Acrylic Allergy Rise Linked to Popular Gel Nails in Women

NOS

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 15:19

More and more people are coming to the Amsterdam UMC with a so-called acrylic allergy that they have contracted from gel nails. With these fake nails, a layer of gel is applied to the nails, which must harden under a UV lamp or LED lamp.

Ten years ago, 2.3 percent of all patients in the Amsterdam hospital tested positive for acrylate allergy. Now the percentage is more than 4 percent.

That is worrying, says dermatologist-allergologist Thomas Rustemeyer to NOS Stories. For example, you can get a rash or become short of breath because of the gel nails.

But an allergy to acrylics can also have major consequences in the future: many medical devices are made from these plastics, such as hearing aids, contact lenses and bone cement. If you have become allergic, your body may no longer accept these aids.

Formerly men, now women

Nowadays, 97 percent of everyone diagnosed with an acrylate allergy at the Amsterdam UMC is female. Ten years ago, these were all men who were exposed to acrylics through their work, such as dental technicians.

According to Rustemeyer, adjustments have been made to these professions so that employees come into less contact with plastics. In the meantime, the group of women with allergies has grown due to the popularity of gel nails.

The allergy can occur if the gel polish comes into contact with the skin or with a wound. “This can happen, especially if the gel polish is wet,” says Rustemeyer. Therefore, the risk is high if the paint under the lamp has not hardened properly.

You can get an allergy in a nail salon if the work is not done carefully, says Rustemeyer. But working yourself with a gel nail set and a lamp is especially dangerous, according to him. “Then it’s all about tinkering, trying things out. And not knowing what you are working with means you don’t know what risk you run.”

Red cuticles

Lotte van Leeuwen (24) bought a package five years ago to do her nails at home. At one point she developed allergy complaints. She had red, dry skin around her eyes for months. “The doctor said: ‘It’s because of the cold weather, here’s a tube of Vaseline, it’s nothing serious.'”

She also developed cracks around her nails, her fingers started to swell and she had red cuticles. “I thought: that must be because of the acetone or the electric file. I didn’t really look for anything behind it.”

• Lotte van LeeuwenLotte van Leeuwen (24)
• Lotte van LeeuwenLotte van Leeuwen with red spots around her eyes

When she developed spots on her neck and felt short of breath, she searched the internet for possible causes and came across the allergy. “I had never heard of anyone becoming allergic to gel nails.”

She can no longer wear the nails, “that’s annoying”. But Van Leeuwen thinks it is worse that she may no longer be eligible for specific medical procedures. “I don’t need an artificial hip or a pacemaker yet, but I hope this won’t cause me any problems later.”

No Dutch problem

More and more women are also contracting the allergy in many other European countries, says Rustemeyer. The Amsterdam hospital shares data with hospitals in Antwerp, Copenhagen, Malmö and Manchester. “They see absolutely the same trend, in some cities it is even worse than here. This is a very big European problem.”

The European figures also include very young girls, says Rustemeyer. “That suggests that parents provide the children with nail polish because it looks cute. They do not realize that the children then become allergic when they are 2.5 or 3 years old. I find it quite distressing.”

Videos are now circulating on TikTok in which women warn each other about the risks of gel nails. “I would also have really liked to see a video like that,” says Van Leeuwen. “Then I might not have had to deal with it for as long.”

The Glittering Trap: Gel Nails and the Rise of Acrylic Allergies!

By Your Very Own Jimmy-atkin-Gervais-Evans Mashup

So, it turns out that the beauty trend of the decade has a bit of a bite—yes, I’m talking about the delightful world of gel nails! While many of us were busy perfecting our selfies with fabulously glossy digits, it seems we might have unknowingly signed up for a secret society of acrylic allergies. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Amsterdam UMC, where they’ve seen a troubling jump from 2.3% to over 4% in patients testing positive for this alarming condition. Almost makes you think twice before sliding that credit card across the salon counter, doesn’t it?

A Beautiful Disaster

You see, gel nails aren’t just a fashion choice; they’re now emerging as the leading cause of panic among Dutch women (sorry, blokes, you’ve been replaced in the allergy department). Dr. Thomas Rustemeyer, the dermatologist-allergologist echoing warnings like a Spiderman of skin, points out that it’s not just red cuticles we’re dealing with here. We’re talking about rashes, shortness of breath—basically, all the thrills of a horror movie but without the popcorn and air conditioning!

From Men to Women: The Great Nail Switcheroo

Ten years ago, most folks allergic to acrylics were men with jobs like dental technicians. Now, we’ve flipped the script, and it’s a predominantly female audience at the Amsterdam hospital reeling from this beautifying blunder. How’s that for equality? “New levels of fabulous” have taken a nasty little turn! With the rise in popularity of gel nails, the dermatology scene has turned into an emergency room quicker than you can say “Manicure!”

The Science of Non-Science

Fear not, though! Mr. Rustemeyer assures us—if the gel polish doesn’t touch your skin, you’re likely to be fine. But let’s be honest: who checks for that in the nail salon? It may as well be a game of Russian roulette but with a side of glitter. And if you’re giving it a go at home, it’s a DIY science experiment where the stakes are nothing less than your precious skin health. Tinkering with UV lamps? Sounds fun! But it’s like trying to bake a cake without knowing how to turn on the oven!

Beware: Your Next Gel Nail Might Be Your Last

Take Lotte van Leeuwen, a savvy 24-year-old who confidently bought a gel nail kit five years ago. Now, she’s a cautionary tale of red spots and swollen fingers—much worse than any “don’t wear white after Labor Day” faux pas! Initially dismissed by her doctor with advice straight out of the “what not to do” handbook, Lotte turned to the internet—a place where diagnoses go to die to figure out she had an allergy. She’s now expressing concern over the future, as she worries she won’t be eligible for medical treatments due to her newfound sensitivity. Not the kind of foresight you want in your late twenties, am I right?

Not Just a Dutch Problem

Oh, but wait! This isn’t just a small-town issue; it’s becoming quite the European epidemic. Apparently, children are now getting in on the act too, thanks to parents who think nail polish is adorably cute. Spoiler alert: allergies don’t discriminate based on age! Little ones slapping on gel nails for their first dance recital may want to rethink their career in performing arts before they even begin!

The TikTok Truth

As it stands, women are warning each other on TikTok about the perils lurking under those twinkling nail covers. Young Lotte finally found a community sharing information, with tips that may have saved her from becoming the poster child for acrylic allergy awareness. Where were these DIY health videos when we needed them? Like a panto villain, gel nails are now lurking in the shadows, waiting to jump at unsuspecting beauty enthusiasts.

In conclusion: Before you plunge your fingers into another batch of glittery gel creations, remember that all that glitters is not gold! Stay safe, keep your skin intact, and maybe consider a good ol’ fashioned nail polish…or just embrace the nubby nail look. At least you won’t be a statistic!