The increasing popularity of acrylic nail techniques has resulted in a greater incidence of sensitization among both nail technicians and users.

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According to a new study published in Contact Dermatitis, acrylates, recognized as potent allergens, require safety measures when employed in nail techniques.
The study assessed cases of allergic contact dermatitis due to acrylates in individuals exposed to occupational or non-occupational nail techniques. From September 2022 to March 2023, a preliminary study was conducted on 30 allergic contact dermatitis patients at the First Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens, Greece.This study investigated 30 cases of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by acrylates in nail cosmetics. Half of the cases were considered occupational exposures to acrylate-based nail procedures, while half were non-occupational exposures. Patients with occupational exposure had more significant skin involvement, and only half of the nail technicians who continued their jobs and simultaneously stopped their non-occupational exposure to acrylate-based nail procedures showed clinical improvements with the use of gloves. One of the most common allergens in this study group was 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate.

Key findings from the study are:
Thirty female patients with allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates were documented.
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were the common allergens. This tested positive in all 30 patients (100.0%).
Before ACD onset, twenty patients (66.7%) had been exposed to dental procedures involving acrylates.
Nail technicians had extensive skin lesions—40.0% experienced allergic contact dermatitis within the first year of work and 13.3% during their professional practice.
Three technicians had to discontinue their work.
This study found that using acrylates in nail techniques poses a significant risk of allergic reactions, necessitating safety measures to mitigate this risk.Clinicians should suspect acrylates as a potential cause of allergic contact dermatitis in patients with exposure to nail cosmetics, and nail technicians, especially, should be informed regarding the risk of allergic contact dermatitis and be educated on preventive measures.
Reference:
Gkousiaki, M., Karalis, V., Kyritsi, A., Almpani, C., Geronikolou, S., Stratigos, A., Rallis, M., & Tagka, A. (2024). Contact allergy caused by acrylates in nail cosmetics: A pilot study from Greece. Contact Dermatitis. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14485