habits, one might surmise that the main function of nails is to look good. But nails serve several physiological purposes: They enhance fine touch and fine motor skills and protect the fingers and toes. Doctors also may examine them for indications of serious underlying diseases; for example, clubbed nails (a condition in which fingers or toes thicken and the nails wrap around them) is a classic sign of chronic lung and heart disorders. For those reasons, it's important to keep nails healthy.
With proper care and precautions, nails can be both healthy and attractive.
Precautions for Artificial Nails
* If there is any question about sensitivity to the materials in artificial nails, have one nail done as a test and wait a few days to see if a reaction develops.
* Never apply an artificial nail if the natural nail or skin around it is infected or irritated. Let the infection heal first.
* Read the directions for do-it-yourself nails before applying them, and follow the directions carefully. Save the ingredient list for your doctor in case you have an allergic reaction or other injury.
* Treat your artificial nails with care. They may be stronger than your own, but they still can break and separate. Try not to bump or knock them. Find new ways to do ordinary tasks, like using a pencil to dial or depress the numbers on the phone.
* If an artificial nail separates, dip the fingertip into rubbing alcohol to clean the space between the natural and artificial nails before reattaching the artificial nail. This will help prevent infection.
* Never use household glues for nail repairs. Use only products intended for nail use, and follow directions.
* Don't wear artificial nails for longer than three months at a time. Remove them for one month to give nails a rest.
* Keep nail glues and other poisonous substances out of the reach of children.
Selecting a Safe Nail Salon
To help you decide if a salon provides sanitary nail services, nail and public health experts suggest considering the following:
* Is the salon licensed? Licenses often are posted. If you don't see one, ask.
* Are the nail technicians licensed? These licenses also are usually posted. Ask if you don't see one for your technician.
* How are nail implements sanitized? Autoclaving (heat sterilization) is best, says Ralph Daniel, M.D., a dermatologist in Jackson, Miss. But most states allow chemical sterilizing as long as the implements are immersed in the solution for at least 10 minutes between customers. Ask the technician what the salon's practices are. If they're using a chemical solution, check the product's label for words like "germicidal" to indicate that it is strong enough to kill bacteria. If in doubt, bring your own implements, Daniel suggests.
* Is there a pre-service scrub? Both the nail technician and the client should wash their hands with an antimicrobial soap before nail work begins.
* Is each customer given a fresh bowl of soapy water to soak their nails in and is a new nail file used for each customer? Both practices should be followed.
* Is the facility neat and clean? Paul Kechijian, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology and chief of the nail section at New York University, compares selecting a salon to selecting a restaurant. "Ask yourself when you walk in: Would you want to eat there?" he says.
* Is there a strong smell of fumes? If there is, it's a sign that the facility is poorly ventilated, says John Bailey, Ph.D., acting director of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors. Inhaling the fumes from nail products can make you sick. |
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| You can also reach this article by using: Fingernails:Looking Good While Playing Safe part II, Health & Therapy, Medicine & Medication |
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